Ganesha Chaturthi kick starts on 13th September 2018 and it is an 11-day long festival. The festival, Ganesha Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha who is known as the God of good luck, happiness, and prosperity. This festival starts on Shukla Chaturthi in Bhadrapada and ends on Ananta Chaturdashi. The other name of Ganesha Chaturthi is Vinayak Chaturthi. The states of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka witnesses the massive madness during this festival. During this festival, people bring the idols of Lord Ganesha and offer Puja every day. It is then followed by a Prasad distribution where Motichoor Ke Laddoos and Modaks are mandatory. The immersion of the idols of Lord Ganesha takes place on the 11th day. And that draws an end to the festival.
Things to Know About Lord Ganesha
- Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati or Durga. The head of Lord Ganesha is like an elephant on which there lies a tiara. The four hands of the Lord carries a symbolic object like the Trishul or trident, goad or Ankush, and a lotus. All these things have some kind of significance in protecting the world from devastation.
- Why is the word Chaturthi present in this festival? Because he was born on the 4th day of the fortnight of the Hindu Lunar Month of Magh. That’s the reason behind calling his birthday as Ganesha Chaturthi.
- It was Lord Shiva who actually cut off the human head of Lord Ganesha out of rage. Did you know that? Know more about that here: http://www.dgreetings.com/ganesha_chaturthi_cards/significance-of-ganesh-chaturthi.html
- Later when Lord Shiva came to know that the human figure was made by his wife Parvati, he sent his disciples to find a head. He simply said that “bring the head of the living object you see first”. The disciple who went for this task could find only an elephant and thus we see an elephant head on Lord Ganesha.
- Do you know why his name is Ganesha? Because he is the chief of the Ganas or the attendants of Lord Shiva.
- Lord Ganesha symbolizes financial luck, prosperity, and good luck in general. The elephant head part of his body epitomizes “tvam” or great strength and valor while the human part of his body refers to “tat” or wisdom and intelligence.
- The mouse of the Lord Ganesha symbolizes the presence of mind while his four arms resonate with the four directions of the space.
- The ears of the Lord Ganesha ears resemble winnowing baskets. The objective of winnowing baskets is to separate grain from dirt. Similarly, one should learn to separate real from the fake.
Share these amazing information about Lord Ganesha on this auspicious moment of Ganesha Chaturthi. And don’t forget to greet your loved ones with lovely gifts.
