GANESHA
CHATURTHI
Introduction:- Ganesha Chaturthi is a Hindu festival. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Sri Ganeshaotsav, Vinayaka Chaviti. As per Hindu Panchang (i.e. Hindu calendar) it is celebrated from the day of Shukla Chaturthi to chaturdashi (i.e. 4th day to 14th day of waxing moon) in the month of Bhadrapada (Bhadon). Thus, it is celebrated continuously for 10 days. In this year it is celebrated on Friday, 10th September. It is celebrated as the birthday of an elephant headed Hindu God ‘Sri Ganesha’. They are worshipped as the Lord of new beginnings, lord of success, Lord of intelligence and destroyer of obstacles, etc. Sri Ganesha is a Hindu God but even then they are an ideal God of many other religion people also. That is why, Sri ganesha are also worshiped by many other religion people.
Sri Ganesha
How & why it is celebrated:- On the day of Shukla Chaturthi of the month of
Bhaadrapada, the clay statues of Sri Ganesha are placed by the people in their
homes and on some public places also. The ritual of ‘Prana Pratishtha’ is made
by Pujari ji (Hindu priest) and then special worship is made with very
reverence to the statues of Sri Ganesha for 9 days. Many types of dishes are
offered to Sri Ganesha and also distributed among the devotees as parsaad. It
is believed that Modak is a favorite sweet dish of Sri Ganesha. On the last
(10th) day ritual of Sri Ganesha Visarjan (i.e. immersion) is performed by
devotees in the water bodies like sea, lake, etc. The believe behind all of
this process or celebration is that on the first day of festival Sri Ganesha was
came from kailash parvat (i.e. Kailash mount) with Goddess Parvati and stay
here between us for 9 days and on the 10th day they went back to Kailash
parvat.
Different names of Sri Ganesha:- Sri Ganesha is also known as Ganpati, Vinayaka, Ekdant, Gaurinandan,
Shubhkarta, Gajanan, Bhalchandra, Sri Ganeshawar, Lambodar, Gauriputra,
Vighanharta, Sidhivinayaka, Budhipati, etc.
Brief history of Sri Ganesha / How they
was Born:- Sri Ganesha is the son of Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Below is a brief family history of Sri Ganesha:-
|
Relation |
Names |
|
Father |
Lord
Shiva |
|
Mother |
Goddess
Parvati |
|
Spouse |
Ridhi
& Sidhi (two daughters of Lord Vishwakarma), but in some places it is
also belived that Sri Ganesha was Bal Brahamachari (never married). |
|
Brothers |
Kartikeya
(Sri Ganesha have some other brothers also from other wives of his father
like Sukesh, Ayyappa, Bhuma, Jalandhar, etc. |
|
Sisters |
Ashoksundari,
Devi Jyoti (also known as Jawalamukhi devi) and Mansa Devi. |
|
Sons |
Shubh
& Labh. |
|
Daughters |
Santoshi
Mata (Goddess). |
|
Vehicle |
Mouse. |
As described in Sri Ganesha Purana (a Hindu text) they were born on the
day of Shukla Chaturthi of Bhaadrapada month, but as per Lord Shiva
Purana (another Hindu text) they were born on the day of Krishna Chaturthi
of Bhaadrapada month. But some other people also believes that they never born.
They exist before this universe and will exist after this world. Actually they
are Anaad (begningless) and Ananta (endless), which means they never got birth
and will never die. This belief is based on the fact that – as per the
instructions from sage monks the self Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati worship to
Lord Ganpati on their (Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati’s) own marriage. So
when self Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati worshiped the Sri Ganesha at their
marriage then how can Sri Ganesha be the son of them. This has also been
explained by Goswami Tulsidas ji, he has written as follows:-
मुनि अनुशासन गनपति हि पूजेहु
शंभु भवानि।
कोउ सुनि संशय करै जनि सुर अनादि
जिय जानि।।
English Conversion:-
Muni
Anushaasan Ganpati Hey Poojehu Shambhoo Bhawaani.
Koyu Sun
Sanshay Karai Jan Sur Anaad Jiye Jaani..
