Pancha Ganapati: Hindu Christmas!

[Guest guest]

Namaskar Friends,

 

Christians celebrate Christmas but Hindus also have their own

special kind of Christmas. It is called Pancha Ganapati, also known

as "Hindu Christmas" The following article by Satguru

Subramuniyaswami (1000-fold prostrations to His Holiness) is for

general interest:

 

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A Hindu Answer to the December Dilemma

The five-day festival of Pancha Ganapati provides a meaningful

alternative to Christmas.

 

By Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

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http://www.beliefnet.com/story/59/story_5965_1.html

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Excerpted from a Hinduism Today article by the late Satguru Sivaya

Subramuniyaswami.

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"Daddy, why don't we have Christmas?" That question was heard in so

many Hindu homes we visited that, some years ago in cooperation with

scholars and elders, an alternative for Christmas was conceived.

It's interesting that in 1966 the Afro-American community created

Kwanzaa, a social, Black-identity, earth-based festival celebrated

each year from December 26 to January 1. Our own Pancha Ganapati is

a festival to the five-faced elephant God. It is five days of gift-

giving and festivities within the home, especially for the children.

There is no need for a tree (eco-advocates appreciate this), nor

wreaths, nor a Santa. Lord Ganesha does it all in five days of

merriment and mirth.

 

Those who have taken up this home festival from December 21 through

the 25 have enjoyed it year after year. It can include outings,

picnics, feasts, exchange of cards and gifts with relatives, friends

and business associates. Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and

incense is offered to Pancha Ganapati, often prepared and presented

by the children. Chants, songs and bhajanas are sung in His praise.

After puja, sweets are shared as prasada. Each day gifts are given

to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only

on the fifth day. Greeting cards are exchanged, always offering

Hindu wisdom or verse from scripture.

 

During each of the five days the entire family focuses upon a

different sadhana. Because of the importance of this festival as a

new beginning and mending of all mistakes of the past, a festive

shrine is created in the main living room of the home. At the center

is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha

Ganapati. If this is not available, a large picture of Lord Ganesha

will do. Each morning the children dress or decorate Ganesha anew in

a different color: golden yellow on December 21, then ruby red,

royal blue, emerald green and finally brilliant orange. These are

the colors of His five powers, or shaktis, adored by all.

 

Day One: The sadhana for the first day is to create a vibration of

love and harmony among the immediate family. The day begins early as

all work to design and decorate the shrine with traditional symbols,

rangoli, lamps and more. After a grand puja invoking the spirit of

Pancha Ganapati, the family sits together to share their love. If

strained relationships have arisen during the year, they make amends

for misdeeds performed, insults misspoken, mental pain and injuries

caused and suffered. Gifts are then exchanged and placed unopened

before Pancha Ganapati.

 

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/59/story_5965_1.html

 

Om Namah Shivaya

Simone