Vinayaka Chathurthi History
Vinayaka Chathurthi, also known as Ganesha Chaturthi is a prominent Indian festival celebrated across the country with devotion and great joy. This festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, who is believed as the Lord of wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival is witnessed on the 4th day of new moon night falling in the month of Bhadrapada as per the Hindu calendar. It is a 10-day festival that ends on Ananta Chaturdashi.
History of Vinayaka Chathurthi
The festival of Vinayaka Chathurthi originated in the Maratha reign. It was started by Chatrapati Shivaji with a strong belief in Lord Ganesha, the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
Though there are various stories associated with the birth of Lord Ganesha, we will tell you about the most relevant one.
When Goddess Parvati decided to take bath in the absence of Lord Shiva, she created Lord Ganesha with her sandalwood paste. She put him to guard so that no one enters the premises. While she was gone, Lord Shiva insisted on entering the premises and eventually ended up a fight with Ganesha as he did not allow him to enter the premises as per his the order of his mother. Engraved with anger, Lord Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head.
Parvati came out land finding Lord Ganesha dead with his head cut off she took the form of Goddess Kali and threatened to destroy the entire world. As a solution to this, Lord Shiva ordered his followers to immediately go and search for a child whose mother has her back while sleeping in negligence and bring his head. The followers saw the head of only an elephant and as ordered cut his head and brought to Lord Shiva.
To protect the world from destruction, Lord Shiva immediately placed the elephant’s head on Ganesha’s head and brought him to life again. Goddess Parvati was overwhelmed while Lord Ganesha was showered with blessings of all the gods and goddesses.
How is Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebrated?
The preparations for this wonderful festival commences from almost 30 days before the festival. The celebration starts on Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi, which is the first day and continues to Ananta Chaturdashi, which is the last day of the festival.
On the very first day, a clay idol of Lord Ganesha is placed in the home. The home is decorated lavishly with flowers, decorative pieces, lights, and other elements. The devotees perform puja on a daily basis for 10 days as well as bhajans are chanted.
On the last day of celebration, the idol of Lord Ganesha is finally immersed in the sea or river. This day is witnessed by large numbers of devotees expressing their happiness and offer prayers to the lord.
During the Pujan there are varieties of sweets offered to Lord Ganesha, but Modak is known to be the favorite sweet of Lord Ganesha and therefore is one of the main dishes for the day.
Lord Vinayaka is known by 108 different names, and Vinayaka Chathurthi is a scared festival celebrated all across the world.
