How to celebrate the great Ganesha festival

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How to celebrate the great Ganesha festival

 

A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the

day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an

inch to over 25 feet.

 

On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or

in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their

homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then

invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual

is the pranapratishhtha. After this the shhodashopachara (16 ways of

paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas (rice flour

preparation), 21 durva (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The

idol is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the

ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha

Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

 

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi,

Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the

streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be

immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord

in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him

the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting

"Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha,

come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts,

flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to

immerse it.

 

The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents.

These also serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation

camps, charity for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional

songs, etc. during the days of the festival.

 

Swami Sivananda Recommends

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord

Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then,

after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord

Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and

devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the

spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of

a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your

house. Feel His Presence in it.

 

Don't forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it

behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the

company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your

Guru and religion, from this very day.

 

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner

spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

 

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the

obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all

material prosperity as well as liberation!

 

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