subject: Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 2012 In India | Ganesha Utsav Celebration [print this page] Lord Ganesha, son of Shiv & Parvati is one of the most worshiped God of India. He is the God of wisdom & prosperity. Ganesha, the elephant head God is depicted with large ears, long trunk, a pot belly, short legs, tiny eyes and a large forehead. The little mouse is Ganeshas vehicle and the Lord has four arms.
Popular names of Ganesha are Vighnesha (Lord of Obstacles ) or Vinayaka who removes all obstacles which come in the success of any work. So, the worship of Ganesha is important before the beginning any work, Ekadanta (one who has one tusk), Lambodara (one who has a pot belly), Gajanana (having the face of an elephant and Pillaiyar (Tamil for noble child).
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of India which marks the the birthday of the lovable Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi also called as Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav is celebrated by Hindus with great devotion & enthusiasm all over the state of India.
As per Hindu calendar Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of Bhadarapada month. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 19, 2012 . The word chaturthi also implies fourth but most of you who are not familiar with the Hindu Calendar wont be knowing this.
Most popular legend about the birth of Lord Ganesha is that Parvati is said to have created him from clay to protect her unknown to her husband, Lord Shiva. As Ganesha sits on guard at his mothers home, Lord Shiva comes home but is not allowed in by Ganesha. In a fit of anger, Shiva chops of Ganeshas head. When goddess Parvati learns of her sons loss, she is distraught and demands her husband bring her son back to life. The lord orders his men to find any sleeping being with a head facing north. His men see an elephant and instantly do as instructed. Thus is Ganesh reborn, but this time with the head of an elephant. Ganesha has a younger brother Skanda or Kartika
So, Hindus believe on the Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, Lord Sri Ganesha bestowed this presence to his followers.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration:
Lord Ganesha is worshipped all over India as the destroyer of obstacles. But in South India Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a big way spreading over a period of 10 days or 12 days. Ganpati ( Ganesha ) idols or statues are brought home and pujas are conducted at home as well as community idols.
On the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi i.e on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period) or Ganesha Visarjan, these Ganesha idols are taken in a procession for visarjan or immersion, to the nearby river, lake or sea. As the idols are immersed in water, it is believed that any misfortunes that may afflict the family are also washed away. This year Ananta Chaturdasi is on September 29, 2012.
