Ganesh Chaturthi

Significance and History

The Hindu festival, Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is thought to be the child of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hindu mythology holds that Lord Shiva gave Ganesha existence after Parvati fashioned him from the dirt on her body. People from different communities and backgrounds come together for the widely observed and inclusive celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in India. As individuals from various castes, religions, and social classes take part in the festivities, it promotes a sense of solidarity. Since it has been observed for so long, the festival is significant both historically and culturally. It is an essential component of Indian heritage and culture.

Why do People Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi? :

• According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati from sandalwood paste while she was bathing.
• She gave him life and assigned him to guard her door. When Lord Shiva tried to enter, Ganesha stopped him, leading to a fierce battle.
• In anger, Shiva severed Ganesha’s head but later revived him by placing an elephant’s head, granting him immortality and making him the first deity to be worshipped before any ritual or event.

Celebration at Krushna Dham Delaware
At Krushna Dham Delaware,

• Though the festival is the same and has similar connotations across India, each region has slight variations in rituals and traditions. The celebrations last between 7 and 10 days at different places. A few common observances are:

  • Installation of Ganapati statue: A statue of the Elephant God is installed on a pedestal either at home or in a public place with a pranprathishtha puja.
  • Not looking at the moon: On the first night of the festival, people avoid looking at the moon because it is considered a bad omen.
  • Prayers: Washing of the statue; puja with the chanting of shlokas and offerings of flowers and sweets; and aarti, i.e. circumlocution of the idol with a plate filled with a lit earthern/metal lamp, kumkum and flowers, is done. Prayer meetings are also conducted at Ganapati temples and public installations every day in the evenings and in some places, in the mornings as well.
  • Special performances: Some public installations of Lord Ganesh might also have performances with dance, music, and skits.
  • Making and eating modak: Modak is believed to be Ganapati’s favourite sweet. So, these dumplings are made and distributed as prasad during the festival. Other food items such as laddoo, barfi, pedha, and sundal are also distributed during this time.
  • Visarjan: This is the immersion of the idol in a water body and is conducted on the last day – anywhere between the seventh and eleventh days – of the festival. It is accompanied by a procession of people chanting bhajans and shlokas and songs, with the idol. People seek forgiveness for the mistakes they have done so far and request the god to help them stay on the righteous path. Ganesha is thanked for visiting the home/locality, for being removing obstacles from people’s path, and for the auspiciousness he bestows.

Join us at Krushna Dham Delaware this Ganesh Chaturthi to seek blessings for an abundant and prosperous year ahead, through divine grace and community spirit.