Ganesh Chaturthi

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Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festival in India. It is

the day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati was born. The

day thus marks the auspicious birth of one of the most important Hindu God. This

day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in many parts of

the country. It is celebrated on of fourth day of the waxing moon period in the

month of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian

calendar, this day falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival is

celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for ten

days. If you want to explore the origin and history of this festival, you can

refer to the article given here.

 

Origin

 

According to the legend, the festival marks the auspicious day of the birth of

Lord Ganesha. The story goes as follows- Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of

resolution, was away from Kailash due to some work. As Parvati was alone at

home, she felt the necessity of some one to guard the door to her house while

she took bath. When she did not get any one, she conceived of the idea of

creating a son who could guard her. She then created Ganesha out of her

sandalwood paste and breathed life into the idol. She then asked him to stand on

the gate and do not let any body enter until she came out. Unfortunately, Shiva

returned home in the meantime. As, Ganesha did recognize him, he stopped Shiva

from entering as per his mother's advice. This badly enraged Lord Shiva, who cut

off Ganesha's head by his trident. When Parvati saw beheaded Ganesha, took on

the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened to destruct all the three worlds.

 

The earth, the heaven, the nether world, all was shaken and every body ran to

Shiva for solution. In order to appease Lord Parvati and save the world from

destruction, Lord Shiva sent out his followers to find a child whose mother is

facing another direction in negligence, cut off his head and bring it quickly.

The first such child that came in the eyes of the Shiva followers was an

elephant, so they brought the head of this elephant and Shiva placed it on the

trunk of Parvati's son and gave life into him. Parvati was the overwhelmed with

happiness and embraced her son. They named her Ganesha i.e the Lord of all Ganas

(followers).

 

History

 

Though the festival is being celebrated since times immemorial, the present kind

of celebrations of Ganesha Chaturthi came in fashion in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak, an

Indian freedom fighter and social reformer reshaped the annual Ganesh festival

from a private family celebration into a community event. The day was conceived

to be the National Festival in order to bridge the gap between the Brahmins and

the non-Brahmins in the society. Tilak chose this festival for this purpose

because Lord Ganesh was considered to be the ' God of Everyman'. It then served

as a meeting ground for people of all community and religion on a public

platform. Since then the festival has served its cause of existence. Even now

people irrespective of caste and community barriers celebrate this festival with

great joy.

 

Om Shri Vigneshwaraya Namaha !