Ganesh Chaturthi will start on September 19 this year. The Hindu holiday of Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the god of success and knowledge. Continue reading to learn more specifics about Vinayaka Chavithi.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is an important Hindu festival that is enthusiastically observed by Hindus in India and around the world. This joyous event commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, a beloved Hindu deity who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is recognised as the god of learning, riches, and fresh beginnings. The event always takes place on the fourth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which, depending on the lunar calendar, usually occurs in August or September. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi is on September 19, a Tuesday, and the Ganesh Visarjan is on September 28, a Thursday, which is Anant Chaturdashi.
History
Even though Ganesh Chaturthi is customarily observed in the majority of Indian states, Maharashtra stands out for the fervour with which it is observed. It's interesting to note that until the Maratha era, it had not been a significant aspect of Maharashtra heritage. In actuality, Ganesh Chaturthi began as a family celebration. In an effort to resist British authority, Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856–1920), a well-known figurehead of the Indian Independence Movement, is credited with creating Lord Ganesh a potent emblem of culture and togetherness among the people of Maharashtra. While the British government repressively put down political revolutions and rallies, it did not meddle with religious rituals. Consequently, the Vinayaka Chavithi festival gave a platform for demonstrating racial harmony. Ganesh Chaturthi was once a family celebration that took place every year until Tilak revamped it in 1893 and made it a standalone public holiday.
Significance
Lord Ganesh is regarded as the god of fortune, knowledge, and wealth in Hindu mythology. Heramba, Ekadanta, Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar are additional names for Ganesh. One of the most well-known Hindu holidays in the nation is Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi. Lord Vinayaka is revered for bestowing wealth and preventing natural disasters. On top of a human body, Lord Vinayaka is seen with an elephant head. God Ganesh is said to be the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in Hindu tradition.
Ganesh Chaturthi Rituals
The 10 days of Ganesh Chaturthi are mostly devoted to four rituals. Pranapartishtha, Shhodashopachara, Utarpuja, and Ganpati Visarjan are a few of these. One week before Ganesh Chaturthi starts, everyone is giddy with anticipation. Ganesha statues in a range of postures and dimensions started to be made by artisans. These idols are housed in exquisitely designed homes and pandals. When a priest chants a mantra to awaken a deity, it is known as a pranapartishtha ceremony.
The idol of Ganesha is then blessed in 16 different ways. The name of this ceremony is Shhodashopachara. In addition to singing or playing religious music, dancing to the beat of drums, and using pyrotechnics, people commemorate Vinayaka Chavithi. Ganesha is bid farewell during the Uttarpuja rite, which is conducted after the entire Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. The Ganpati Visarjan ceremony, in which the figure is now submerged in water, comes next. People frequently cry "Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya"—which translates to "Goodbye God, please come back next year"—in Marathi as they carry the statue to the sea and submerge it.
Date
This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on Tuesday, September 19. Ganesh Chaturdashi, also known as Vinayak Chaturdashi or Ganesh Utsav, is a very important Hindu festival. Countless states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, observe the Lord Ganesha celebrations with great fervour. The Ganesha Visarjan, which takes place on September 28th, will mark the conclusion of the 10-day Ganesh Utsav festival. Hindu mythology states that Lord Ganesha was born during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, which corresponds to August-September on the Gregorian calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 takes place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
Time
According to the Hindu calendar, Vinayak Chaturdashi will take place in 2023 from 12:39 PM on September 18 to 8:43 PM on September 19th. Notably, the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat, which lasts for 2 hours and 27 minutes, is planned from 11:01 AM to 01:28 PM.
