The Ganesh Chaturthi festival

Ganesha Chaturthi, the great festival of Ganesha, also known as “Vinayak Chaturthi” or “Vinayaka Chavithi” is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) and the largest and most elaborate of them, particularly in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, lasts 10 days, ending on the day of 'Ananta Chaturdashi'.

The big celebration
A realistic clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months before Ganesh Chaturthi's day. The size of this idol can vary from 3/4 of an inch to over 25 feet.

On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in richly decorated outdoor tents for people to see and pay their respects. The priest, usually dressed in red silk dhotis and shawl, then invokes life in the idol in the midst of chanting mantras. This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'. Next, “shhodashopachara” (16 ways to pay homage) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 “modakas” (rice flour preparation), 21 blades of “durva” (clover) and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red ointment or sandal paste (rakta chandan). During the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are sung.

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshiped. On the 11th day, the image is taken on the streets in a procession accompanied by dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or in the sea. This symbolizes a ritual expedient of the Lord on his journey to his home in Kailash as he takes the woes of the whole man away with him. Everyone joins this final procession, shouting “Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya” (O Father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor, people take the idol to the river to soak it.

The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully made tents. These also serve as a place for free medical visits, blood donation camps, a charity for the poor, drama shows, movies, devotional songs, etc. During the days of the festival.

Recommended activities
On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, meditate on the stories related to Lord Ganesha in the early morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do Lord Ganesha's prayers. Offer him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that he can remove all obstacles you experience on the spiritual path. Worship it at home too. You can get expert assistance. Have a picture of Lord Ganesha in your home. Feel its presence in it.

Don't forget to watch the moon on that day; remember that he behaved unbearably towards the Lord. This really means avoiding the company of all those who have no faith in God and who laugh at God, your Guru and religion, to this day.

Take new spiritual resolutions and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to achieve success in all your endeavors.

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all obstacles that stand in your way! May He grant you all material prosperity and deliverance!