Vinayaka Chaturthi

Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi

Vinayaka Chaturthi observed in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar is considered the most significant. It is the one called Ganesha Chaturthi, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha. However, devotees keep a fast on every Chaturthi tithi.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days and on the last day, people carry Ganesha's idol and immerse it in the ocean or nearby waterbody. These idols are set up at a place where Ganesh Chaturthi puja is performed.

According to the western calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi mostly is observed in August and September. In Maharashtra, one of the Indian states, it is the most celebrated festival. One can hear people saying with joy 'Ganpati Bappa Moriya' during the whole period. And on the final day, they go in groups while singing Ganpati bhajans to immerse the idols in the sea.

The popular anecdote behind Ganesh Chaturthi is that lord Ganesha comes amongst the humans from Mount Kailash to fulfill their desires. And after that, he returns to his parents which is symbolized by the immersion of his idol in the sea. Also, many people believe that as he goes back, he takes away all their problems with him.

Legend Of Ganesh Chaturthi

It is a common belief that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from sand to prevent anyone from entering while she bathed. Just then, Lord Shiva happens to appear who was stopped by the naive god Ganesha. This angered him and as a consequence he beheaded Ganesha. It was then Goddess Parvati revealed that Ganesha was their child and asked Lord Shiva to bring him back to life. Regretful Shiva asked the devas to find out a dead being whose head is facing the North. On their search, they could only find a dead elephant, so they took him to Lord Shiva. He put its head on Lord Ganesha's neck, thus bringing him back to life. It is the same reason he is also called Vakratunda and Gajanand.