They was never born this belief can also be
explained through a birth story of Sri Ganesha (Sri Ganesha katha) described in
Lord Shiva Purana. As per this katha (story), before bathing with the scum of
her body, Goddess Parvati created a boy child (Sri Ganesha) and told him that
you are my son. Goddess Parvati instructed them that stand at the door of their
(of Goddess Parvati) bath room and not allow anyone to enter inside. (Complete
story is given in the last of this article). From this point of view also it
can be said that they never born rather they are created by Goddess Parvati.
But in Vedas (i.e. oldest Hindu text) in place of name of Sri Ganesha the name
‘Ganpati’ is used and in the Vedas it is also described that Sri Ganesha are an
incarnation of Lord Ganpati. So if we see from this point of view, it is
correct that Sri Ganesha was born and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were their
parents.
History of festival (Sri Ganesha Chaturthi):- It is believed that this festival is celebrating since
the reigns of Marathas in 17th century. The Maratha Empire Chhatrapati Lord Shivaji
(1630-1680) started to celebrate the festival of ‘Sri Ganesha Chaturthi’ as
public/national festival. This was continued to celebrate as a public function
on a large scale for many years. But in order to suppress the protests or voice
of freedom fighters, British impose a new law i.e. section-144. Under this new
law, gatherings or public events were no longer allowed. Therefore, now like
other Indian festivals 'Ganesha Chaturthi' was also closed to celebrate
publicly. Now this festival has been confined to indoors only and it became a
household worship.
Around 1894, Bal Gangadhar
Tilak (also known as Lokmanya Tilak) raised his voice against British law. He
gathered people and inspired them to re-celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi as a public
festival, because the law of that time could not prevent people from gathering
for religious purpose. After this, gradually this festival started being
celebrated on a large scale. And even today this festival is celebrated with
great enthusiasm as a public function.
Ganesh Visarjan
Bal Katha:- There are several stories for the birth of Sri Ganesha. The
two most commonly known birth stories of Sri Ganesha are as below:-
(1) As mentioned in Shri Ganesha Chalisa, Goddess Parvati did a severe penance
to Lord Ganapati to have a son. Pleased with her penance, Ganapati granted her
a boon that she would get the most divine and intelligent son without
pregnancy. After some time Goddess Parvati got a son. (It was Lord Ganapati
himself in the incarnation of a child). The child was very handsome and
charming. All the gods had come to see and bless the child. Shanidev was also
come. But Shanidev had received a curse from his wife that when he sees a
child, that child's head will be severed from the body. For this he did not
want to come in front of Goddess Parvati's child. But Goddess Parvati forces
them to come in front and see the child. Then Shanidev hesitantly went to the
child, but due to the curse when Shani Dev saw the child, his head was severed
from the body and flew into the sky. The atmosphere of joy turned into
mourning. Goddess Parvati got upset. Shanidev apologized and told him that it
was because of his curse, he did not do anything intentionally. Then Lord
Vishnu went to find the head of the best child as per the instructions of Lord Shiva.
Lord Vishnu brought the head of an elephant’s baby. Lord Shiva placed the head
of the elephant on the torso of his child (Shri Ganesh). Then he put life in it
and named that child ‘Ganesha’. And thus Shri Ganesha became the
elephant-headed god.
