Lord Ganesha is the parampujya (worshipped foremost) Hindu God. Welcome readers, today I am going to talk about Lord Ganesha in this blog.
| Shri Ganeshaye namah ||
Salutations to Lord Ganesha.
Namaste!
This mantra you will find in every religious and auspicious event, puja or any new beginnings or practice in Hindu house.
Introduction
Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, is one of the most revered and widely worshipped Hindu God. His mischievous nature, cleverness and adventures has given him many names aka. Vighnharta (remover of obstacles), Vinayak (master of knowledge), Ekdant (God with one teeth in front), Lambodara (God with big belly), Girijanandan (son of Girija) and many more. Even, he has distinctive appearance. Subsequently, he carries the significant symbolism in Hinduism.
Appearance of Lord Ganesha
Also, let’s read about the appearance of most loved Hindu god.
a) Elephant Head of Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha is commonly depicted with the head of an elephant. The elephant is highly revered in Indian culture for its strength, intelligence, and ability to overcome obstacles. He is also called Gajanan (lord of gaj).
Apparently, his elephant head represents wisdom, intelligence, and a deep understanding of the world.
b) Large Stomach of Lord Ganesha
Additionally, Lord Ganesha is also called Lambodara because of his big round belly. His large stomach symbolizes his ability to digest both the positive and negative experiences of life. Although, he might be called a round belly hindu God but his big belly suggests us that he has an encompassing nature.
c) Four Arms of Lord Ganesha
And, Lord Ganesha is also called charbhuja dhari (with four arms), each holding various weapons and objects. Hindu God Ganesha symbolize his ability to perform multiple tasks with four hands.
Particularly, he has an axe, lotus, showing one hand to bless and modak (a type of Indian sweet) in his four hands. All of these objects have their own symbolic significance. Namely, they represent manas (mind), buddhi (intellectual), ahamkar (ego) and chitta (conscious).
d) Big ears of Lord Ganesha
Indeed lord Ganesha has big ears but he gives us a message to be a good listener. His big ears depicts that we should empathise and listens to everyone with patience.
Ganesha Chaturthi / Birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha
Specifically, Ganesh Chaurthi is one of the festival celebrated with full of joy and enthusiasm. It is celebrated all over the world. Namely, it is celebrated on the fourth day of bhadrapada mas of Hindu panchang. Also, this festival denotes the birth anniversary of most loved Hindu God, Lord Ganesha.
Date of Ganesh Chauth 2024
Generally, people call this celebration as Ganesha janamotsav or Vinayak Chaturthi. We will celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi on 7 September 2024.
Moreover, devotees decorate their houses and pandals with flowers, rangoli, lights, bandarwan and other decorations.
Rituals and tradtions of Ganesh Chaturthi
a) Infact, Ganesha chaturthi is all about majorly four functions i.e. Pranapratishtha, Shodashopachara, Uttarpuja and Ganpati Visarjan.
b) However, this festival is celebrated for 10 days. Firstly, a statue of Lord Ganesha is installed at home or big pandal. In this, a priest chants mantras to invoke life into the idol i.e. pranprathishtha.
c) Secondly, devotees perform Shodashopachara. Shodashopachara means puja is offered to the Lord in 16 different ways. Meanwhime, people do offer bhog (modak) and aarti to the idol twice a day.
d) Also, they sing hymns to praise the Lord. Thirdly, Uttarpuja ritual is performed. In this ritual, devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with love and respect.
e) Lastly devotees perform Ganesh Visarjan. At the end of tenth day, all devotees dance and enjoy the procession to the nearby ghat. Here, they take the idol with great pomp and show to immerse the idol to nearby river, ocean or other water body. They keep on reciting and shouting slogans -GANPATI BAPPA MORYA, AGLE BARAS TU JALDI AA.
To sum up, I would say Lord Ganesha is the god of beginning. Devotees seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha before embarking on new ventures, important tasks, or at the beginning of any auspicious occasion. He is remover of hurdles, intellectual, witty, obedient son and great Hindu god. It is believed that by worshiping him, one can gain wisdom, knowledge, and success.
Particularly, Vastu Shastra often suggest people to keep Ganesha idol in different material at home and workplace. As these idols are a symbol of good luck, fortune, and auspicious beginnings.
Meanwhile, Hindus will start celebrating Chaturmas from 17 July 2024 and ending on 12 Novemeber 2024. Thus, Lord Ganesha would be welcomed in every puja.
Conclusion
Have a blessed day.
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