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Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Come August, preparations to celebrate the great festival of Ganesh Chaturthi begin with great enthusiasm all over India - the auspicious day when the elephant-headed son of Shiva (Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva's consort) was born. Although this festival is observed in all parts of India, it is celebrated both publicly and privately with maximum fervour in the state of Maharashtra. Clay idols of various sizes of this God fill the sidewalks of the city of Bombay, now called Mumbai. So if you are anywhere close to the city of Mumbai in India, ensure you are there for Ganesha's birthday. It will surely be a day that you shall look back upon with wonder.
The legend behind the birth of Ganesha is perhaps the most fascinating in Indian mythology. Centuries ago during a war between the Gods and the Demons, Lord Shiva from home for a long time. His wife, Goddess Parvati, afraid of being alone for such an extended period used her divine powers and created a son, Ganesh, and gave him the responsibility of protecting the house. Parvati was in her bath when Lord Shiva returned home victorious, and Ganesh did not let Him in. Angered by this, Lord Shiva chopped off Ganesha's head. When Parvati came out of her bath, she was shocked and grieved to see her son dead. Lord Shiva proclaimed that the head of Ganesh would be replaced by that of the first creature that came up the hill. The first visitor to the hill was an elephant and his head was promptly cut off and placed on Ganesh, and life was restored to the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. To pacify Parvati and compensate for the act of killing the boy, Lord Shiva blessed him and bestowed upon Ganesh the powers of a God that henceforth no activity will begin without invoking His name and blessings. Shiva also made him the leader or 'pati' of his troops. Hence Ganesha's other name became 'Ganapati'.
There is another less popular story of Ganesha's birth but is less popular. It is said Shiva asked Parvati to observe fast for a year to appease Lord Vishnu so that she would have a son. When a son was born to her, all the gods and goddesses came to rejoice his birth. Lord Shani, the son of 'Surya' - the Sun-God, was also present but he refused to look at newborn. Perturbed at His behaviour, Parvati asked him the reason, and Shani replied that his looking at the baby would harm the infant. On Parvati's insistence when Shani glanced at the baby, the child's head severed instantly. All the gods began to bemoan, whereupon Lord Vishnu hurried to the bank of the river Pushpabhadra and brought back with Him the head of a young elephant and joined it to the baby's body, and thus revived it.
Lord Ganesha is thus India's cutest god and has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One hand has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by 'modaks' – his favourite sweet dish). The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata; rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. He holds the 'laddoo' – a sweet in his trunk which indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the soul.
Ganesha is famous not only for being a trickster with his sense of humour and his wisdom. It is said that His elephant head epitomises everything related to wisdom-small shrewd eyes, long ears that miss nothing and is all ears to our petition., a long nose that can smell out anything fight and his vehicle, a mouse - reflects how much importance a wise man gives to the smallest of life forms. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms.
Ganesha is the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon and the patron diety of Indians. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four). He is the god of learning, and bestows both worldly and spiritual success. He is beheld today as the most auspicious God of new beginnings. He is Vighnaharta, or 'remover of obstacles'. Invariably, his blessings are sought before beginning any new venture. In fact, the first prayer is always to Ganesha even on a day sacred to other gods. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. He is shown at gateways and on doors, either by visuals or symbols, generally facing the rising sun in the east. Meetings, gatherings, weddings, functions and celebrations begin with a prayer of lord Ganesh and no new venture-be it a new company, a new house, a new shop is inaugurated without reciting a 'mantra' of lord Ganesh. His devotees believe that no enterprise will succeed unless he is invoked. The picture of Ganpati is often found on the doors of houses and printed on wedding cards. He also has long been associated with commerce, and merchants still pay homage to him. In households, it's common for small offerings of money, flowers and food to be placed before one of the family's effigies of Ganeshji. These tokens please him and he therefore brings more beauty, money and food to the family. He is believed to be the harbinger of good luck, prosperity and keeps natural calamities at bay in the lives of those who worship him. Ganesha is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. He is the personification of material universe in all its various magnificent manifestations.
Since Ganeshji represents auspiciousness, his whole being has symbolic imports for devotees:
Large ears - signify listening to God's katha with great zeal.
Small eyes - to do the Lord's darshan minutely.
Large forehead - to develop great intellect to realise God.
Large stomach - depicts his great capacity to empathise with the woes of devotees.
Short legs - depicts patience.
Long trunk - symbolic of his deep scriptural wisdom.
Mouse as vehicle - a hyperactive creature, symbolic of our indriyas. Therefore Ganesh sitting on such a vehicle represents a deity of control over the indriyas.
