Ganapathi Bappa Moryaa...

The Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated on August 27th.



Everything in Hinduism begins with the worship of Lord Ganesh. With an elephant head and human form, he represents universality of creation. All creation is said to begin with Sound, and He is that first Sound OM or pranava in which mantras are born. When Shakti (Energy) meets Shiva (Matter) both Ganesh (Sound) and Lord Skanda (Light) are born. This is the scientific basis of this part of Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesh is the first son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (a form of Universal Mother). By worshipping Ganesha, a Hindu seeks Divine support for achieving success in one's endeavors in the physical world and for attaining progress thereafter. Since success in all religious acts as well as worldly affairs is the goal of humans, Hindus worship Ganesha to seek God's blessings before undertaking such activities. For this reason, Ganesha is worshipped at the commencements of all religious functions and ceremonies There is some reasoning behind all the parts of the Lord which is explained in the below Ganesh-Symbolism.

History of Public Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi

In 1894, Lokmanya Tilak himself placed an idol of Lord Ganesh in Vinchurkar Wada, Maharashtra, India and began this practice.
Lokmanya Tilak's aims behind starting the public celebration of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi
Prior to starting this public celebration, the social scenario of the Hindus was not stable. The Hindus were not very keen on practicing their religion. They were disunited. The Indians were cowed down by the supremacy of the Westerners. The natural prowess of the Indians was suppressed by this state of affairs
Observing all of this, Lokmanya Tilak took the initiative of starting a public celebration of the festival keeping in mind the below aims.

• To create awareness about religion through the programs organised during the public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi among the Hindus
• To make Hindus aware of their latent prowess
• To nullify the feelings of animosity in society
• To make people aware about their rights and duties
• To rejuvenate the good religious customs
• To commence crusades essential in those times
• To activate the energies present naturally in the society and those generated traditionally.
  Ganapathi Bapa Moriya Pudchya Varshi Laukar Yaa. ( ganapathi, the lord, come again soon next year.)

What is the significance of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi?

In the 120 days from the full moon (pournima) in Ashadh till that in Kartik of the Hindu lunar calendar, yama frequencies, which have the ability to destroy and are tama predominant reach the earth in greater quantities. During this period they are of a greater intensity. However since during the same period, that is from the fourth day (chaturthi) in the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad till Anant chaturdashi, Ganesh frequencies too reach the earth in greater quantities it helps in reducing the intensity of the yama frequencies. Thus celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi derives the benefits from Ganesh frequencies and helps in reducing the effects of yama frequencies.

What should be the duration of the celebration according to scriptures?

According to the scriptures, it should be worshipped ritualistically and immersed immediately thereafter. Since divinity in the sculpt made from mud remains only for one day one can immediately immerse them on second day. It is because man enjoys celebrating festivals and was not satisfied with celebrating for only one day, man began festivities by keeping the idol for one and a half, five, seven or ten days. According to the custom, Ganesh should be immersed on the first, second, third, sixth, seventh or tenth day.

Can we change the duration of the celebration to one and a half day or do we need to ask someone before doing so?

Even if according to the family tradition of spiritual practice (kulachar) the Ganapati was to be kept for five days, one can worship the idol for one and a half or seven days. One need not ask an authority in Spirituality before doing so.

What is the need for a new idol?

Inspite of having an idol of Ganapati, which is routinely worshipped, a new idol is brought for Ganesh Chaturthi. During the period of Ganesh Chatuthi, the Ganesh frequencies reach the earth in larger quantities. If these frequencies are invoked in the usual idol of worship, then that idol will acquire a tremendous amount of energy. To worship such an idol meticulously observing all the norms of ritualistic worship throughout the year would be a difficult task as one would have to follow the restrictions of ritualistic worship (karmakanda).Hence, a new idol is installed to invoke the Ganesh frequencies and is then immersed. The proportion of sattva, raja and tama components in Ganapati frequencies is 5:5:5 while that in an average person is 1:3:5. This makes it difficult for an average person to receive Ganesh frequencies for a long time.

Which family member should celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?

The vowed religious observance followed for Ganesh chaturthi is referred to as 'Siddhivinayak vrat'. Actually it is beneficial if all family members observe it. If all the brothers live in a joint family, that is have a common treasury and kitchen, then jointly a common idol can be worshipped. However, if due to some reason the treasury and kitchen are separate then each one should observe the vowed religious observance of Ganesh (Ganeshvrat) in one's own home.

So wishing everybody a "Happy Ganesh Chaturthi".

Happy Worship...