Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi 2010 falls on September 11, Saturday. And the whole of India is gearing up to celebrate the festival with proper fanfare and of course adhering to the tradition.
While the northern half may not be lucky enough to get a week long holiday on account of Ganesh Chaturthi, the south is definitely having a fun-filled mini-vacation as we celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Click here Ganesh Chtirthi 2010 Greeting, Photos
Beginning on the Shukla Chaturthi the celebrations continue until Anata Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, the festival marks the birthday of the God of wisdom and prosperity. The festivities are a sight to behold specially in the states of Maharashtra, Goa & Karnataka.
The Mumbaikars are already in full swing preparing to welcome Lord Ganesha amidst themselves on Saturday. Nearly a month ahead of the festival artisans start working on clay idols of the Lord Ganesha that are then sold. Huge mandaps are set up where beautiful images of Lord Ganesha are decorated. Click here Ganesh Chaturthi SMS
The podiums are ideally decorated with banana leaves and the like. Mostly youngsters revel in the festivities having no school to worry about. Educational institutions too hold puja on Ganesh Chaturthi where the students are also invited to take part.
Earlier the festival was revived in the British period so as to unite the Indians and make us aware of our rich tradition. The move was initiated by the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In order to help the Hindus breakdown all barriers and come together, he had declared that Lord Ganesha is indeed the God of one and all.
But these days the festival is rather commercialized as the puja mandaps bear a very sophisticated look with modern music systems playing remixed bhajans! Youngsters happily dress up and derive ample pleasure from the fact that it’s a holiday but fail to understand the true meaning of the festival.
Yet the devout stay true to their faith and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha to bless them.
The festival ends with the immersion of the clay idols in a water body on Anata Chaturthi as the sad worshippers bid adieu to their favourite God asking Him to grace their lives early next year.
So this year indulge in the celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi and wish you near and dear ones. Send special Ganesh Chaturthi greetings to your friends as you celebrate this festival. And do take care of the sound levels in you puja mandaps, such that they don’t disrupt the local neighbourhood.
And if possible refrain from polluting the waters of the rivers when immersing the idols as this endangers many aquatic as well as human lives in the long run. Our team wishes you a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
