Ganesha Chaturthi is a famous Hindu festival celebrated throughout India. Ganesha Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and it is observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. While celebrated all over India, the celebrations are the most elaborated and the grandest in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka. Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad are some of the most significant cities to watch and enjoy Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations. Ganesha Chaturthi is also known as Siddhi Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesha Chauth. It is considered the most important day to worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is considered the God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped first among all Gods and before starting any Puja or ritual.
It is believed that in these 10 days Lord Ganesha graces the earth and brings happiness, wisdom, and prosperity to his devotees. Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, which is celebrated as per the Hindu calendar in the Bhadrapada month.
Ganesha Chaturthi Date and Time
As per Hindu Calendar -
Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (4th day) of Bhadrapada (6th month). This year Ganesh chaturthi fallen on 31 August 2022 Wednesday..
Shubh muhurat 10:21 am - 12.52 pm. On previous day time to avoid Moon sighting - 03:33 PM to 07:55 PM, Aug 30
Duration - 04 Hours 23 Mins. Time to avoid Moon sighting - 08:36 AM to 08:30 PM Duration - 11 Hours 54 Mins.
Puja Vidhi
Interestingly, every region in India has a unique way of celebrating this festival. However the basic rituals remain the same such as cleaning the place of worship, decorating the mandir or place of worship with flowers and lights, placing the idol of Lord Ganesha, preparing some delicious bhog and singing hymns and performing arti are some of the simple ways of seeking the blessings of the almighty.
How to place the idol
Devotees clean and decorate the place of worship, which is followed by placing the idol of Lord Ganesha on a red cloth. Then in front of the idol a water pot, coconut, cardamom, ‘panchamrit’, ‘roli’, ‘akshat’, and ‘laung’ are arranged beautifully for the rituals. Apart from that there are other essentials of this puja that include ‘supari’, ‘Kalavajaneoo’, ‘Chandi ka vark’, ‘ghee’, ‘kapur’, ‘panchmeva’, ‘gangajal’, ‘chaukee’ and haldi and kumkum for the tikka.
Ganesha Chaturthi Observance
- Buying beautiful Ganesha Idol.
- A day long fast.
- Nitualistically installing Ganesha idol on Ganesha Chaturthi.
- Shodashopachara Ganesha Puja during Madhyahna on Ganesha Chaturthi
- Avoid moonsighting.
- Daily worshipping Lord Ganesha for next 10 days
- Bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha on Anant Chaturdashi day.
Ganesha Chaturthi Dishes
- Modak
- Til and Jaggery Laddu
- Besan Laddu (made of gram flour or chickpea flour)
- Motichoor Laddu.
Ganesh Visarjan
On the 10th day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi is observed, it is the day when devotees sing, dance and come together to bid farewell to the Lord Ganesha. The devotees gather up and hold huge processions for Ganesh Visarjan.
