Ganesh Chaturthi
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi -- is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Goa. It is the most important festival for the people of Maharashtra in India where He is lovingly referred to as "Ganpati."
This festival usually falls between 15th August and 15th September according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is celebrated for 10 days and on the last day i.e. the 11th day, the idol of Lord Ganesh is taken in a big procession to be immersed in the sea.with joyous cries of ''Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudchya varshi lavkar ya'' meaning Lord Ganesh, victory be to you. Come again soon at this time next year. The idol is taken to be immersed in the sea. The immersion is symbolic of Lord Ganesh going to his home in the mountains of Kailash.
The preparations for this festival starts at least two months before the festival. Images of Lord Ganesh is made from clay by artisans and beautifully decorated and kept for selling in the markets. There are various sizes from small ones to huge. The smaller ones are taken by individuals to their homes for celebrations with the full family and the huge ones are taken to be installed for community viewing in a temporary structure of bamboo and cloth called 'pandal.'
The deity is installed in the pandal and in the homes by the chanting of Vedic mantras by the priests. Then there are daily rituals like aarti or offering of fire and chanting of prayers. Flower garlands and incense are offered to the deity. Lord Ganesh is very fond of a sweet called 'Modak' which is duly offered to Him.
The festival lasts for 10 days and it is celebrated privately in homes as well as on the public platform for the community to worship the Lord. During the 10 days celebrations, there are entertainment programmes like musical orchestra, competitions for children, plays, movies so that people can enjoy these days happily.
The religious rituals are conducted till the day of immersion. At last, when the day of immersion dawns, you see people making preparations for the idol to be taken for immersion. The people feel as if a member of their family is taking leave of them and there is a lump in the throat.
They shout joyously,'' Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudchya varshi lavkar ya '' meaning Lord Ganesh, victory be to you. Come again soon at this time next year. The idol is taken to be immersed in the sea. The immersion is symbolic of Lord Ganesh going to his home in the mountains of Kailash.
There is a sea of humanity at the various water fronts. It is really a sight to see ! Thus ends this festival and people look forward to celebrating it with renewed zest in the following year.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi -- is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Goa. It is the most important festival for the people of Maharashtra in India where He is lovingly referred to as "Ganpati."
This festival usually falls between 15th August and 15th September according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is celebrated for 10 days and on the last day i.e. the 11th day, the idol of Lord Ganesh is taken in a big procession to be immersed in the sea.with joyous cries of ''Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudchya varshi lavkar ya'' meaning Lord Ganesh, victory be to you. Come again soon at this time next year. The idol is taken to be immersed in the sea. The immersion is symbolic of Lord Ganesh going to his home in the mountains of Kailash.
The preparations for this festival starts at least two months before the festival. Images of Lord Ganesh is made from clay by artisans and beautifully decorated and kept for selling in the markets. There are various sizes from small ones to huge. The smaller ones are taken by individuals to their homes for celebrations with the full family and the huge ones are taken to be installed for community viewing in a temporary structure of bamboo and cloth called 'pandal.'
The deity is installed in the pandal and in the homes by the chanting of Vedic mantras by the priests. Then there are daily rituals like aarti or offering of fire and chanting of prayers. Flower garlands and incense are offered to the deity. Lord Ganesh is very fond of a sweet called 'Modak' which is duly offered to Him.
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| Modak |
The festival lasts for 10 days and it is celebrated privately in homes as well as on the public platform for the community to worship the Lord. During the 10 days celebrations, there are entertainment programmes like musical orchestra, competitions for children, plays, movies so that people can enjoy these days happily.
The religious rituals are conducted till the day of immersion. At last, when the day of immersion dawns, you see people making preparations for the idol to be taken for immersion. The people feel as if a member of their family is taking leave of them and there is a lump in the throat.
They shout joyously,'' Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudchya varshi lavkar ya '' meaning Lord Ganesh, victory be to you. Come again soon at this time next year. The idol is taken to be immersed in the sea. The immersion is symbolic of Lord Ganesh going to his home in the mountains of Kailash.
There is a sea of humanity at the various water fronts. It is really a sight to see ! Thus ends this festival and people look forward to celebrating it with renewed zest in the following year.
