Significance of Ganesha Chaturthi

We get ready to celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha during the month of August or September every year. Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations last for ten days, at the end of which idols of Lord Ganesha are submerged in water.  

Birth of Lord Ganesha

Worshipping Ganesha, the Lord of fortune and wisdom on his birthday is an act of showing your love and devotion to him, who was created by his mother, Goddess Parvati. Parvati created Ganesha with turmeric powder and asked him to be the gatekeeper while she took bath. Lord Shiva came to meet his consort, when the small boy not knowing who he is, restricted him entering his mother’s private premises. Infuriated Shiva beheaded Ganesha. Knowing that furious Parvati could destroy the universe, Shiva ordered his Ganas to bring the first head they find facing towards North. The Ganas found an elephant sleeping with its head towards the North. Thus the elephant was beheaded and was given to the boy. This is the resurrection of Ganesha with a new head is revered as Ganesha Chaturthi. On this day, Ganesha was also blessed by Lord Shiva that he will be treated as the superior among all Gods and will be the bestower of good fortune, wisdom and prosperity. Revering Ganesha before commencing any venture with Pratham Pooja (First Pooja) will definitely reward with success.

Significance of Ganesha Chaturthi

The history of Ganesha Chaturthi can be traced back to the period of Shivaji, the great warrior King. The Maratha king Shivaji, started worshipping Ganesha on his birthday to bring awareness among his citizens the importance and richness of our nation’s cultural heritage. Thereafter, the festival became popular in the Marathwada region of present Maharashtra. Later, the festivities shrunk from grand 10-day festivities to small Poojas at the household. The festival was revered by the masses when Gopala Krishna Gokhale revived large scale public celebrations of the festival, during the British rule. Gokhale utilized this chance to bring people of different castes and classes together to venerate Lord Ganesha. Since then the significance and celebrations of Ganesha Chaturthi has been ever growing each year. Ganesha Chaturthi falls on August 25 in 2017 marking it an ideal time for you to welcome Lord Ganesha into your life and receive his blessings for fulfillment of your desires and enjoy peace and prosperity blessings.