Amazing facts about Ganesh Chathurthi !!

Lord Ganesh

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated throughout India with a great spirit and exuberance. This day symbolizes the birth day of Lord Ganesh, the elder and most beloved son of Lord Shiva and Mata Paarvati.

The celebration of this divine festival begins on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, “Shukla Chaturthi” and culminates on the fourteenth day which is known as “Anant Chaturthi”.

This festival is celebrated by Hindus with a great devotion and enthusiasm. On the last day of the festival the idols are ordained with red emollient or sandal paste and taken out publicly in Pandaals, hymns and mantras are sung by the priests throughout the way, prasad is distributed among-st the devotees and then finally immersed traditionally into the holy water bodies.

A priest performing rituals of the ceremony

Here are some interesting facts about Ganesh Chaturthi that will blow your mind!!

Fact 1: The unknown significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is also the day of proclamation as Lord Shiva declared Ganesha to be superior of all Hindu Gods.

Fact 2: Lord Ganesha and his multiple names

Lord Ganesha is addressed by about 108 names in total.

The most common name by which lord Ganesha is addressed by is Vinayaka.

The other important names are:

‘Vighna Harta'-the remover of obstacles

'Buddhi Pradaayaka' -the provider of wisdom and intellect

Fact 3: Ek dant-the one with only one tusk.

An interesting story lies behind this term ‘Ek dant’. According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha while having ride on His mouse during childhood; the moon observed Him from the sky and made fun of His belly. Angered by this remark, He broke his tusk and tossed it on the moon cursing the moon that no one would ever glance it on His birthday!! Although the curse was undoomed but still it is considered inauspicious to glace moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Fact 4: Lord Ganesha has four hands

Rope in upper left hand-to pull the devotees towards the Truth

Axe in upper right hand-to cut the attachment of devotees with pluralism of world

Rice balls in lower left hand-as a reward to devotees for amends

Gesture Of courage in lower right hand-to protect the devotees from the hurdles of life

Fact 5: Lord Ganesha’s marital status

Most people consider Lord Ganesha to be bachelor. Only a few know the fact that He had two wives-Ridhi and Sidhi who were created by Lord Brahma.

Fact 6: The first public celebration

The public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi has its roots in the era of the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who promoted the culture in 17^th century.

Fact 7: Struggle for public celebration during the battle for independence

 

In the 19^th century, during our struggle for independence, the ban on the public celebration by the British rulers was revived by the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak who also bridged the gap between Brahmins and non Brahmins and strengthened the bond between them.

 

Fact 8: The first person who installed Lord Ganesha’s idol publically was Bhausaheb Laxman Javale.

 

Fact 9: The celebration and the environmental issues

In early days, this festival was celebrated by using Eco friendly, mud made Ganesha idols. But sadly, nowadays the idols made with P.O.P (Plaster of Paris) are being used which are contributing to high dose of water pollution.

Fact 10: The duration of ceremony of Ganesh Chaturthi

The duration of ceremony of Ganesh Chaturthi varies in different areas depending upon place and its culture. The maximum celebration takes place in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra which is for for 10 days.  Where as in other parts of India, it is celebrated only for one day. The celebration also takes place in other parts of world  like Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nepal and China.

Fact 11: The main ceremonies of the festival

The four main ceremonies of the festival are-

Pranapratishhtha – infusion of the deity into idol

Shhodashopachara - 16 forms of paying homage to Ganesha

Uttarpuja –the prayer before the immersion of idol into water bodies

Ganpati Visarjan - immersion of the Idol in the water bodies. 

Ganpati Visarjan

Fact 12: The offerings of ceremony

21 'modakas' (rice flour preparation)

21 'durva' (trefoil) blades

Rakta chandan

Coconut

Jaggery

Red flowers

Modaks

Fact 13: The sources of hymns

Vedic hymns- Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad

Ganesha stotra- Narada Purana

Every year, the devotees celebrate this festival wholeheartedly to be showered with blessings of knowledge and wisdom, chanting:

"Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya"

(O father Ganesha, come again soon next year).