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Ganesh Chaturthi is the birth anniversary of Lord
Ganesha,
the god of wisdom and prosperity.
This is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. According to the
Hindu calendar, It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi
continue for ten days. During these ten days,
Images of Ganesha are installed within homes as well as in places of assembly,
every morning and evening prayers (Aarti)
are performed and hymns are sung,
Fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets offered to
Lord Ganesh are important aspects of Ganesh chaturthi.
On the day of the Chaturthi, the image is taken
through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be
immersed in the sea (visarjan), symbolizing a ritual see-off of the
Lord taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final
procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya.
Ganesh Chaturthi was not celebrated until the times of
freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who used it a great means to unite Hindus all over India.
Tilak did this so as to cleverly broadcast his
political message of freedom for India. He is the one who, visualized the
cultural importance of this deity and brought in Ganesha Chaturthi as National
Festival.
Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed eldest son of Lord Shiva
and Parvati, and the elder brother of Skanda or
Kartikeya. He is the Lord of
success, education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. He is also known as the
destroyer of evils and obstacles, and is prayed to particularly when
people are beginning a new enterprise or starting a new business.
Praying to Lord Ganesh during the festival will bring good
luck and prosperity for the family.
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