Some festivals in India are reflective of religious identity as well as region-specific culture. People of every religion are involved in these festivals in one way or the other. Just as the Durga Puja of West Bengal has become prevalent throughout the country today, similarly the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated with pomp in Maharashtra is also celebrated throughout the country.
This festival of Ganesh Chaturthi lasts for about ten days, due to which it is also called Ganeshotsav. In North India, Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ganesh.
Ganeshotsav is celebrated from when to how long (Ganesh Chaturthi Kab tak manaya jata hai)
Ganeshji’s festival begins with his worship by setting up the Ganapati statue on the Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month and keeping Bappa at home for ten consecutive days and bid farewell to Bappa on Anant Chaturdashi. On this day, the Ganesh idol is taken for immersion while playing drums and singing and dancing. Ganeshotsav ends with immersion.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi called Danda Chauth (Ganesh Chaturthi Ko Danda Chauth Kyu Bola Jata hai)
Ganesha is also considered to be the giver of Riddhi-Siddhi and wisdom. It is believed that under this Guru Shishya tradition, Vidyadhyayana was started from this day. On this day children also play with sticks. For this reason, in some areas, it is also called Danda Chauth.
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How to install and worship Ganesh idol (Ganesh Murthi kaise sthapit kare)
On Ganesh Chaturthi, a statue of Ganesha is made after being removed from bathing in the morning. This statue can be made with gold, copper, clay, or cow dung according to its strength. After this, a blank urn is filled with water and tied with a blank cloth. Thereafter, Ganesh idol is installed on it. After this, the idol is worshiped by offering vermilion and worshiping it. Ganesha is offered Dakshina and is offered 21 Laddus as an offering to him.
Five laddus near the Ganesha idol are distributed among the remaining Brahmins. Lord Ganesha should be worshiped in the evening. After worship, the Moon is offered Arghya keeping the vision low. It is believed that the moon should not be seen on this day. After this, the Brahmins are fed and Dakshina is also given to them.