IMPORTANCE OF GANESHOTSAV

Ganesh Utsav starts from the establishment of Ganpati Bappa on the day of Bhadrapada Chaturthi and continues till the immersion on the day of Chaturdashi and during this period Ganpati ji is worshiped ritually. Modak, Akinchan, Durva, and Naivedya are very dear to Shri Ganesh, hence offer these things to him during these 10 days. Before doing any auspicious work like marriage, marriage ceremony, etc., only Lord Ganesha is remembered, after that other gods and goddesses are worshiped, and auspicious, auspicious works are done.

Lord Ganesha is revered as the first day in Hindu religion, hence Ganesh Chaturthi has more importance. It is considered auspicious to remember Lord Shri Ganesha before worshiping any deity, any festival any wedding program, or performing auspicious works. Also, worshiping Lord Shri Ganesha in your homes on this day and installing his idol maintains happiness in the house and gives blessings of peace in life. It is believed that by observing fast on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi or installing Lord Ganapati in the house, Goddess Lakshmi resides in that house and with the immersion of Ganapati on the day of Chaturdashi, she removes all the problems and troubles of her devotees.

AUSPICIOUS TIME AND PUJA METHOD FOR WORSHIP OF GANESH CHATURTHI

The date of Ganesh Chaturthi has started from 18 September 2023 at 12:39 pm and this Chaturthi will end the next day on 19 September 2023 at 1:43 pm. The auspicious time to worship Lord Shri Ganesha on the day of Ganeshotsav is from 10:50 a.m. to 12:52 p.m. on 19th September. According to some astrologers, the auspicious time for the installation of the idol of Lord Shri Ganesha will be from 11:07 to 1:34 in the morning of Ganesh Chaturthi on 19 September 2023.

According to the Vedic calendar, Ganpati Bappa is bid farewell i.e. immersed on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. According to the calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi will end this year on 28 September 2023 and Ganesh ji will be immersed on this Anant Chaturdashi day.

On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After taking a bath, take a resolution for Ganesh Chaturthi fast. Clean the puja room on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Install the idol of Lord Shri Ganesha and worship him with full rituals. For worship, establish a post in the northeast corner during the auspicious time. Spread a red or yellow colored cloth and place Lord Shri Ganesha on the platform. Pay homage to Lord Ganesha in 16 forms and worship him with full rituals for the next 10 days. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, offer laddus and modaks to Lord Ganesha. Apart from laddu and modak, you can prepare any other dish and offer it. The ritual of Uttar Puja is performed during Ganesh Mahotsav. After the installation of Lord Ganesha, it is mandatory to perform this ritual to take his idol somewhere. In the last part of Ganesh Mahotsav, the ritual of Ganpati Visarjan takes place in which the installed idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in water. Do not forget to organize Bhandara etc. at the end of Ganesh Mahotsav.

GANESH CHATURTHI IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement in all parts of India. However, there are some regional variations in the way the festival is celebrated.

This festival is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Maharashtra. Big pandals are made in public places and idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in them. The pandals are decorated with flowers, lights, and other decorations. Devotees visit pandals to worship Lord Ganesha and participate in cultural festivities.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival is known as Vinayaka Chavithi. It is celebrated like Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra. However, there are some minor differences in customs and rituals.

In Karnataka, this festival is known as Ganesh Habba. Both Hindus and Jains celebrate it with great enthusiasm. Devotees install the idol of Lord Ganesha in their homes and temples and worship him with flowers, fruits, and sweets.

In Tamil Nadu, this festival is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is celebrated like Ganesh Habba in Karnataka. However, there are some minor differences in customs and rituals.