Four arms - which hold: 'ankush' - symbol for control over the mind
'ladu' - for happiness
'pash' - axe to punish the indriyas and antahkaran
'ashirvad mudra' - blessings for the well being of humanity
Ganesha has many names related to his body and virtues. A few commonly known are listed below:
Ekadant - (one-toothed)
Lambodar - from the long – 'lambo', tummy – 'udar'
Gajkarna - from the large elephant 'Gaja' ears – 'karna'
Kapil - from his ruddy complexion
Vikat - heavy-bodied
Bhalchandra - having a Chandra (moon) on his forehead – 'bhal'
Dwaimatur - one who has 'dwi - two, 'mata' - mother; Parvati - who gave birth to him and Malini - a demoness who nurtured him.
Vakratund - one who breaks the ego of he who behaves anti-socially ('Vakra')
Mudgal - In south India, a special 'Mudgal Puran' extols Ganapati's glory. It cites 32 names, while 'Shardatilak' lists 51 names.
Vigneshwar - One who removes mayic obstacles – 'vignas'
This birth of this auspicious Ganesh is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapad. The festival commences around August or September. The day commemorates certain events connected with Ganesha. A clay idol of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol varies from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet. The devotees of Ganesh are known as 'Ganapatyas', and the festival to celebrate and glorify him is called Ganesh Chaturthi.
The day before the actual festival, the clay idol of the God is brought home ceremoniously for worship. The worship of this deity involves getting a corner ready to receive the god. He is invited with material and verbal offerings, and the 'puja' - prayer begins. A special prayer and offering is performed for Ganesh. The offering involves the 'panchamrut' – the five nectars consisting of milk, ghee, curd, honey and jaggery, with which the god's icon is bathed, with cleansing in between with water. Ganesh is then given a red garment and the sacred thread. He is smeared with red sandal paste and then offered red and yellow flowers. A lamp is lit, bells rings, and food is offered in six symbolic mouthfuls.
On the first day of the festival, the idol of Ganesh is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. He is offered special leaves and flowers, 21 of each and white 'durva' (trefoil) grass. Touching the idol with blades of durv grass, he is given life step by step in the presence of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and the Vedas and made to go through 15 of the 16 rites of passage that each Hindu goes through in his lifetime. The sixteenth one, which is for death is omitted. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'. After this the 'shhodashopachara' (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 'modaks' (a rice flour preparation), 21 durva grass and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns and Ganesha 'stotra' - prayers are chanted. During the festival, 'puja' is performed twice every day – once in the morning, and again in the evening.
Fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets offered to Lord Ganesh are important aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi rituals in India. Hindus pray to the images of Lord Ganesha, with faith and devotion so that he may remove all their obstacles. Varieties of a sweet preparation called 'modak' which Ganesha is particularly fond of, is prepared on the first day of the festival. Rice Kheer, Moodak, Besan ke ladoo or Boondi ladoo is also prepared. After elaborate prayers in the morning, family members gather for a feast. Ladoos are distributed and are eaten before the meal. Milk is offered to idols of Lord Ganesh at home and at temples, and Ganesh 'puja' is performed at all temples and in-house prayer rooms. The Gansha mantra is chanted, followed by a Ganesha prayer. In the evening, an elder reads out the story of Ganesha's birth and an 'arti' – invocation to Ganesha - is performed.
For 10 days, from 'Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi' to the 'Ananta Chaturdashi', Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the idol of Ganesh is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing and singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. Firecrackers announce the arrival of the procession hat halts every now and then for people to get a last glimpse of their favourite God and seek his blessings, for he is the remover of all obstacles. Multitudes of people join in the final procession which take place with great fanfare and begins in the afternoon and continue till the late hours of the night. The crowd shouts 'Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya' – a popular chant in Maharashtra which means "O father Ganesha, come again early next year". After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it. Thus the festival ends with the ceremony of immersion of the idols in the sea or rivers and wells, and this ceremony is called 'Ganesh-Visarjan' which means immersion of Ganesha.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India. But the maximum fervour is witnessed in Maharashtra, where it is also celebrated publicly. Started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism, the festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak - a freedom fighter - to spread the message of freedom struggle and to propagate a feeling of togetherness.
In Karnataka, the day before Ganesh Chaturthi is assigned for Gowri Puja, when Ganesha's mother, Goddess Gowri or Parvati, is worshipped. The day is especially auspicious to married women, who pray to the Goddess for lasting marital bliss.
In Ahmedabad too thousands flock to river Sabarmati and the Kankaria lake, with idols of Lord Ganesh. Offerings are made to Lord Ganesh at numerous temples. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and Ganesh is fervently worshipped for about 7-10 days. On the day of the Chaturthi, i.e. the last of the days dedicated to the god, shrines are erected, firecrackers let off, huge images of Ganesh are carried in grand procession for 'Ganesh Visarjan' accompanied by the sound of devotional songs and drums.
In Gujarat, a clay or plaster of paris idol of Ganesh is installed on Ganesh Chaturthi and worshipped for ten days. Devotees observe a waterless fast. The traditional 'prasad' – offering given to the Lord are chopped cucumbers and 'ladoos' – sweet balls of wheat flour, ghee and sugar. Five 'pujas' and 'arti' are offered, together with a boat ride after each 'arti' before Ganesha's 'visarjan' – submergence.
