Vinayak Chavithi, or Vinayak Chaturthi, is often called Ganesh Chaturthi, an auspicious ten-day festival of the Hindu religion. As per the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Bhadra month, often between August and September. The day is marked as Lord Ganesha’s birthday in Hindu scriptures.

Since Lord Ganesha is believed to be a deity for wisdom, prosperity, knowledge, and sciences, the Lord is often called pratham pujya. Lord Ganesha is also called vighnaharta because he is believed to remove all the obstacles and challenges faced in a person’s life, and celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to bring happiness and joy among deities. SmartPuja’s pandits help people seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha through accurately performing Ganesh Chaturthi Puja.

History of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to have been celebrated since King Shivaji’s era in the 18th century since Peshwas were thought to be Lord Ganesha’s followers. During the Britishers’ rule, Ganesh Chaturthi was restricted to be observed as a private affair and was limited as a state festivity. But, Ganesh Chaturthi was turned by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to a grand festival for the general public and was not specified as a private festivity.

Ganesh Chaturthi’s primary purpose was to bring people together as they united by praying together. Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated daily between Sharavan Shukla Chaturthi and Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi during the 18th and 19th centuries. People used to create Lord Ganesha’s idol every morning and immerse it every evening.

But, the reason for its beginning and where it originated should be mentioned in any scripture.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

As per Hinduism, devotees’ wishes are fulfilled, and the obstacles are eliminated by praying and honouring Lord Ganesha. Worshipping Lord Ganesha is Ganesh Chaturthi’s primary essence. They are led to wisdom and knowledge paths, and their sins are believed to be eliminated when they worship Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Many artisans prepare Lord Ganesha’s idols many days before the Ganesh Chaturthi’s celebrations. Pandals and residences or other public places are decorated to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. 

The primary rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi include Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, Pranapratishtha, and idol immersion on Ganpati Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi. People and communities celebrate the ten-day festivals by chanting mantras, singing, and offering modak and other delicacies to Lord Ganesha. The first day is marked as the welcoming of lord Ganesha, and the tenth day is observed as the idol’s immersion or Ganpati Visarjan. People also bring the idol for less than ten days as per their beliefs and convenience.

Conclusion

Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha’s birth, is celebrated for ten days across India, specifically in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Hyderabad. Specific rituals and pujas are performed during Ganeshotsav or Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations or pujas to gain knowledge, prosperity, and wisdom.  

Pandits from SmartPuja help people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi during Madhyana Kala since the Lord’s birth was during this period. Our pandits perform ritualistic puja from sunrise to sunset, i.e., during Pratahkalam Sangava, Madhyana, Aparahna, and Sayankal, the five parts of the day. Performing ritualistic puja on Ganesh Chaturthi may help devotees fulfil their wishes.