Ganesh Chathurthi
Lord Ganesha,
affectionately called Ganapati, is commonly depicted in homes and offices
throughout India as a chubby, smiling and a little mischievous God. His
devotees scribe to Ganesha the ability to bestow wisdom and wealth upon us
humans, thus making him probably the most popular deity in the Hindu
pantheon. To repay Ganeshas bounty, in India, especially in Maharashtra
and nearby areas, the entire population celebrates the ten-day festival of
Lord Ganeshas birthday. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated
all over India with great festivities and zest. It is celebrated as the
birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom and prosperity. The
festival honors Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of the Hindu pantheon.
During the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the image of the God is
worshipped and feted in most homes, temples and halls, and on the last day
the images are taken in a procession and immersed in water. Fasting,
feasting and distribution of sweets are important aspects of Ganesh
Chaturthi rituals in India. Hindus pray to images of Lord Ganesha, large
and small, many of them made specially for the occasion by cottage
industries and street-side artisans. Even those that do not wish to keep
the idols alive by daily prayers, offerings, and lighting oil lamps,
immerse them in the nearest water body (rivers, lakes and the sea that are
sacred to the Hindus). Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of
Bhadrapada (August/September) month of Indian calendar. The celebration of
this festival is followed according to the Indian calendar and hence the
month in the English calendar varies every year. The festival is
celebrated for as many as ten days in areas like Maharashtra, Pune, and
nearby areas.
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