{"id":1295,"date":"2010-09-17T09:36:05","date_gmt":"2010-09-17T09:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/2010\/09\/ganesh-chaturti-2012\/"},"modified":"2020-07-16T18:45:45","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16T17:45:45","slug":"ganesh-chaturti-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/?p=1295","title":{"rendered":"Ganesh Chaturthi 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Sanjay Parekh
\nNHSF Learning Team<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

19th September 2012 (Bhadrapad Sud 4)<\/em><\/p>\n

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha; the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadarapada (August – September), Bhadrapad Sud 4. It is observed throughout India and by Hindus in all parts of the world.<\/p>\n

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Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God and the Lord of power and wisdom. He is worshipped first in any prayers; his names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun or any worship is undertaken. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. By worshipping Lord Ganesha, mothers hope to earn for their sons the sterling virtues of Ganesha.<\/p>\n

Ganesh’s Birth<\/h2>\n

Once, Lord Shiva left his usual dwelling on Mt.Kailas in the Himalayas, to meditate in one of the caves of another mountain. Two friends of Parvati, his consort, suggested that she should have a ‘gana’ – attendant of their own, since they were not too happy with Shivaji’s ‘ganas’. Parvati agreed. Soon after, using her divine powers, she created a son from the mud of her own body, naming him Vinayak. She instructed him to guard their home.<\/p>\n

When Shivaji returned Vinayak prevented him from entering. After some bickering, Shivaji became angry as he did not know who Vinayak was. Shivaji then beheaded Vinayak with his ‘trishul’ (trident). When Parvati heard of this she lamented intensely. Shivaji realised his error. To set things right he sent his men to the forest to fetch the head of the first living thing they met, with its head facing the North. The only elephant Shivaji\u2019s men could encountered was a baby elephant and returned with its head. With his divine power, Shivaji placed the head over his son’s body. Instantly Vinayak sprung to life. Henceforth Vinayak also earned the name of Gajaanan. ‘Gaja’ means elephant.<\/p>\n

Lord Shiva made His son worthy of worship by stating that all would first worship and offer him dedication in all their auspicious undertakings, marriages, expeditions and studies. He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha should take place on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad. Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing.<\/p>\n

Ganapati Vivaha (Marriage)<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kartikeya flew off on his vehicle – a peacock. Poor Ganapati’s vehicle was a mouse which was no match for a peacock. Being the choicest devotee of God, Parvatiji consoling him showed Ganeshji a simpler and quicker way. She divulged that it was ordained in the scriptures that he who offered pujan to his parents and then circumambulated them received the same merit as he who went around the earth.<\/p>\n

Ganapati hence married first showing that one who obeys the wish of the choicest devotee of God or his parents attains his desired wishes. Hence Ganeshji is invoked first in all auspicious events, rites and rituals such as marriage, opening ceremonies, ground-breaking ceremonies, yagnas and so on.<\/p>\n

The Shiva Puran cites another story. Prajapati had two daughters, Siddhi (wealth) and Buddhi (intellect). He approached Parvati and Shivaji for the girls’ marriage to Kartikeya and Ganeshji. However both girls wished to marry only the latter. Thus they married him.<\/p>\n

Siddhi gave birth to a son named ‘Shubh’ (auspiciousness) and Buddhi to ‘Labh’ (merit). Therefore when businessmen and merchants offer pujan to Ganeshji and Lakshmiji they write ‘Shubh’ and ‘Labh’ inside their account ledgers to invoke the two deities.<\/p>\n

Sentiments<\/h2>\n

The first person to observe the ‘vrat’ (vow) of Ganesh Chaturthi was Chandra – the moon. After Ganeshji’s fame as leader (‘pati’) of Shiva’s ‘ganas’, hence Ganapati, he was travelling through the heavens. As he passed Chandra – who prided on his attractive features, he slighted Ganeshji’s peculiar form.<\/p>\n

In return, Ganeshji cursed him, “You shall bear the fruit of your karma. Whenever somebody does your darshan he will be cursed too.” Chandra begged for forgiveness. Ganeshji then advised him to observe the Ganesh Chaturthi vrat and was freed from the curse. By being aware of the detrimental effects of false pride one should cultivate humility. The Skanda Purana mentions this sentiment of the festival.<\/p>\n

The Vayu Puran advocates the observance of this festival by listening to the following relevant episode of Shri Krishna, to be relieved from false accusation: When Shri Krishna was falsely accused of pilfering the Syamantak Mani (gem) he observed Ganesh Chaturthi and was freed from the false charge.<\/p>\n

This festival also inspires devotees to inculcate two virtues; obeying the commands of God and His choicest devotee, and consolidating faith in them, just as Ganeshji had faith and trust in Parvati regarding circumambulating his parents.<\/p>\n

Names of Ganeshji<\/h2>\n

The following are some other names by which Lord Ganesha is known:<\/p>\n