Ganesh Chaturthi starts on September 19 this year.
Ganesh Chaturthi witnesses devotees taking the idol of Lord Ganesha to their homes or in a public pandal. The idol is worshiped for 10 days.
The festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, have begun with great enthusiasm. This revered Hindu festival is celebrated nationwide with grandeur and devotion. This year’s Ganesh Chaturthi, spread over ten days, started on September 19 and will continue till September 28. It commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity and happiness.
Ganesh Chaturthi witnesses devotees welcoming the idol of Lord Ganesha into their homes or public pandals. The idol is worshiped for ten days and concludes with a ceremonial immersion in water, accompanied by the chant “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Laukariya” (Hail Lord Ganpati, come soon next year).
Astrologer and Bhagwat Acharya Pandit Ramesh Chandra Shastri offers insights into the choice of metal for Lord Ganesha’s idol to seek blessings and benefits during this festival. According to him, worshiping Lord Ganesha in an emerald idol during Ganesh Chaturthi can be exceptionally fruitful and fulfill the wishes of devotees.
The astrologer emphasizes that Lord Ganesha occupies a prominent place in Vedic culture as he is the first deity to be worshiped in the Vedas. He reinforces this belief by chanting a mantra that means, “Ganesh, you are Brahma, you are Vishnu and you are Rudra.”
To prepare for the Ganesh Chaturthi puja rituals, certain items are essential. These include Agarbatti and Dhoop (joss sticks and incense), an Aarti Thali, Supari (betel nuts), Paan leaves (betel), a clean cloth reserved for covering the Ganesh idol, and Sandli.
After bringing the Ganpati idol home, it is important to have ready specific offerings including red flowers, druva blades of grass, modak (sweet dumplings), coconut and red chandan (sandalwood paste).
Devotees are encouraged to perform the rituals with devotion and maintain a regular prayer routine. It is believed that worshiping Lord Ganesha with pure and hypocritical intentions invokes blessings and brings wisdom, health and prosperity in their lives.