Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Rituals and significance | Fusion - WeRIndia

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of India’s most beloved festivals, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.

Celebrated with grandeur across the country, this auspicious occasion usually falls during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, which corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar.

In 2024, there is some confusion regarding the exact date of Ganesh Chaturthi.

While the Chaturthi tithi begins on September 6 and extends to September 7, Drik Panchang confirms that the festival will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7.

Devotees will bring home idols of Ganpati Bappa and perform the sthapana (installation) of the deity, followed by rituals, prayers, and offerings.

The festivities typically last for one-and-a-half, three, seven, or ten days, culminating in Ganesh Visarjan, where the idol is immersed in water.

The rituals of Vinayaka Chaturthi are elaborate and filled with devotion. The celebration begins with Ganesh Sthapana, where idols are installed in homes and public pandals.

The deity is placed on a decorated platform, and devotees perform the sthapana with Vedic chants and rituals.

Next, the Pranapratishtha ritual involves invoking life into the idol through specific mantras and offerings.

This is followed by Shodashopachara, where sixteen forms of tribute are offered to Lord Ganesha. These include flowers, incense, lights, sweets etc. Devotees chant hymns and prayers dedicated to the lord, expressing their reverence and devotion.

A key aspect of the celebration is the offering of Modaks, sweet dumplings made of rice flour, coconut, and jaggery, which are believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite.

Daily Aartis and Bhajans are performed in the morning and evening, with devotees singing praises of Lord Ganesha and seeking his blessings.

The festival concludes with Visarjan, where the idol is taken in a grand procession and immersed in a water body.

This ritual symbolizes the cycle of creation and dissolution, reminding devotees of the impermanence of life.

Ganesh Chaturthi remains a time of joy, devotion, and cultural celebration, bringing communities together to honour the beloved Lord Ganesha.

Image Credit: Tara Knand, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Idol_of_Lord_Ganesha_worshipped_on_the_occasion_of_Ganesh_Chaturthi.jpg