HAPPY GANESH CHATURTHI from IF Dev Team

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Jas

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Posted: 19 years ago

VINAYAKA CHATURTHI / GANESH CHATURTHI

This year Ganesh Chaturthi is on August 27th, 2006

Ganesh is the Ever-Blissful, elephant-headed deva (god) who is lovingly worshipped and revered by millions of people worldwide. Although Ganesh is known through the Hindu religion, Shri Ganesh transcends religion and is loved by many non-Hindu's. Ganapati is worshipped by both Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) and Saivites (devotees of Shiva). It is for this Transcendent, All-Embracing, Auspicious Lord of the Ganas, Sri Ganesh, for whom this site is dedicated. Enjoy and much Peace to you!

The son of Shiva and Parvati, Shree Ganesh, is the God of Good Luck and Auspiciousness and is the Dispeller of problems and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the God of wisdom, wealth, health, celibacy, fertility and happiness. In the panchayatana puja, Ganesh is glorified as one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha) whose worship confers immortality and liberation.

Ganesh Chaturthi - Vinayaka Chaturthi

Devotees of Ganesha are known as 'Ganapatyas', and Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi) is the holy festival that celebrates His Glory through India by all Hindu's. Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad. This festival is honored as the birthday of Sri Ganesh. Ganapati transcends all sects and views and is equally worshipped by both Saivites and Vaishnavas because Ganesh is viewed as an Incarnation of both Vishnu and Shiva. Ganesha is even worshipped and revered among Buddhists and Jains.

Mystery of Ganesh

Once there was neither Being nor Nonbeing. There was neither Form nor Formlessness. Then, That which was hidden within Itself, That One, stirring, emerging, coming to be. From Itself to the Formless to the Form. Immutable, changeless, everywhere, pervading all, yet not physically such is the mystery. Suddenly an ancient note piercing the darkness. A song whose birth stirred the slumbering, summoning an eternal mystery to awaken. Emerging from deep within the hidden cave, the human heart, Ganesha's truth flows from the icecave of the infinite. Housed within our gated dwelling, Ganesha the guest loved and longed for. That which has no form, can take a form. That which has no name, can take a name. From the formless to form, and back again and again and again. The wheel of time gathers speed, and somewhere between fact and legend, vision and myth, we ask, "Who is Ganesha? There are those who lovingly sing his praises. There are those who worship and adore him. There are those who represent him in art and literature. There are those who tell stories about him. There are those who chant his glory. There are those who seek his darshana. There are those who invoke and invite his blessings. The thinkers think, the scholars scholasticise, the devotees worship. But what is Ganesha's hidden meaning? There is a long and hoary lineage of seekers, scholars, sycophants, who have attempted to plumb the mysteries of the elephant-headed one. Anthropologists, Artists, religious Aspirants, Historians, Indologists, Linguists, Philosophers, Religionists, Sociologists, and contemporary devotees of Ganesha are but some of the most recent representatives of this enquiry. Each group has attempted, and continues to attempt, to make sense of this enormously popular deity. Seemingly incongruous facts simultaneously coincide. Ganesha embodies: An enormous popularity that transcends sectarian and territorial limits; a seemingly rather late, yet dramatic, full-blown appearance into a religious pantheon; a confusing, conflicting, yet interesting and intriguing mythology; and an elephant's head atop a plump human body! To further complicate the picture is the fact that the physical representation of Ganesha offers more iconographic variations than does that of any other Indian deity. Couple this with the fact that Ganesha literature is rife with a seemingly endless number of stories on an unexpectedly limited number of themes. O Ganesha, who are you really? Tell the others what you want, tell them anything, but between you and me, who are you really

What Ganesh Stands For

Ganesha has four arms which symbolize his status as the universal ruler and establish his power over the four categories of beings - those who can live only in water, those who can live in water and on earth, those who can live only on earth and those who can fly in air. Significance of four : It was god Ganesha who instituted the four castes and the four Vedas. One hymn in Sri Bhagavat Tattva , says: 'In heaven, this child will establish the predominance over gods, on earth over men, in the nether world over anti-gods and serpents. He causes the four principles of the elements to move and is therefore four armed. In one hand, he holds a shell, in another a discus, in the third a club or a sweet and in the fourth a lotus.' Thus, all aspects of Ganesh's form are filled with symbolic meanings.

The Vehicle of Ganesh

Sathya Sai has said, "The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the mouse? The mouse has a keen sense of smell. The mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas). It is well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka's vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka-principle, thus, means that which removes all the bad qualities, practices and thoughts in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts."

What does "Vinayaka" Mean

Sathya Sai says, "Who is Vinayaka? In the sloka beginning with the words, Suklaambaradharam Vishnum, only the form of the deity is described. But there is another inner meaning for the name "Vinayaka". Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in white. Vishnum means he is all-pervading. Sasivarnam means his complexion is grey like that of ash. Chathurbhujam means he has four arms. Prasannavadanam means he has always a pleasing mien. Sarvavighnopasaanthaye means for the removal of all obstacles. Dhyaayeth, meditate (on him). Vinayaka is the deity who removes all bad qualities, instills good qualities and confers peace on the devotee who meditates on him Vinayaka means that he is totally master of himself. He has no master above him. He does not depend on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means he is the lord of the ganas - a class of divine entities. This term also means that he is the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred mind."

