Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a highly famous festival which is widely celebrated in India and by Hindus throughout the world. It venerates Lord Ganesh, the favorite God of most Hindus who is invoked first in all religious ceremonies and auspicious occasions. Many acquire an idol of the Deity and install it in their home for the duration of the festival, performing Pooja daily till the day of immersion. Public podiums are also erected with the particular purpose of installing the idol and allowing everyone to take part in the festivities. After the completion of the period, the Idol is duly taken in a procession to the nearest water body and immersed with due respect and reverence. This act of immersion signifies the dissolution of our sins and frees us from accumulated bad karma.
Many perform the Pooja at home, and any of the family members can conduct the ritual, while others should join in, worshipping the God collectively. This is said to forge unity and a sense of discipline among the family. Some even call priests to perform the Pooja at home, depending on their status and financial considerations. Poojas can be kept simple and need not be lavish or extravagant, deep devotion and a clean body with a clean mind are all that matters. Many observe fast on this day to propitiate Ganesh, and this also indicates the inculcation of discipline. It is very important that the spirit of the ritual be observed and it is not something we should flaunt or display as an expression of our wealth or social status.
Start the Pooja after having a bath and wearing clean clothes. Everyone assembled should stand with folded hands indicating our surrender to the Lord. Several items are kept as offerings, especially Ganesh’s favorite food items which include Modaks (Sweet Dumplings), Durva grass, Shoe flower/Hibiscus and several other things which are dear to Ganesh. Fruits are a favorite of the Deity and bananas, mangoes, citrus limetta (Mausambi), pomegranate and jackfruit are kept as offerings. Offerings with onion, garlic, and ginger are discouraged and should not be added to any food item. Also, meat and other non-vegetarian items are strictly forbidden and under no circumstances even consumed by the participants for the entire duration of the festival. Smashing coconuts is also an integral part of the ceremony, and the Pooja is incomplete without observing this ritual. This act signifies the fact that we smash our egos and submit our inner self at the feet of the Lord. Hymns from several religious texts are chanted to invoke the blessings of the Lord. Aartis are performed in honor of Ganesh in the morning and evening and all those assembled, including family and friends take part in this ritual with deep reverence.
Vinayak Chaturthi Pooja is celebrated in public with great pomp and enthusiasm. Several people get together to organize this festival and install the Idol in specially erected temporary podiums known as mandaps or pandals. Singing, dancing, musical performances and other activities are an integral part of the festival, and many even organize blood donation camps, free medical checkups, and other social initiatives. Donations to the poor and other welfare purposes are also encouraged keeping in mind the significance of the occasion. Here, no one would be differentiated by caste, creed or religion, and anyone and everyone can take part in the festivities. This period also allows for the intermingling of people and many forge new friendships, with some even discarding past enmity, burying their differences. The rich and the poor would get along in the celebrations with each other, and there is a scant disregard for social or economic disparities. This offers a great opportunity to usher in peace and communal harmony, forget past issues and start afresh.
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