Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the important festivals of Hindu religion. Although Lord Ganesha is worshiped on this day across the country, it has a different significance in states like Maharashtra and Goa. Here, preparations for Bappa's arrival begin many days in advance. Pandals of different themes are prepared. Big idols of Bappa are prepared. During Ganesh Utsav, people come from far and wide to see these idols.
The birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha is celebrated as a 10-day festival which starts from Ganesh Chaturthi. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Bappa is brought home and after worshiping him with rituals for 10 days, he is immersed on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. This year Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 19th September.
Importance of Ganesh Utsav
Lord Ganesha is considered the god of good fortune, prosperity and knowledge. In such a situation, worshiping Ganesh brings happiness and prosperity in the house. It is also believed that Lord Ganesha stays on earth for 10 days of Ganesh Utsav and removes the sufferings of his devotees. In such a situation, devotees also make every effort to please Bappa. This festival is very popular in states like Maharashtra, Goa and Telangana etc. Huge pandals of Lord Ganesha are set up in these states. On this day, the idol of Lord Ganesha is given a grand welcome in all the houses. Along with this, fast of Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed. By observing fast on this date, the devotee gets happiness, prosperity and many benefits in life.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. According to mythology, Lord Ganesha was born on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. During Ganeshotsav, everyone sits in Bappa's house and he is worshiped with rituals for 10 days. There is a tradition of worshiping Lord Ganesha before starting any new work. Lord Ganesha is called the remover of obstacles who removes all the sorrows and pains that come in your life. The tradition of celebrating Ganesh Utsav exists in Maharashtra since the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
History of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganeshotsav started from Pune, the capital of Maharashtra. The history of Ganesh Chaturthi is related to the emperor of Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed that during the Mughal rule in India, Chhatrapati Shivaji, along with his mother Jijabai, started Ganesh Chaturthi i.e. Ganesh Mahotsav to save his eternal culture.
After Chhatrapati Shivaji started this festival, other Peshwas of Maratha Empire also started celebrating Ganesh Mahotsav. During Ganesh Chaturthi, Maratha Peshwa used to provide food to Brahmins and also used to do charity. After the Peshwas, the British government banned all Hindu festivals in India, but still Bal Gangadhar Tilak started celebrating the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi again. After this, the first Ganesh idol was installed by Bhau Saheb Javale in 1892.
How did Ganpati immersion start?
It is believed that Lord Ganesha is established on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi and after 10 days he is immersed. Many people would be curious to know why Lord Ganesha is immersed after bringing and worshiping him with so much devotion. According to religious scriptures, there is a very important story hidden behind it.
According to the legend, Maharishi Vedvyas had prayed to Lord Ganapati to sequence the composition of Mahabharata. On the very day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Vyas ji kept reciting shlokas and Ganesh ji kept doing them in written form. After continuously writing for 10 days, Ganesh ji was covered with layers of dust. To clean this layer, Lord Ganesha had taken a bath in the Saraswati river on the 10th day of Chaturthi, since then there is a tradition of immersing Lord Ganesha with rituals.
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