Pancha Ganapati: Hindu Christmas!

[Guest guest]

Simoneji,

Which corner of the house is most auspicious to put

Ganesh's statue? Is it true that a Ganpati with the

trunk on the right instead of left is more auspicious.

Please enlighten with your abindance enlightmenbt.

Warmest,

Cyra

 

 

--- Simone <syzenith wrote:

 

>

> 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:

>

> --------------------------------

> A Hindu Answer to the December Dilemma

> The five-day festival of Pancha Ganapati provides a

> meaningful

> alternative to Christmas.

>

> By Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

> ```````````````````````````````````

>

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

> ----

>

> Excerpted from a Hinduism Today article by the late

> Satguru Sivaya

> Subramuniyaswami.

> --------------------------------

>

> "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

>