Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with unmatched vigour across the country to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of prosperity, and new beginnings. As Mumbai starts celebrating its favourite festival today, we bring you 10 interesting facts about the auspicious occasion. Pics/Bipin Kokate, Satej Shinde
Updated On: 2021-09-10 12:15 PM IST
In Hindu culture, Ganpati is worshipped before any God. It is believed that Lord Shiva blessed his son with this boon.
Most of us know that Modak is Lord Ganesha's favourite bhog. But another dessert which is believed to be loved by the elephant-headed God is puran poli.
Lord Ganesha is also worshiped in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nepal, and China.
Two different stories revolve around Ganesha’s birth. One story says that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha out of dirt off her body when she was bathing. The other legend says that Ganesha was created by Shiva and Parvati, on the request of Devas. The Devas wanted Ganesha to be a vighnakartaa (obstacle-creator) in the path of rakshasas (and a vighnahartaa (obstacle-averter) to help the Devas.
While many believe that Lord Ganesha is not married, there are numerous instances where Ganesha is worshipped with his two wives-Ridhi and Sidhi.
The first Ganesh Chaturthi celebration dates back to the era of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja. The festival continued to be celebrated by the Peshwas. However, after the fall of the Peshwas, the festival was revived by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak during 1893.
Throughout Ganesh Chaturthi, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and the Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
It is believed that reciting 108 names of Lord Ganesha during the festival brings good luck to the devotees.
The word Ganpati is the combination of two words. 'Gana' means category with respect to human feelings and expressions and the categories they can be divided into. 'Pati' means ruler. Therefore, Ganpati stands for 'Ruler of categories'.
Shhodashopachara is one of the four main rituals observed during Ganesh Chaturthi. Shhodashopachara means 16 ways of paying tribute to Lord Ganesha. The 16 steps include Aavaahana, Pratishthapan, Aasana Samarpana, Arghya Samarpan, Achamana, Madhuparka, Snaana, Vastra Samapana, Yagyopavit, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedya and Taamblooa.
