Ganesh Chaturthi
What is Ganesh Chaturthi? Ganesh Chaturthi (also Vinayaka Chaturthi), a major Hindu festival, is observed in honor of the birthday, actually rebirth, of the Lord Ganesha, i.e., Lord of Wisdom.
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed for 10 days in Bhadra month that starts on the Shukla Chaturthi, and ends on the Anant Chaturdashi.
Why is it celebrated? People celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi festival to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is believed to obstacles from ones life. Hence, he is also known as ‘Vighna Harta?
Who celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi? Where is it celebrated? The Hindus staying in India or in any other country mainly observe Ganesh Chaturthi.
In India, it is celebrated in Karnataka and Maharashtra and some parts of Western and Southern India.
It is also widely celebrated in Nepal and by the Hindus staying in United States, Singapore, Canada, and Thailand, etc. Ganesh Chaturthi is the time, which helps family and friends to have a get-together from their busy schedule.
How devotees celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi? Ganesh Chaturthi is largely observed in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and some parts of Madhya Pradesh. It is the most spectacular festival of Maharashtra.
This festival is starts with the installation of clay images of the Lord Ganesha, in pandals or at homes. The worship of Lord Ganesha continues for several days. Thousands of devotees gather at various places to take part in the festive event. Varieties of herbal plants and leaves are offered to Lord Ganesha.
Devotees take part in huge colourful processions with sounds of cymbals and drums. This is a great day of rejoicing for all. Dances and music add to the picturesqueness. The devotees chant together some words that means – ‘O Father Ganesha, Come Again Early in the Next Year?.
Paragraph/Essay/Speech No. 02
Ganesh Chaturthi
Introduction: Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular and famous India festivals. It is celebrated in schools and colleges, shops and offices. Hindus also observe it at home and perform this Puja with great devotion.
Of course, Lord Ganesha is invoked in the beginning of every Puja as Gananayak and Vighna-nashak. But, the puja during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is observed once in the year with great interest and enthusiasm.
Mythology: The image of Lord Ganesha with a human body and an elephant’s head is very interesting to watch. It is said that once Lord Shiva, not knowing that Ganesha was his son, killed him out of anger and ignorance and when Parvati insisted that the boy should be given life immediately. Lord Shiva fixed an elephant’s head on Ganesha’s shoulder. From that day Ganesha is being worshipped as the god of learning, knowledge and Vidya fighting against Avidya and ignorance. He is worshipped as Gajanana. This story is mentioned in the Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana.
Remarkable things about Lord Ganesha: There are two other remarkable things about Lord Ganesha. That he is only one toothed whereas other elephants have two teeth. In this connection it is said that once Parasurama wanted to visit Shiva and Paravati. But he was not allowed by Ganesha. A fight ensured between the two and in the course of this fight Ganesha lost one of his teeth. Another remarkable thing is that lord Ganesha has a rat as his ‘Vahana’. There are also many interesting stories as to why he chose the rat as his Vahana.
Conclusion: In this way Ganesha has a great mythological significance and his worship once in the year is also of great significance. Ganesha and Saraswati are specially worshipped by students in the schools and colleges. Students perform puja during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival with great pomp as they believe that Lord Ganesha will remove all obstacles from the path of their life and will bless them with knowledge and wisdom.
