Ganesh Chaturthi – A vibrant festival celebrated with great devotion. The 10-day annual festival Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with full enthusiasm across the country. The festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha (a Hindu deity) who is worshipped to remove obstacles and bring in good fortune. As per the Hindu belief, Lord Ganesha is also considered as the god of new beginnings, and the festival is celebrated in August or September. This is one amongst all the festivals in India which is celebrated on a huge scale all over India and mainly in the states Maharashtra. More than 125 years ago, the festival originated in Pune and the idea behind starting the festival was to bring in all castes and classes together under one roof and unite them against British rule. In Budhwar Peth, the idol at Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple is of historical importance and popularity.
Ganesh Chaturthi – A vibrant festival celebrated with great devotion. During the 10-day long Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi, several people bring Ganesha idols at home, offices, or local pandals. The idol is placed on raised platforms and space is fully decorated. The prasad (offerings) made to the Lord include modak, payasam, coconut rice, motichoor laddoo, shrikhand, and many other sweets. A huge celebration goes around, decorative pandals are made across the streets in Maharashtra mainly in Mumbai and other parts of India as well. Devotees pay their homage to deity, visits temples during these 10th days, and on the 1.5th day, 5th day or 10th day, the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in water which is famously known as Ganpati Visarjan.
In India festivals are celebrated loud and with full enthusiasm, the charisma and vibes are very vibrant and auspicious. While Ganpati Visarjan, devotees keep chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ as they bid farewell to the Lord.
Amongst the other 108 names, also known as Ganesh, Gajadant, Gajanana, the charming way to experience the festival is in Mumbai. The entire city lits up and is decorated and the festival is specially celebrated at Siddhivinayak temple. The celebration is all around the city and devotees celebrate the festival in full enthusiasm.
Mythological story
It is believed that Ganesha was made by Goddess Parvati with the use of sandalwood paste and she considered him as one of her children. While Goddess was in bath, she asked Ganesha to guard the entrance. Well, after some time Lord Shiva arrives and desires to enter the premises but Ganesha following the instruction given by the Goddess forbid Lord Shiva to enter. This angered Lord Shiva and he severed baby Ganesha’s head. Seeing this Goddess Parvati was heartbroken and then Lord Shiva promised to her to bring back life to Lord Ganesha. To fulfill his promise, Lord Shiva instructed his followers to get the head of the first noticed living creature and that would replace it on Ganesha’s body. His followers noticed baby elephant and came back with his head and this how Ganesha was brought back to life and this is when he was named as the leader of Ganas, Ganapati by Lord Shiva.
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