Ganesh Chaturthi
Morya re, Bappa Morya re!
Ganpatti Bappa Morya! That is a chant you will often hear in India. However, it is most common and prominent during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh Chaturthi or the Ganpati festival as it is fondly called is a largely Hindu festival but it is celebrated by people of all castes and religions. This festival is celebrated because Lord Ganesh was born on this day. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is a strong figure in the Indian mythology and a very celebrated one. He is also popular with the children of India. Hence, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale in India.
God Bless Me!
It is the faith of the devotees that Lord Ganesha graces the world with his presence on the days of the Ganesha festival. Hence, these days are celebrated in India with a lot of grandeur. Right from the day on which Lord Ganesha was born up to the next 10 days there is celebration in the air. A large number of devotees honor the festival by keeping an idol of Lord Ganesha in their houses. This idol is immersed in water after 10 days. Lord Ganesha is considered to bring in good luck in the days that he is present. Usually, it is Lord Ganesha who is supposed to be worshipped before any other God.
Lord Ganesha over all others
Lord Ganesha is worshipped everytime one is to start a business venture, embark upon a travel, enter into a marriage etc. It is because according to the laws of Hindu Mythology, one is supposed to pray to Lord Ganesha before praying to anyone else. Ganpati and Ganesh Chaturthi are common names of the festival. It is often called as Vinayaka Chaturthi. If one had to translate it into English, it would be called the festival of Ganesha. Though, it falls somewhere in August or September in the English calendar, it is celebrated in the Bhaadrapada month as per the Hindu calendar.
The Hindu Calendar and the Dates of the Festival
It is necessary to mark the beginning of Shukla Chaturthi because that is when one would mark the first day of Ganpati festival. According to the English calendar, Shukla Chaturthi is the 4th day of the waxing moon period. It ends on Anant Chatudarshi which is the 14th day of the waxing moon period. Thus, this is how the festival lasts for a period of 10 days and falls somewhere between August and September. Sometimes, it begins on July end or first week of August but this is a very very rare occurrence. Otherwise it is post mid-august towards September.
India and Abroad Alike - Ganpat
The festival is prominent in all of India but people from Mumbai, Surat, Chennai, Goa and southern part of India are the most excited about it and celebrate it with the loudest of sounds of drum beats and other such festivities. A wave of happiness sweeps across the country during the celebration of this festival. However, India isn’t the only country where this festival is celebrated. It is widely celebrated in countries such as Nepal, U.S.A, and Canada etc. Basically, Hindus who have settled down in any part of this world, celebrate the festival of Lord Ganesha. Even in countries like Trinidad and Mauritius, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated.
It is a Fun Festival
Everything that this festival comprises of is really fun and exciting. Coloured faces hidden in the crowd, admiring the idol of Lord Ganesha in prayer. No wonder, everyone waits for this festival with bated breath. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the country. Of course, the festival comes with its own sets of rituals and they are rigorously followed by everyone who observes the festivities. It has become a tradition in a lot of homes to place the Ganpati idol in the house every year. A large number of domestic chores have to be looked into before the idol is placed.
It is a Street Fest
The festival is celebrated differently in different states. No 2 states have the same style of celebrating the festival. The dances, the traditions, the rituals etc. are all different in each and every state even in India. Even different kinds of food items are prepared all over India for Ganesh Chaturthi. Modak is one of the most prepared food items all over India. Modak is a favourite of nearly everyone and is a sweet dish prepared in the shape of a peda. The celebrations are very public and people hit the streets. People dance like crazy while bringing in and immersing the idol.
The history and the grandeur that this festival brings with it is quite exciting and the entire country is wrapped in an enigma during the celebrations of the Festival of Lord Ganesha.