The prominent Hindu holiday of Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, is observed in India in 2023. The god of wisdom and wealth, Lord Ganesh, celebrates his birthday on this day. The 10-day Hindu festival will be observed this year beginning on September 19 and running through September 28.
On September 18th or 19th, when is Ganesh Chaturthi?
It is said that Lord Ganesh was born around midday, hence worship of the god is conducted at that hour. Midday refers to noon in the context of Hindu day division. The brilliant half of the Bhadrapada month is when Lord Ganesh is said to have been born in Hindu mythology. The event thus typically occurs between the Gregorian months of August and September. It will be observed this year on September 19, 2023.
How did Ganesh Chaturthi come to be celebrated?
One of the most well-known and celebrated holidays among Indian populations in India and around the world is Ganesh Chaturthi. Though it is unknown when and how Ganesh Chaturthi was originally observed, Bal Gangadhar Tilak launched the public celebration in Pune in 1893. He used this festival to bring the people together.
Tilak supported this festival as a means of getting over British authorities’ objection to the 1892 prohibition on public gatherings. An Indian freedom fighter named Lokmanya Tilak supported the event at the time as a way to get around the British colonial government’s 1892 anti-public assembly statute, which placed limitations on Hindu assemblies. Ganesh Chaturthi quickly rose to prominence as a significant and well-liked movement in the fight for independence.
What does Ganesh Chaturthi represent?
The Ganesh Chaturthi holiday celebrates Lord Ganesh, the god of beginnings and the remover of barriers. It serves as a unifying force that brings people from all backgrounds together to celebrate as a community, cultivating a sense of solidarity and unity while bridging social and economic divides.
All over India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Goa, people venerate Lord Ganesh, the Hindu god of intellect and knowledge. In addition to India, Hindu diaspora also celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi in Nepal, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and other Caribbean countries, along with the United States.
What is the rationale behind the prohibition of moon sighting during Ganesh Chaturthi?
Several customs that give advice on what to do and what not to do are observed on Ganesh Chaturthi. One such custom is the ban on moon sightings on this particular day. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, it is thought that seeing the moon brings about false charges or false blame, signifying the act of theft. This idea originates from the ancient tale in which Lord Ganesh, who had been wrongfully accused of stealing, cursed the moon. As a result, Lord Krishna kept the Ganesh Chaturthi fast in order to clear his name of the charge and stain.
Extensive rituals, prayers, and cultural events are held over the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. In addition to offering prayers, sweets, and fruits, devotees erect clay statues of Lord Ganesha in their homes and public spaces. The idols are afterwards submerged in water on the last day as a representation of the deity’s return to his heavenly realm. This celebration promotes a stronger sense of community and spirituality while representing the cycle of creation and destruction.
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Spiritual Reflection:
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just about festivities; it’s also a time for introspection, spiritual growth, and seeking blessings for personal and communal well-being.
Visarjan:
The culmination of the festival is the grand visarjan (immersion) procession, where the idols are bid farewell and immersed in water bodies, symbolizing Lord Ganesh’s return to his heavenly abode. This procession is accompanied by music, dance, and fervent chants.