Ganesh Chaturthi – The Mega Festival Of India

Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival. It is celebrated all over India. It is said that during the festival Lord Ganesha showers his blessings on us. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the God of knowledge, wealth, prosperity and riches. Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the months of August or September. This mega-occasion lasts for 10 days.

The festival is dedicated to Ganpati or Ganesha the elephant headed God of wisdom. In order to encourage the unity among people and love towards the nation, Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja in Maharashtra. Later in 1893, Balgangadhar Tilak altered the festival into a large public celebration. Slowly Ganesh Chaturthi gained importance as a national festival.

Large idols are seen during the festival. Before a few months of the festival, skilled artisans prepare clay models of Lord Ganesha to sell them. They are beautifully coloured and decorated. Through idol, Lord Ganesh is shown in various postures. The size of these idols differs from a few inches to over 25 feet.

The festival begins with placing Lord Ganesha’s idols in houses and in pandals. The pandals are decorated specially for the festival. Decorative items like flower garlands, lights, etc. are arranged on the bases of the theme. Daily at a certain fix time, bhajans and aartis take place. People take part in aartis with great devotion. Every person who enters the pandal is given Bappa’s prasad. The priest carries out Ganesh puja and offers jiggery, coconut, modakas and red flowers.

Immersion of the idol is done on 3rd, 5th or 7th day. On the 10th day, the idols of Lord Ganesha are taken through the streets in a procession. People dance, sing and enjoy on loud music. Fireworks take place. The idols are immersed in a nearby lake, river or sea. This marks the end of the festival. Immersing the idol explains the see-off of Lord Ganesha in his journey towards his house in Kailash Mountains. It is believed that He takes away with him the sufferings and troubles of his devotees. People come together in this ending procession shouting, “Ganapathi Bappa Morya, pudhachya Varshi Laukar ya”.

Today, Ganesh Chaturthi is not only a popular festival but also it has become a very important earning activity for large number of people. Several artisans, craft men, industries and businesses depend on this festival.