Lord Ganesh was created by Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). Parvati created Ganesh from sandalwood dough that she used to bath and breathed life into him. She wanted him to guard the door when she goes for bath. As Ganesh was fulfilling his duty, Lord Shiva decided to meet his wife after a long period of meditation on the mountain Kailash. Since Lord Shiva was not aware of his wife’s creation and had never seen Lord Ganesh, he became furious when Lord Ganesh stopped him at the door and did not let him meet Parvati. Lord Shiva cut off the head of Lord Ganesh and continued on his way to meet Parvati. Moments later, Lord Shiva discovered that he has actually killed none other than Parvati’s son. He immediately ordered his attendants to get him the head of the very first creature they could find. The very first living creature that they could find was an elephant. They cut off the head of the elephant and brought to Lord Shiva. He then placed it on Ganesh’ body and brought him to life. Since then the elephant headed God is known as Ganesh or Ganpati, which means the chief of ganas or attendants of Shiva.
Lord Ganesh is chosen to be a leader as he had once won a race with his brother through his intelligence. One day Lord Ganesh and his younger brother, Kartike decided to take three rounds of the earth. Whoever finishes all three rounds first, will be considered as a leader. Kartike sat on a peacock as a vehicle and started off, whereas, Lord Ganesh was given a rat, which moved very slowly. Lord Ganesh knew it was a hard race. He immediately bend to his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati and went around them three times and as a result, he completed his race before Kartike. He said, “my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth.” Hearing his intelligent logic, Lord Ganesh was thus considered as a Ganadhipati or leader.The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha ruler whose aim was to promote culture and nationalism. The celebration was further re-energized by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) spreading a message of freedom struggle and challenging British who had banned public assemblies. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi brought the feeling of unity and restored the patriotic spirit and faith.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in many different states in India. The preparation begin months in advance. Statues of Lord Ganesh are hand made by artists who creates them in different ways and in different sizes. These statues are set up on the corners of the streets and at homes. The arrangements are elaborated with lightings, decorations such as mirrors, flowers, colorful cloths and much more. Prayers are performed daily during certain hours of the day.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days, depending on the devotee. On the last of the celebration, meaning either first, third, fifth, seventh or on tenth day the statue of Lord Ganesh is carried on the decorated floats to be submerged in the sea. Thousands of devotees parade to the beaches to immerse the holy idols/ statues in the sea. This parade is accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dance. Lord Ganesh is immersed in the sea with a very popular song “Ganpati Bapa Moriya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa,” which means, oh Lord Ganpati, come back soon the next year.
Since Lord Ganesh is considered as the mangal murti (auspicious God) in Hindu religion,even after his idol/ statues are immersed in the sea at the end of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, he is worshipped throughout the year, during every festival and before people starts a journey or a new venture. Lord Ganesh is also found carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, and happily blessing marriages and other such occasions.
May Lord Ganesh bless all with wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
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