Mumbai: Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The day usually falls either in August or September.
This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, not only in India but also abroad where there are a large number of Indians. Lord Ganesha is also known as ‘Vighnaharta’ (Remover or demolisher of obstacles). People believe that if Ganesh puja is done properly it will help them overcome all obstacles in life. This year Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated September 2.
Lord Ganesha is the only deity whose name is always pronounced at the beginning of any prayer or auspicious work. It is said that those who bring Lord Ganpati to their home on his birthday and worship him with full devotion then all sufferings will disappear from their lives.
Lord Ganesha is also called ‘Vinayaka’. Durba (Grass) has special significance in Ganesh Puja and without Durba it is incomplete. There is this belief that Lord Ganesha loves ‘laddu’. If ‘laddu’ is offered to him then Ganesh will fulfil all the wishes of the devotee. It is also said that whoever worships Lord Ganesha with piousness and clean heart then that person will be blessed with wisdom and intelligence.
The festivals end on the 10th day after the birthday of Lord Ganesha is celebrated. The immersion ceremony of Lord Ganesha usually is done with a lot of pomp and splendour.
In Mumbai alone, around 1,50,000 statues are immersed annually. Top actors of the Hindi film industry including Amitabh Bachchan celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha with fanfare.
PNN/Agencies
