Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Why is Lord Ganesha worshiped first, know the mythology behind it

Every year Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. This year this date is falling on 19th September. During this, Ganesh Utsav is celebrated for 10 days which ends on the day of Anant Chaturdashi.

There is only a short time left for Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the biggest festivals of Hindu religion. Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada is celebrated as Ganesh Janmotsav. This year this date is falling on 19th September. With this, the 10-day long Ganesh Utsav will also begin which will end on Anant Chaturdashi. During Ganesh Utsav, the idol of Bappa is installed in homes and he is worshiped with full rituals for 10 days. It is believed that Ganapati stays on earth for these 10 days and removes the sufferings of his devotees.

Devotees absorbed in the devotion of Bappa leave no stone unturned in welcoming him and celebrate Ganesh Utsav with pomp and show for 10 days. Special pomp and show of Ganesh Utsav is seen in Maharashtra. Big pandals are set up here and devotees come from far and wide to have darshan of Bappa.

First revered deity Lord Ganesha

In Hindu religion, Lord Ganesha has the place of the first worshipable deity. No auspicious work is considered complete without the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is considered the god of knowledge, wisdom and happiness and prosperity. With their blessings all the troubles of life go away and happiness and prosperity comes in life. Before starting any auspicious work, only Ganpati Bappa is meditated upon. But what is the reason for this? Let us know why Bappa, the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, has got the place of the first revered deity.

Actually, there is a mythological story behind this. It is said that once there was a dispute among all the gods as to who should be made the first worshipable deity. All the gods started declaring themselves the best. When Naradji saw that the dispute was not ending, he advised to seek refuge in Lord Shiva to find a solution to this problem. When all the gods reached Lord Shiva, he thought of a plan to resolve this dispute. He told all the gods that whoever travels around the entire universe on his vehicle and reaches him first, will be worshiped first on earth.

Lord Ganesha circumambulated his parents

On hearing this, all the gods sat on their vehicles and set out to roam around the universe. Lord Ganesha was also involved in this race. But instead of revolving around the universe, he revolved around his parents i.e. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati 7 times and stood with folded hands. When all the gods went around the universe and reached Lord Shiva, they found Ganesha standing there. After this, Lord Shiva declared Ganeshji the winner.

Seeing this, all the gods were surprised as to why Ganesh ji was declared the winner when he came after circling the universe. On this, Lord Shiva explained that Lord Shiva's place in the entire universe is supreme and Lord Ganesha has revolved around his parents 7 times. In such a situation, Lord Ganesha has been declared victorious. All the gods agreed with this decision of Lord Shiva, after which Lord Ganesha got the position of the first worshiped deity.