Ganesh Chaturthi
गणेश चतुर्थी
The birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed remover of obstacles. Clay idols of Ganesha are installed in homes and public pandals, worshipped for up to ten days, then immersed in water.
Why We Celebrate
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is worshipped first before all other deities. According to the Shiva Purana, Parvati created Ganesha from turmeric paste and gave him life. Ganesha is revered as Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles), Buddhi Pradayaka (bestower of intelligence), and the patron deity of arts and learning. The modern public celebration was revived by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 as a way to unite communities.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. According to legend, Parvati created Ganesha from turmeric paste (or sandalwood) and breathed life into him, asking him to guard the door while she bathed. When Shiva returned and Ganesha refused him entry, Shiva beheaded the boy in anger. Devastated, Parvati demanded Ganesha be brought back to life. Shiva sent his attendants to find the first head they could — an elephant — and thus Ganesha was reborn.
Ganesha is worshipped as Vighnaharta (the remover of obstacles), Buddhi Pradayaka (the bestower of wisdom), and the deity of new beginnings. He is always invoked first before any puja, ritual, or new venture. His large ears remind us to listen more, his small eyes to concentrate, his big belly to digest good and bad experiences, and his broken tusk (used to write the Mahabharata) symbolizes sacrifice for knowledge.
The modern public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was popularized by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 to unite people during India's freedom struggle. Today, clay idols of Ganesha are installed in homes and grand public pandals, worshipped for 1 to 10 days, and then immersed in water (Visarjan) with music and processions, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.
How It's Celebrated
Bring home or install an eco-friendly clay Ganesh idol (Ganesh Sthapana)
Perform Prana Pratishtha (invoking life into the idol) with mantras
Offer modak (sweet dumplings), durva grass, red flowers, and coconut
Chant Ganesh Atharvashirsha or Vakratunda Mahakaya mantra
Worship daily for 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days with aarti morning and evening
On the final day, perform Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) with a joyful procession
Regional Variations
What You Need
- Eco-friendly clay Ganesh idol
- Modak (homemade or store-bought)
- Durva grass (21 blades)
- Red hibiscus flowers
- Coconut and seasonal fruits
- Red or yellow cloth for the platform
- Incense, camphor, oil lamp, and aarti thali
- Sindoor (vermillion) for the idol
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Ganesh Sthapana
Installing the Ganesh murti at home
Ganesh Visarjan
The farewell immersion ceremony
The full step-by-step guided walkthrough with audio, mantras, translations, and a supply checklist is available in the app.
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Did You Know?
- ✦Ganesha's broken tusk has a beautiful story — he broke it off and used it as a pen to write the Mahabharata as the sage Vyasa dictated it, symbolizing sacrifice for knowledge and learning.
- ✦Modak (sweet dumplings) are Ganesha's favorite food — it is said that offering 21 modaks to Ganesha fulfills all desires, which is why they are the primary prasad during Ganesh Chaturthi.
- ✦Lokmanya Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private family celebration into a massive public festival in 1893 as a way to unite Indians and bypass British colonial bans on public gatherings.
Related Festivals
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