In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great zeal every year. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, and it celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birth. The celebration begins on the shukla chaturthi in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada (fourth day of the waxing moon). In 2021, it will be celebrated on September 10. On September 21, the fest will come to an end.
Lord Ganesha is worshipped first in various cultures before starting any puja or anything auspicious in homes or places of business.
On the festival day, clay idols of Ganesh are put in homes or in colourful tents outside for people to see and pay their respects. In a process known as ‘pranapratishhtha,’ priests will then breathe life into the idols while chanting mantras.
Why do we pray to Lord Ganesha first?
There are two stories in Indian mythology that are said to be the reasons why many Hindu rituals begin with the devotion of Lord Ganesha.
The first is when Goddess Parvati commands her son Lord Ganesha to keep an eye on her rooms. Little Ganesha follows the commands and prevents Lord Shiva from entering the rooms, which enrages the god, who then cuts Ganesha’s head off. Goddess Parvati was angry, and she asked Lord Shiva to bring her son alive or she would threaten to destroy the universe.
Lord Shiva then blessed Lord Ganesha by replacing his head with that of a baby elephant and allowing him to be worshipped before anyone.
According to the second mythological storey, Lord Ganesha and his elder brother Lord Karthikeya competed in a race. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati challenged both brothers to go around the world and see who could finish first. While Lord Karthikeya starts his race thinking Ganesha is slow and will never be able to win, Ganesha goes around his parents, expressing his love for them.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were so moved by Lord Ganesh’s devotion for his parents and his ability to win the race that they blessed him with the fruit of wisdom as well as immortality.
This is why, before starting anything new, we seek Lord Ganesha’s grace.
