Ganesh Chaturthi | Celebration, Significance, & Information (2024)

Hindu festival

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Also called:
Vinayaka Chaturthi
On the Web:
Academia - Ganesha chaturthi (Mar. 30, 2024)

Ganesh Chaturthi | Celebration, Significance, & Information (1)

Ganesh Chaturthi, in Hinduism, 10-day festival marking the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.

At the start of the festival, idols of Ganesha are placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. The worship begins with the pranapratishtha, a ritual to invoke life in the idols, followed by shhodashopachara, or the 16 ways of paying tribute. Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts like the Ganesh Upanishad, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), considered to be Ganesha’s favourite food.

At the conclusion of the festival, the idols are carried to local rivers in huge processions accompanied by drumbeats, devotional singing, and dancing. There they are immersed, a ritual symbolizing Ganesha’s homeward journey to Mount Kailas—the abode of his parents, Shiva and Parvati.

Ganesh Chaturthi assumed the nature of a gala public celebration when the Maratha ruler Shivaji (c. 1630–80) used it to encourage nationalist sentiment among his subjects, who were fighting the Mughals. In 1893, when the British banned political assemblies, the festival was revived by the Indian nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Today the festival is celebrated in Hindu communities worldwide and is particularly popular in Maharashtra and parts of western India.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Zeidan.

Ganesh Chaturthi | Celebration, Significance, & Information (2024)

FAQs

Ganesh Chaturthi | Celebration, Significance, & Information? ›

Ganesh Chaturthi (guh-NESH cha-TUR-thee) is a festival that pays homage to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, and celebrates the day of his birth. Many recognize that Lord Ganesh brings order in this universe and worship him before embarking on a new endeavor, intellectual journey, or business enterprise.

What is the importance and significance of Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Ganesh Chaturthi holds immense spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus. Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is believed to bless his devotees with wisdom, success, and good fortune. Devotees seek Lord Ganesha's blessings before starting any work, exam, wedding or new job.

What are the interesting facts about Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Historical Importance: Ganesh Chaturthi has quite a rich kind of ancient background which dates back to the late 19th century. It was championed by the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak to foster a sense of unity and patriotism among Indians during British rule. Today, it continues to promote cultural solidarity.

What are the three points of Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for a whole 11 days. It begins on the Chaturthi when people install the statue of Lord Ganesha in their homes and temples. This festival ends on Anant Chaturdashi with Ganesh Visarjan. The devotees of the Lord Ganesha offer their prayers to God.

Why do we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi story? ›

The stories of Ganesh Chaturthi:

It is said that Ganesha was their kuladevata, and Shivaji Maharaj chose to celebrate the festival with great fervour, all across the Maratha empire. The Peshwas continued the trend, even after Shivaji was long gone and the same is followed even today!

What does Ganesh Chaturthi teach us? ›

Embrace your imperfections

Just as Ganesha is revered and adored, we too should learn to accept and cherish our flaws. Our imperfections make us human, adding depth and character to our stories. By acknowledging and loving ourselves, imperfections and all, we pave the way for genuine self-growth and self-acceptance.

What is the moral value of Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Lord Ganesha's actions teach us to value and respect our parents and elders. There is nothing more important in this materialistic world than the relationship we share with them. We must know our strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly. We must use our minds creatively in every situation.

What is the very short note on Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Ganesha Chaturthi is the 10 day-long Hindu festival held on the birthday of the Lord Ganesha. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is celebrated all over India. The festival is held on shukla chaturthi in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada and ends on Anant chaturdashi.

What are the 4 main rituals of Ganesha Chaturthi? ›

There are four main rituals during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. They are namely Avahana or Pran Pratishtha, Shodashopachara, Ganesh Uttar Puja, and Ganpati Visarjan.

What should be done on Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

To worship Lord Ganesha during this festival, one must clean the house, welcome the idol, and offer durva grass, flowers, modaks, and karanji. The idol is placed on a raised platform, prayers and mantras are recited, and rituals such as Padya Samarpan and panchamrita snaman are performed.

What are the do's and don'ts of Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Do's and Don'ts to follow during Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Lord Ganesha must be made up of clay and not POP or metal as POP is not environment friendly so people must be careful before bring an idol.
  • While bringing Lord Ganesha at home, the face of of the should be covered with a cloth.
Sep 19, 2023

What is the special food of Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

In this blog, we dive deep into the significance of these five delectable delights – modaks, Panchamrut, Puran Poli, coconut rice, and kheer – to uncover the stories that make them an integral part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

What is the difference between Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Advertising: Content continues below ad. Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom and success. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and can last up to 10 days during the Hindu Month of Bhadra, which usually falls between mid-August and mid-September.

What is Ganesha the god of? ›

Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, figure on external wall of a South Indian temple in Kerala, India. Ganesha, elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, who is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors.

What is the most important sweet during Ganesh Chaturthi? ›

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations feature many sweets, but among all Ganesh Chaturthi sweets, the most important is Modak. Almost all of his statues show him holding a bowl of Modaks or chowing down on them with his trunk. Such is Ganesha's devotion to modaks.

What do you know about Vinayaka Chaturthi 10 points? ›

On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, worshippers bring an idol of Lord Ganesha to their home and workplace. The worshippers of Lord Ganesha pray for peace, prosperity, and happiness in their homes over eleven days. During Ganesh Aarti rituals, the god is served Modak and Ladoos during the morning and evening.

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