Ganesh chaturthi 2023: Mythological significance, Vrat, Pooja and Mantra
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 18-09-2023
Heart It
The mythological basis of the celebration is found in the Puranas.
Parvati, while taking a bath, wanted somebody to guard from outside. She
got the idea of making an idol out of the dirt that came from her body.
She placed the idol outside. The idol did not even let her husband
enter. Shankar became furious and instantly severed the head of the
idol. Parvati finished her bath and came out. She explained to her
husband the reason for placing the idol before the door. The idol was
her creation. In fact the idol was her son ("manas putra"), and
consequently also Shankar's son.
Shankar regretted for what he
had done. His servant Gan was standing nearby. Shankar ordered him to go
and bring the head of the first living being he would meet. The servant
saw an elephant, and he at once cut his head and took it to Shankar.
Shankar joined the elephant's head to the body of Parvati's son. "Gaj"
means elephant and "anan" means head, so Parvati's son became known as
"Gajanan". Shankar made him the deity of his armies and thus his name
became Ganesh.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated
in honour of the Lord Ganesha, Son of Mahadeva and Devi Parvati. Ganesha
Chaturthi also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayaka Chavithi' is
observed as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha; the Lord of
knowledge, wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. He is also called by
other names as vinayaka, vigneshwara, ganapathi etc.
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja
Ganesha puja starts from installing a
clay idol of Lord Ganesha in your home. Various dishes are cooked for
offering. The idol is given a bath with pure water and then decorated
with flowers. Jyoti is lit and then the aarti begins. Various bhajans
and mantras are chanted at this time. It is believed that chanting the
mantras with complete devotion brings or invoking life to the idol.