Ganesh's Intellect

Sathya Sai says, "What is the esoteric meaning of Ganesha's elephant head? The elephant is noted for its acute intelligence. Ganesha's elephant head symbolizes sharpness of intellect and the highest power of discrimination. Because of the purity of his intellect, Vinayaka is also called the giver of buddhi (intellect). He responds to the prayers of devotees and hence is known as Siddhi Vinayaka (the Vinayaka who grants what is sought). In a forest, when an elephant moves through the jungle, it clears the way for others to follow. Likewise, by invoking Ganesha, the path is cleared for our undertakings. The elephant's foot is so large that when it moves it can stamp out the footprints of any other animal. Here, again, the symbolic meaning is that all obstacles in the way will be removed when Ganesha is accorded the place of honor. The journey of life is made smoother and happier by the grace of Ganesha. When an elephant moves among the bushes, its path turns into a regular passage for all animals. It is thus a pacesetter for all animals." Similarly, Ganesha clears the path leading to Wisdom, Intellect, and Inner Peace.

Two Shaktis Of Ganesh

Ganesha has two Siddhis (symbolically represented as wives or consorts): Siddhi (success) and Riddhi (prosperity). Wherever there is Ganesh, there is Success and Prosperity~ Wherever there is Success and Prosperity~ there is Sri Ganesh.

Ganesh as the Scribe

Ganesha is accepted as the god of learning and the Patron Deity of letters and scriptures. Ganesh's tusk is used by him in the writing of the epic, the Mahabharata. When Vyasa wanted to compose the Mahabharata, Brahma suggested Ganesha be his scribe. Vyasa agreed and Ganesha brought his broken tusk as a writing quill. Vyasa dictated the entire epic in verse. Ganesha recorded every word for Gods and men alike.

32 Forms of Ganesh in Agamic Scriptures

1: Baala Ganapati - Red colored image of a four armed Ganesha.
2: Dharuna Vinayakar: Red colored image of an eight armed Ganesha.
3: Bhakti Vinayakar: Grey colored image of four armed Ganesha.
4: Veera Vinayakar: Red colored image of 16 armed Ganapati.
5: Shakti Ganapati: Red colored image of 4 armed Ganapati, seated with his consort to his left.
6: Dwija Vinayakar: White colored image of four faced Ganesha with 4 arms.
7: Siddhi Vinayakar: Golden colored image of four armed Ganapati.
8: Ucchishta Ganapati: Blue colored image of six armed Ganapati with his consort.
9: Vigna Vinayakar: Gold colored image of eight armed Ganapati.
10: Kshipra Ganapati: Red colored image of four armed Ganesha bearing a ratna kumbham.
11: Heramba Vinayakar: Black colored image of ten armed Ganesha with five faces, seated on a lion.
12: Lakshmi Vinayakar: White colored image of eight armed Ganesha with two consorts.
13: Makara Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, 10 arms, bearing a ratna kumbham, with his consort.
14: Vijaya Vinayakar: Red colored image of 4 armed Ganesha on the mooshika mount.
15: Nritta Vinayakar: Gold colored image of Ganesha in a dance posture.
16: Urdhva Vinayakar: Gold colored image of six armed Ganesha with his consort.
17: Ekakshara Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, seated on a lotus.
18: Vara Vinayakar: Red colored image of 4 armed Vinayaka with a third eye.
19: Dhryakshara Vinayaka: Gold colored image of four armed Vinayakar, decorated with Chaamara ear rings.
20: Kshipraprasaada Vinayakar: Red colored image of six armed Ganapati.
21: Haridra Vinayakar: Yellow colored image of four armed Ganapati.
22: Ekadhanta Vinayakar: Blue colored image of four armed Ganapati.
23: Srishti Vinayakar: Red colored image of four armed Ganapati seated on his mooshika mount.
24: Utthanda Vinayakar: Red colored image of 10 armed Ganesha with his consort to his left.
25: Ranamochana Vinayaka: Crystal image of four armed Vinayakar.
26: Dundi Vinayakar: Four armed image of Ganesha bearing a tusk, a garland, an axe and a gem studded vessel.
27: Dwimukha Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with two faces and four arms.
28: Trimukha Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with three faces and six arms seated on a golden lotus.
29: Simha Vinayakar: White colored image of Ganesha with eight arms (with an arm bearing a lions face).
30: Yoga Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha in the posture of a yogi.
31: Durga Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with eight arms.
32: Sankatahara Vinayakar: Red colored image of four armed Ganesha clothed in blue, seated on a lotus peetham with his consort to his left.