The above story of Sri Ganesha is described
in “Ganesha Chalisa” as under:-
कहौ जन्म शुभ कथा
तुम्हारी।
अति शुचि पावन मंगल
कारी॥
एक समय गिरिराज कुमारी।
पुत्र हेतु तप कीन्हा
भारी॥
भयो यज्ञ जब पूर्ण
अनूपा।
तब पहुंच्यो तुम धरि
द्विज रूपा।
अतिथि जानि कै गौरी
सुखारी।
बहु विधि सेवा करी
तुम्हारी॥
अति प्रसन्न ह्वै तुम वर
दीन्हा।
मातु पुत्र हित जो तप
कीन्हा॥
मिलहि पुत्र तुहि बुद्धि
विशाला।
बिना गर्भ धारण यहि
काला॥
गणनायक गुण ज्ञान
निधाना।
पूजित प्रथम रूप भगवाना॥
अस कहि अन्तर्धान रूप
ह्वै।
पलना पर बालक स्वरूप
ह्वै॥
बनि शिशु रुदन जबहि तुम
ठाना।
लखि मुख सुख नहिं गौरि
समाना॥
सकल मगन सुख मंगल
गावहिं।
नभ ते सुरन सुमन
वर्षावहिं॥
शम्भु उमा बहुदान
लुटावहिं।
सुर मुनि जन सुत देखन
आवहिं॥
लखि अति आनन्द मंगल
साजा।
देखन भी आए शनि राजा॥
निज अवगुण गुनि शनि मन
माहीं।
बालक देखन चाहत नाहीं॥
गिरजा कछु मन भेद
बढ़ायो।
उत्सव मोर न शनि तुहि
भायो॥
कहन लगे शनि मन सकुचाई।
का करिहौ शिशु मोहि
दिखाई॥
नहिं विश्वास उमा कर
भयऊ।
शनि सों बालक देखन
कह्यऊ॥
पड़तहिं शनि दृग कोण
प्रकाशा।
बालक शिर उड़ि गयो
आकाशा॥
गिरजा गिरीं विकल ह्वै
धरणी।
सो दुख दशा गयो नहिं
वरणी॥
हाहाकार मच्यो कैलाशा।
शनि कीन्ह्यों लखि सुत
को नाशा॥
तुरत गरुड़ चढ़ि विष्णु
सिधाए।
काटि चक्र सो गज शिर
लाए॥
बालक के धड़ ऊपर धारयो।
प्राण मन्त्र पढ़ शंकर
डारयो॥
नाम गणेश शम्भु तब
कीन्हे।
प्रथम पूज्य बुद्धि निधि
वर दीन्हे॥
(2) There is another famous birth story of Shri Ganesha.
According to Lord Shiva Purana, before taking a bath, Goddess Parvati
manifested a child (Sri Ganesha) with the scum of her body and told him that
you are my son. Goddess Parvati instructed them that stand at the door of their
(of Goddess Parvati) bath room and do not let anyone to enter inside. At the
behest of their mother, they stand at the door. At that time Lord Shiva reached
there. They tried to enter inside but Shri Ganesha did not allow him to enter
inside. Shiva-Ganas (i.e. attendants of Lord Shiva) opposed it and tried to
convince the child. But he didn’t listen them. This debate had now turned into
a fierce battle between the Shiva-ganas and the child. But no one could beat
that kid. Then in anger Lord Shiva cut off his head with his trident.
When Goddess Parvati came to know about
this, she became furious. And in anger she decided to bring holocaust to the
whole universe. Then all the Deva-Ganas (Gods) begged her not to do this. And
then Lord Shiva told to Lord Vishnu to go in the north direction and bring the
head of the child found first, but the condition is that his mother should be
sleeping by showing the back to him (her child). As per the instruction of Lord
Shiva the Lord Vishnu went to found the head of a child by riding on his Garura
(vehicle of Lord Vishnu). After searching for a long time the Lord Vishnu
brought the head of an elephant baby. Lord Shiva placed the head of the
elephant on the torso of his child (Shri Ganesha) and put life in it and named
that child ‘Ganesha’. And thus Shri Ganesha became the elephant-headed god.
Conclusion:- Shri Ganesha Chaturthi is a Hindu festival. It is
celebrated on the Shukla Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month (as per the Hindu
calendar). It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha and lasts for 10
days. People bring clay idols of Lord Shri Ganesha and install them in their
homes or in any public place and immerse them in nearby water bodies with great
reverence on the 10th day. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in many parts
of India. Shri Ganesha is the god of success and the destroyer of obstacles.
Jai Shree Ganesha.
Regards: - Thanks friends to come on our website
and read our article. We hope that you are satisfied with our article and got
your desired answer or information about the festival of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi.
We wish you a very Happy Ganesha Chaturthi and best of luck for your good
health and success in life. May Lord Sri Ganesha Bless You.
Please comment below on our
articles and suggest us about any error you have found in our articles and
about any updation.
Please
share our articles and websites to others also. Thanks again and keep smiling.
Keep Smiling
Post a Comment