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Resources » Gujarat Special » Festivals / Utsavs and celebrations
Festivals in Gujarat
In several states of India, but especially in Gujarat & Maharashtra clay idols of Ganesh in varying sizes are made and sold.One of the most popular Gods in India, lord Ganesh or Ganpati is considered a symbol of wisdom and a bringer of good luck.Meetings, gatherings, weddings, functions and celebrations begin with a prayer of lord Ganesh and no new venture, be it a new company, a new house, a new shop is inaugurated without reciting a 'mantra' of lord Ganesh.
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Festivals in Gujarat
"Om Ganeshay Namah"
One of the most popular Gods in India, lord Ganesh or Ganpati is considered a symbol of wisdom and a bringer of good luck. It is said that his elephant head epitomises everything related to wisdom, small shrewd eyes, long ears that miss nothing, a long nose that can smell out anything and his vehicle is mouse, reflects how much importance a wise man gives to the smallest of life forms.
Meetings, gatherings, weddings, functions and celebrations begin with a prayer of lord Ganesh and no new venture, be it a new company, a new house, a new shop is inaugurated without a 'mantra' of lord Ganesh.
The birth of Lord Ganesh is on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad Shukla in August or September. This festival is celebrated for 10 days from Ganesh Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi.His vihicle is a rat.
This Lord Ganesh is very famous of sweets and hence khir, panchamrit, fruits and sweets and specially modaks are placed before him as "Naivedya" or "Bhog".
After the ritual worship this "Bhog" is distributed as "Prasad"
The idols are kept as a divine guest for one and a half, five, seven, or ten days, after which the idols are taken out ceremoniously accompanied by drumbeats, devotional songs and dancing and immersed in the river or sea for "visarjan". The Idol is carried towards their watery rest among shouts of "Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Pudhachya varshi lavkar ya"
Legend behind the origin of Ganesh
Centuries ago during a war between the Gods and the Demons, Lord Shiva was away for a long time. His wife, devi Parvati, afraid of being alone for an extended period used her divine powers and created a son(lord ganesh)and gave him the responsibility of protecting the house. When Lord Shiva and his army, returned victorious to his home, Parvati was in her bath, and Ganesh had been strictly instructed not to allow anyone in under the house. Angered by Ganesh's refusal to allow him in to the house, Lord Shiva and his army chopped off the boy's head. When Parvati came out of her bath, she was shocked and grieved to see her son dead. Lord Shiva, to pacify, her proclaimed that the head of Ganesh would be replaced by that of the first creature that came up the hill on north west side. As luck would have it the first visitor to the hill was an elephant's son and his head was promptly cut off and placed on that of Lord Ganesh, and life was restored to the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. To pacify his wife further and compensate for the act of killing his own son, Lord Shiva bestowed upon Ganesh the powers of a God and blessed him that henceforth no activity will begin without invoking your name and blessings.
Since then to till and future, it is said, no new venture "the inauguration of accompany, the opening of a shop, the foundation of a building, entering a new home is deemed complete by Hindus without a Ganesh puja."
Ancient Hindu texts are filled with tales about Lord Ganesh and his powers. one of the most delightful being the one about a contest between him and his brother, Kartikeya. Kartikeya was very proud of his power and vihicle, the peacock, and his own speed and efficiency, challenged lord Ganesh to a race around the world 7 times. While Kartikeya made a tour of the world thrice, Ganesh just encircled lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, his parents 7 times, and claimed victory. The story is often related to inculcate in children the importance of God and their parents.
About Anant Chaturthi
Anant Chaturthi is the last day of the "Ganesh festival" celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the idols of Lord Ganesha installed at home and various "Mandapas" are taken to a pond, lake, river or a sea in great procession with slogan: "ganpati bappa morya, agle baras tu jaldi aa". On this day, people travel to the water front with the idols, big and small, dancing and singing in large procession. The 10 day long festival comes to an end after the immersion ceremony is over.
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| Author: hinal 25 Aug 2011 | Member Level: Gold Points : 1 | hi pritan
This is very nice and historical platform based article.Thank you for giving us this information.Ganpati bappa moriya...
Regards
hinal
| | Author: Pritan 25 Aug 2011 | Member Level: Gold Points : 0 | Hi hinal,
Thank you very much for this "Ganpati Bappa Moriya"
Thanks & Regards
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