“Ganesh Chaturthi” is one of the main festivals in India wherein devotees celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival marks its presence in the whole country but is most lavishly celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Here the celebration lasts for ten days. Even the common people bring Ganesha deity at their homes, worship that for 10 days and after that immerse the idol in water. Check this post to know how you can get Eco-friendly Ganesha this Ganesh Chaturthi.

The name “Ganesha” consists of two words “Gana” and “Isha(Esha).” Gana means a “group” or “crowd,” while Isha (Esha) means “lord.” So “Ganesha” means Lord of Groups. The other prominent names of Lord Ganesha are Ganpati, Ekdanta, Siddivinayaka, Vigneshwaram Vignaharta and much more.

Lord Ganesha is known as the Lord of power and wisdom. He is also called as the destroyer of obstacles and was born on the fourth day of a fortnight in the Hindu Lunar month. And hence, the name Ganesh Chaturthi came into existence.

Here are some interesting facts that you must know about Ganesh Chaturthi:

1)    Initiation of Festival:

Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Emperor in the 17th century in Maharashtra. He initiated the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi to promote Hindu culture. Later, Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak also revived the festival in order to unite people. Since then it’s celebrated with the great pomp and show.

2)    The Story of Morya:

On the occasion of this auspicious day, disciples recite “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purcha Varshi Laukariya.” The devotees wish to the Lord Ganesha to come back early the following year. It’s said that “Morya” was a saint and a great disciple of Lord Ganesha. When Ganesha asked him for a wish, Morya asked him to attach his name to him. And hence the saying came into existence.

3)    Curse to the Moon:

On this day, it’s a tradition to not to look at the moon. The story behind it goes like this. The moon once laughed at Ganapati who was riding his mouse. Ganesha cursed the moon that his light will never fall upon him. When moon repented, Ganesha modified the curse that the moon will forever undergo waxing and waning phases to remain humble. Ganesha also said that if anyone looks at the moon on this day, unjust blame and criticism will fall upon him/her.

4)    Ganesha’s Birth:

It is believed that Ganesha was created from a paste of sandalwood used by Goddess Parvati for bathing. She created a young boy from the paste to guard her while she bathed. Lord Shiva came and wanted to enter the premises, but Ganesha stopped him. In a rage of anger, Lord Shiva cut-off the Ganesha’s head with his Trishul.

When Parvati overwhelmed with grief, Lord Shiva realized what he did. He then asked his Ganas to bring him the head of the very first sleeping animal they see. After some time, the Ganas presented the head of a baby elephant to Lord Shiva. And he replaced that head on Ganesha’s body. It happened on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month.

When Goddess Parvati got worried about people making fun of Elephant headed Ganesha and that nobody will worship him now, Lord Shiva blessed Ganesha with a boon. He declared that no prayer shall be complete without worshipping Ganesha. Every person would first need to worship Ganesha first and only then his prayers would be heard.

5)    Fast and Puja:

In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days. It’s recommended to fast and perform Puja at home on this auspicious day as it’s believed to bring happiness and progress. On the eleventh day of this festival, a statue of Lord Ganesha is paraded throughout the city with dance and music. And then it’s immersed in the water symbolizing HIS journey to Mount Kailasha.

6)    Importance of Dhruva Grass:

There’s a grass called Dhruva which is a must to use in Ganesha Puja at home. It’s believed that when Ganesha swallowed the Demon Analasura during a battle, Dhruva grass was used to appease Ganesha’s stomach.

7)    The Immensity of the Festival:

Ganesha Chaturthi is also celebrated in Nepal, Mauritius, and Cambodia. Hindus present in the UK, and the US also celebrate this festival there. Maharashtra’s Pen district has mastered the art of making Ganesha’s idols along with Mumbai and Pune. There are more than seven lakh idols made each year and exported to the US and the UK. On the Visarjan day, the longest immersions are held at Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja and Andhericha Raja.

8)    Ganesh Chaturthi Aarti:

People light earthen lamps and offer Ganesha Laddos and Modaks and perform his Aarti. The two most prominent versions of Arrti Mantra that you can sing while performing Ganesh Chaturthi Puja are as follows:

Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva
Eka danta dayavanta, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindura sohe, muse ki savari
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh deva
Andhan ko aankh deta, kordhina ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra deta, nirdhana ko maya
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh deva
Paana chadhe, phoola chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhoga lage, santa karen seva
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh deva

Ganesh Chaturthi Aarti

Shendur lal chadhayo achchha gajmukhko, dondil lal biraje sut gauriharko
Hath liye gudladdu sai survarko, mahima kahe na jay lagat hoo padko.
Jai jai shri Ganraj Vidhyasukhdata, dhanya tumara darshan mera man ramata
Ashto siddhi dasi sankatko bairi, Vignavinashan mangal murat adhikari
Koti surajprakash aisi chhabi teri, gandasthala madmastak jhoole shashihari.
Jai jai shri Ganraj Vidhyasukhdata, dhanya tumara darshan mera man ramata
Bhavbhagat se koi sharanagat ave, santat santat sabhi bharpur pave
Aise tum maharaj moko ati bhave, gosavinandan nishidin gun gave.
Jai jai shri Ganraj Vidhyasukhdata, dhanya tumara darshan mera man ramata.

Wish you all a very Happy Ganesha Chaturthi! Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya!