Saturday, 07 September 2024

Ganesh Chaturthi is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is a 10-day festival marking the birth of deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom.

There are four main rituals which are performed during the 10-day long festival. They are namely-- Pranapratishhtha, Shodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganpati Visarjan. The Ganesha idols are installed in beautifully decorated 'pandal' at homes, temples or localities, it is called Pranapratishhtha is observed where a priest chants mantra to invoke life in the diety. Prayers are then offered to Ganesha's idol in 16 different ways. This ritual is called Shodashopachara. The Uttarpuja ritual is then performed which is about bidding farewell to Ganesha with deep respect. This is followed by Ganpati Visarjan, a ceremony wherein the statue is now immersed in water. Lord Ganesh is given farewell on 'Anant Chaturdashi'.

Ganesh Chaturthi (1950 to 2050)