Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Also referred to as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturthi is a widely celebrated Hindu festival observed with great enthusiasm throughout India. This 10-day festival holds significance as it celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity symbolising wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. However, there are certain rituals that every devotee must follow.
This year, the 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival is scheduled to commence on September 19 and will go until September 28. According to the Hindu calendar, Vinayak Chaturthi will commence on Monday, September 18, at 12:39 p.m. and conclude at 8:43 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19. Devotees engage in various rituals and customs as they pay homage to Lord Ganesha during this auspicious festival.
Four rituals to must follow during Ganesh Chaturthi
1. Shodashopachara
This involves a 16-step worship process where offerings are made to the deity. Devotees begin by washing Lord Ganesha’s feet and then perform a ceremonial bath using milk, ghee, honey, curd, and sugar. Following this, fresh flowers, akshata (rice grains), sindoor (vermilion), and Chandan (sandalwood paste) are offered to the idol, and a tilak made of sandalwood paste is applied to Lord Ganpati’s forehead.
2. Avahana
This ritual is conducted to purify the idol of Lord Ganesha. Devotees engage in ‘Deep-Prajwalan’ (lighting lamps) and ‘Sankalpa’ (a solemn vow) before reciting sacred mantras. Subsequently, the idol is kept in the pandal, temple, or home for worship.
3. Uttarpuja
This ritual is observed during the ‘visarjan’ ceremony, which is a farewell ritual conducted on the 10th day of the festival.
4. Ganpati Visarjan
This final ritual involves immersing the Ganesha idol in water. As they bid farewell to the lord, people chant, “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya,” which means “Hail Lord Ganpati, come quickly next year.”
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