Ganesh Chaturthi

The story behind Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the avirbhava (divine manifestation) of Shri Ganesha, the Vighnaharta who removes obstacles and grants buddhi, discerning intellect. Observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, it is kept with particular grandeur in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where clay murtis are installed in homes and public mandapas for anywhere between one and a half and ten days. The festival closes with Visarjan, the immersion — a reminder that every form returns to its source, and that the wisdom invoked at a beginning is to be held without attachment.

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi

1. 1

   Murti Sthapana & Pranapratishtha

   Install a clay murti on a clean chowki facing east or north, and invoke the deity's presence with the Pranapratishtha mantra.

2. 2

   Shodashopachara Puja

   Offer the sixteen traditional upacharas — water, cloth, chandan, akshata, flowers, dhoop, deep and naivedya — beginning with durva grass, which is held especially dear to Ganesha.

3. 3

   Modaka Naivedya

   Offer twenty-one modakas together with twenty-one blades of durva, then distribute them as prasad to family and visitors.

4. 4

   Aarti & Visarjan

   Perform aarti morning and evening for as many days as the murti is kept, and conclude with visarjan in a water body or a tank at home.

Ganesh Chaturthi Mantra

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