In Rajasthan, on Ganesh Chaturthi, an image of Ganesh bathed in red kumkum with a garland of red flowers is installed by many households right outside their entrances.
A small thaal with haldi and kumkum is also placed at the entrance so that people who come visiting take a pinch of each and put it on their foreheads and throat. A kilo of 'ladoos' are usually kept in the house and after offering them to Ganesh, they are offered as 'prasad' to whoever visits.
Myth has it that one should not look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi day. But why, one may ask. There is a story behind the symbolic snake, rat and the singular tusk. It is said that during one of his birthdays, his mother, Parvati, cooked for him twenty-one types of delicious food and a lot of sweet porridge. Ganesh ate so much that even his big belly could not contain it. Mounting his little mouse, he embarked on his nightly rounds. His mouse suddenly stumbled upon seeing a huge snake. To adjust his belly, Ganesh put the snake on as a belt around his stomach. Suddenly, he heard laughter emanating form the sky. He looked up and saw the moon teasing him. Infuriated Ganesh, broke off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Parvati, seeing this, immediately cursed the moon that whoever looks at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will be accused of a wrong doing. The symbology behind the mouse and snake and Ganesha's big belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly philosophic. The whole cosmos is known to be the belly of Ganesha. Parvati is the primordial energy. The seven realms above, seven realms below and seven oceans, are inside the cosmic belly of Ganesha, held together by the cosmic energy - 'kundalini' - symbolized as a huge snake which Ganesh ties around him. The mouse is nothing but our ego. Ganesh, using the mouse as a vehicle, exemplifies the need to control our ego. One who has controlled the ego has Ganesh consciousness or God consciousness.
Ancient Hindu texts are filled with tales about Lord Ganesh, his powers, wisdom and goodness, one of the most delightful being the one about a contest between him and his brother, Kartikeya. Legend has it that when Shiva and Parvati decided to have their sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh married, they stipulated that he who circumambulated the earth first would be considered the best deity and would be married first. Kartikeya who was very proud of his mount, the peacock, and his own speed and efficiency, challenged lord Ganesh to a race around the world 7 times. He flew off on his vehicle - a peacock. While Kartikeya made a tour of the world thrice, poor Ganapati's vehicle was a mouse which was no match for a peacock. Being the choicest devotee of God, Parvati consoling him showed Ganesh a simpler and quicker way. She advised him to cicumambulate the cow since she also symbolically represents another earth and he would reap the same benefit as going round the earth. Another reference cites him circumambulating his parents. Consoling him, Parvati showed a short cut. She divulged that it was ordained in the scriptures that he who offered 'puja' to his parents and then circumambulated them received the same merit as he who went around the earth. So Ganesh just encircled lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, his parents 7 times, and claimed victory. The story is often related to inculcate in children the importance of God and their parents. And Ganapati hence married first showing that one who obeys the wish of the choicest devotee of God or his parents attains his desired wishes.
The Shiva Puran cites another story. Prajapati had two daughters, Siddhi – meaning wealth and Buddhi – meaning intellect. He approached Parvati and Shiva for the marriage of the girls to Kartikeya and Ganesh. But both the girls wanted to marry only the latter. Thus they married him. Siddhi gave birth to a son named 'Shubh' meaning auspiciousness and Buddhi to 'Labh' meaning merit. Therefore when businessmen and merchants offer 'puja' to Ganesh and Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth - they write 'Shubh' and 'Labh' inside their account ledgers to invoke the two deities.
The above are few of the legends about the elephant headed Ganesha. One always starts any prayer, ritual or occasion by worshipping him. One of the famous mantras for success is as follows:
'Vakrtund Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha |
Nirbhignam Kurumedaya Sarva Karyashu Sarvada |'
Vakratunda - curved trunk
Mahakaaya - large bodied
Surya kotee - million suns
Sama Prabha - with the brilliance of
Nirvighnam - free of obstacles
Kuru - make
Mey - my
Deva - Lord
Sarva Kaaryeshu - in all work
Sarvada - always
'O Lord Ganesha of Large body, cruved trunk, with the brilliance of a million suns,
please make all my work free of obstacles, always.'
Ganesh Chaturthi is thus a festival inspiring devotees to inculcate virtues in their lives: obeying the commands of God and His choicest devotee, and, consolidating faith in them just as Ganesh had faith and trust in his mother Parvati regarding circumambulating his parents. Come to India and witness the 10-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi being celebrated in all her states with all grandeur!
From: http://www.writerstoyou.com/books/readonline.asp?bookid=6099&locid=5775&title=SHANTI+MAHADEVAN+-+Ganesh+Chaturthi+Festival
Vasudha
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