22 August,2020 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Devotees carry an idol of Lord Ganesha from a workshop in Thakur village in Kandivli. Pic/Satej Shinde
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is celebrated every year to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival takes place in the month of Bhadra, according to the Hindu calendar. This year, it begins on August 22 and will continue till September 1.
Lord Ganesha is addressed by many other names such as Gajanana, Ganesh and Gajadant, and he is believed to be a symbol of wisdom, luck and good fortune.
The festival is celebrated in the most elaborate forms in Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, this year the celebrations have been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ganesh Chaturthi begins on August 22, Saturday
Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat: 11:06 am to 1:42 pm
Chaturthi tithi begins: 11:02 pm on August 21
Chaturthi tithi ends: 7:57 pm on August 22
Ganesh Visarjan is on September 1, Thursday
Goddess Parvati made Ganesha out of sandalwood paste and put him on guard while she was taking a bath. When Lord Shiva came back, Ganesha would not allow him to enter. Enraged Lord Shiva severed the child's head. On finding out, Goddess Parvati was heartbroken, after which Shiva promised that he would bring Ganesha back to life. And that is how Lord Ganesha came into being after he was re-born with the head of an elephant.
The ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav kicks off with Pranapratishhtha, which include chanting of mantras by a priest. This is followed by a 16-step ritual called Shodashopachara Puja, in which offerings such as modak, shrikhand, payasam, coconut rice and motichoor laddoo are placed in front of the idol.
Devotees get Lord Ganesha idols home and also throng to the temples to offer prayers. People prepare a variety of sweets for bhog/prasad. Localities and residential complexes also put up pandals in which Lord Ganesha statues are put up. The festival is concluded with a ritual called Uttarpuja, after which the idol is immersed in water.
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