GANESH AARTI

Shree Ganesh

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari, Jai
Ganesh...
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya, Jai
Ganesh....
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, ,Jai
Ganesh....
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva.

Vegetable

Ingredients :
2 cups (250 grams) chickpea flour (besan)
1/2 cup (60 grams) selfraising flour
2 tablespoons cornflour
3 tablespoons rice flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large potato, coarsely grated
1 large carrot, coarsely grated
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon chilli powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 spring onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) oil
1 cup (250 ml) water, approximately

Preparation :

In a bowl, combine chicpea, self-raising flour, cornflour, rice flour and baking powder. Add potato, carrot, onion, chilli, cumin, turmeric, spring onions, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the oil and enough water to mix to a thick batter. Stand for 5 minutes/Heat remaining oil in a frying pan over moderate heat. Drop batter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into the oil and fry on both sides until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot, with chutney, chilli sauce or tomato sauce

Use any vegetable you choose such as thinly sliced potato or eggplant, cauliflower broken into florets, spinach leaves, or chopped onion

Ingredients :
Basic Batter
250 grams chickpea flour (besan)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
Water

Preparation :

To make batter: Sift chicpea flour, baking powder, turmeric, coriander and chilli into a bowl. Gradually stir in sufficient water to mix to a thick batter consistency. To make pakoras, dip vegetable pieces into batter, deep fry in moderately heated oil until golden brown, drain on absorbent paper.

Ingredients :
Moong Dal - 1 cup
Milk - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Saffron - a generous pinch
Mawa (Khoya) - 3/4 cup
Ghee - 1 cup
Almonds (or any nuts) - 10-20

Preparation :

Wash and soak the moong dal for 6 hours. Grind coarsely using little water. Set aside.
Prepare one string sugar syrup by using 1 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups of water. Keep aside.
Soak saffron in hot milk, crumble mawa (khoya) into fine granules.
Blanch almonds in boiling water for 5 minutes. Cool and peel them, slice them. Set aside.?
Heat ghee in a thick bottomed pan, add the ground moong dal paste. Keep stirring over a low flame till the dal turns brown.
Add sugar syrup and saffron milk, stir well till they are thoroughly incorporated and the halwa is dropping consistency. Add mawa and cook till it dissolves. Garnish with sliced almonds. Serve hot.

Ingredients :
150 gms Maida
120 gms Butter
85 gms Powdered sugar
50 gms Fine sooji
1 tsp. Vanilla
A few Almonds / cashew nuts

Preparation :

Cream the butter till it looks like fluffy and light. Add the sugar and mix well. Add vanilla, then add the maida and sooji. Make a smooth dough. Form into small rounds and cut across in the center. Place a piece of cashew nut on the top. Bake on a greased pan at 150 C for about 25-30 Mts.

Desserts And Sweetmeat (mithais)

Ingredients :
4 cups (1 litre) milk
1/4 ci[ (60 grams)sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
20 grams pistachio nuts
20 grams silvered almonds

Preparation :

Place milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 40 minutes or until milk has a porridge-like consistency, stirring frequently. Add sugar, stir over heat until dissolved. Add cardamom, pistachios and almonds. Pour into a greased lamington pan and cool. Cut into diamonds to serve.

Ingredients :
2 cups gram flour (besan)
2 cups clarified butter (ghee)
3/4 cups sugar
2 tbsp. almonds, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
1/4 tsp. edible saffron color

Preparation :

Method
1.Mix gram flour with just enough water to make a thick batter. Add color.
2.Heat clarified butter (ghee). Through a sieve, gently place batter drops into the hot ghee. Fry till pink and drain out.
3.Continue till all batter is used. Reserve the fried drops as boondis.
4.Heat sugar with 3/4 cup water and make a sticky syrup of one- thread consistency.
5.Add fried boondis, almonds,cardamom powder and mix well.
6.While still warm, shape the syrup-coated boondis into round ladoos, and leave till dry.

Ingredients :
4 cups (500 grams) plain or wholemeal flour, sifted
120 grams ghee
Extra ghee for frying
cold water

Preparation :

Place flour in a bowl, rub in ghee. Add enough water to mix to a soft, pliable dough. Knead until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth for an hour, and then knead again until the dough does not stick to the hands. Roll out thinly, cut out circles in the size required. In the center of each piece, place a quantity of whatever filling you are using. Wet the edge of the pastry all round with water, fold in half, press the edges down. Melt extra ghee in a frying pan, add pooris 1 to 3 at a time, cook on both sides until golden brown.

Ingredients :
2 cups cashewnuts soaked in water for 2 hours
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. Ghee
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
Silver Varak for decoration

Preparation :

Drain and blend the cashew nuts to a fine paste. Use as little water as possible when blending. In a heavy saucepan put sugar and paste. Cook on a medium heat. Keep on stirring continuously till a soft lump is formed. Add ghee and cardamom powder and mix well. Spread on a clean greased work surface. Roll lightly with a rolling pin, to a desired thickness. Apply the silver varak. Cool and cut into diamond shaped burfis.