Ganesh Chaturthi on Sep 15, 2007

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Ganesh Chaturthi

From Subhamoy Das

 

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!

 

http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/ganeshchaturthi.htm