Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the Lord Ganesha by Hindus all across India. The Chaturthi is a 10-day festival where devotees welcome the idols of Ganesha and worship him. This year Ganesh Chaturthi will fall on Wednesday, 31st August 2022. The festival generally comes on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada, which is August to September.

Ganesh is also known as Heramba, Ekadanta, Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar. Ganapati Ji, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is considered a God of good fortune, prosperity, and wisdom. Devotees worship him as the God of new beginnings and remover of hurdles.

In states like Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, Ganeshotsav is celebrated with awesome bliss and excitement. 

How is Ganesh Chaturthi/ Ganesh Puja celebrated?

On the first day of the festival, individuals, families, and community people bring idols of Ganapati into their homes. Before welcoming Ganesh, devotees clean and decorate their houses and make a specially decorated platform to place Lord Ganesh’s idol. The statues of Ganapati are made with several materials like Plaster of Paris, clay and sand. 

Devotees bring beautifully handcrafted idols of different sizes before the festival begins. Even in Gujarat, the government recently lifted the control on the size of Ganesh idols for this year Ganeshotsav.

The worship begins with Prana Pratishtha, which is explained as a ritual in Hindu mythology to invoke life in the idols, followed by Shodashopachara Puja, or the 16 – steps of paying tribute. During the festival, devotees offer various things to Ganesh like sweets, red flowers, and coconut. They also apply red sandalwood paste to the idol of Ganesh. According to Vedic Astrology, Midday or Madhyahna, between 11 am to 1:30 pm is considered a good time to perform the ritual, time may vary depending on the region of India.

Lord Ganesh is considered an honoured guest during the Ganesh Chaturthi in homes.

Over the festival’s ten days, people worship Lord Ganesh with an “aarti” in evening prayers. After the aarti, devotees collect and play games, perform a dance, or sing. 

On the tenth day, also called Anant Chaturdashi, the Ganesh idols, are taken out in a procession and immersed in water. This ritual symbolizes Ganesha’s homeward journey to Mount Kailash – where Ganesha’s parents live.

As government officials and civilians expressed growing concern over the water pollution that may occur by immersing statues created from perishable materials, citizens are encouraged to avoid using public waterways and artificial ponds are created for the “Visarjan” ceremony. Statute makers are suggested to use non-perishable materials when creating statutes. 

Lately, devotees of Gujarat preferred the Sabarmati riverfront and Kankaria Lake to immerse the idols, the government in the past few years has become concerned and strict about doing it so. Artificial ponds are suggested and created especially for the purpose. 

Rituals to Observe for Ganesh Chaturthi

Each region of India celebrates the festival differently, so the rituals and traditions may differ slightly. There are a few common observances:

1. Installation of Ganapati statue: Though it is not mandatory to bring idols at home if you wish to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a statue of the elephant God can be installed on a pedestal either at home or in a commonplace, with a Pran Prathishtha Puja.

2. Not looking at the moon: According to tradition, it is said not to look at the moon during certain times on Ganesh Chaturthi. If a person sees the moon, according to Hindu mythology, they’ll be cursed with accusations of theft and dishonoured by society unless they chant a certain mantra. The truth of this was revealed after Lord Krisha was falsely accused of stealing a valuable jewel. Sage Narada said that Krishna must’ve seen the moon on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi (the occasion that Ganesh Chaturthi falls on) and was cursed because of it. Hence it is believed if you do so, you’ll be cursed/accused same.

3. Prayer: Worshipping Ganesh, with an aarti is considered a must ritual in the festival. Offering flowers and sweets and applying red sandalwood paste are a few common ones.

4. Making and eating Modak: As we all know that Ganpati Ji loved eating Modak, it was his favourite sweet. Hence devotees make modak during this festival and distribute it to devotees after offering it to Ganesh.

5. Visarjan: This is the immersion of the idol in a water body, which is directed on the last day. Few people also do visarjan in seven – eleven days of the festival. Devotees take a procession with Ganesh while chanting and seeking forgiveness for mistakes made so far and request God to help them stay on the righteous path. Ganesha is thanked for visiting the home/locality, removing obstacles from paths, and for the auspiciousness he bestows.

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