The Significance and Rituals of Ganeshotsav

Ganesh Chaturthi is the 10-day festival marking the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.

At the start of the festival, idols of Ganesha are placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. The worship begins with the pranapratishtha, a ritual to invoke life in the idols, followed by shhodashopachara, or the 16 ways of paying tribute. Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts like the Ganesh Upanishad, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), considered to be Ganesha’s favourite food.

At the conclusion of the festival, the idols are carried to local rivers in huge processions accompanied by drumbeats, devotional singing, and dancing. There they are immersed, a ritual symbolizing Ganesha’s homeward journey to Mount Kailas- the abode of his parents, Shiva and Parvati.

Lord Ganesha is Sarva Pratham Pujaniya meaning, the one who is worshipped before any other deity. He is the first recipient of a marriage invite or any other auspicious occasion. Devotees hail him as Vighnaharta (meaning the one who removes obstacles) and Sukhkarta (meaning the giver of joy).

The Story

Mata Parvati appreciated Shiva's bull, Nandi as he was so devoted to the service of his master. She knew that Nandi would do anything that Shiva asks for and wanted someone who would be devoted to her. One day, she made an idol of a little boy with her own skin and infused life into him with her divine powers. And from the sculpture, emerged a young boy, who went on to address her as his mother.

Mata Parvati was delighted to have a son, and she knew he would always be devoted to serving her. Subsequently, as she decided to take a bath, she asked the little boy to guard the door and not let anyone enter the house until she gave her consent. The little boy agreed and stood right in front of the door and started guarding it. A while later, the little boy saw someone coming, and it was none other than Lord Shiva. However, he only knew his mother and no one else. Therefore, when Lord Shiva was about to step inside the house, the little boy guarded the door and stopped him from entering. Lord Shiva wondered who the little boy is and why he isn't allowing him to visit his own abode.

Lord Shiva made several attempts to tell the little boy that he is Parvati's husband, and hence he must let him in. But the little boy refused to listen to him. Subsequently, the two got into an argument which flared into a massive fight. And in a fit of rage, Lord Shiva, who had not known that the little boy is his son, beheaded him with his trident (Trishul). However, Parvati turned furious after learning about the death of her son. She was so enraged by what had transpired that the other Gods and Goddesses appealed to Lord Shiva to calm her. Eventually, Lord Shiva asked his Ganas (followers) to find the head of the creature that they would sight first. As the Ganas began their mission, they came across an elephant that volunteered to give its head.

Subsequently, the head of the elephant was fixed to the body of the little boy. Lord Shiva gave a new lease of life to him and pacified Mata Parvati. Thus, Lord Ganesha came into being. And to please her, he also granted a boon that Ganesha would always be worshipped first.

Spiritual meaning of Lord Ganesha's birth

The little boy that Mata Parvati created from her skin represents moh (attachment), or a sense of belonging. Lord Shiva is the Adi Yogi or the one who is detached (Vairagi). To attain the ultimate truth and peace, one must eliminate the source of sorrows and agonies. The head generates countless thoughts which in turn creates a sense of attachment. Therefore the 'beheading' represents the elimination of the source of all troubles. And the use of the Trishul is also symbolic. The trident has three pointed edges. It represents a variety of things. Here, it refers to the three inherent Gunas (traits or qualities) - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Therefore, the one who has the three Gunas in a healthy proportion succeeds in overcoming moh/sorrow.

Subsequently, an elephant's head is attached, which represents mindfulness and intellect. For the unversed, elephants have a highly developed brain and memory power. Hence the significance.

Mindfulness is equal to wisdom. Thus, the little boy who symbolised attachment attains enlightenment after donning a new head. And his intelligence makes him supreme.

Why do we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?

The little boy whom Mata Parvati had created, got a new lease of life from Lord Shiva on the Chaturthi Tithi, Shukla Paksha, Bhadrapada. Hence devotees celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi to observe the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.

The Rituals:

On this auspicious day, devotees take a ritual bath, wear new clothes and get ready to perform the Vinayaka Chaturthi puja. Then, the beautiful clay idol of Lord Ganesha is brought to the house and pandal with the face of the idol covered with a saffron cloth.

After this, the idol is placed properly on the makhar in the houses and pandals. The idol is then beautified with fresh flower garlands and sandalwood paste.

Before invoking Lord Ganesha, a Kalash i.e. the earthen or brass pot filled with holy water is established with the rice kept down the Kalash. This is called as Purna Kumbha Kalasha Sthapana. After this ritual, the holy ritual called Pranapratishtha is done to invoke life into the idol of Lord Ganesha with the chanting of the consecrated mantras. This ritual is followed by another known as Shhodashopachara i.e. 16 ways of worship.

Pooja of Lord Ganesha on Vinayaka Chaturthi: Hindu Rituals involve the Pancha/Five Upacharas/offerings. They are namely;

1. Gandham (Fragrance) in the form of white or red Sandalwood paste,
2. Dhupam (Lighting of Incense Sticks),
3. Deepam (Lighting of Oilor ghee Lamps)
4. Naivedyam (Sanctified Offerings of fruits, sweetmeats, etc.), Modak and Motichoor Ladoos
5. Pushpam (Pushpa-Flowers). The Hibiscus or the Shoe flower is a favourite of the Lord. Dhurva Grass malas are also quite popular.

Important Customs and Rituals

Topikaranam for Ganesha:

One important ritual of praying to Ganesha is the ‘Topikarna’ or the ‘Topikarnam or Toppukranam’, wherein the devotee cross holds the lobes of his ears in front of the Lord, half sits for 3 times (like the Bharatnatyam dancer) and then tugs at his ears by holding the tip of both the ears with his thumb and forefinger of his hands in a scissor-like fashion and repeat the action of squatting and standing. Ganesha is believed to grant boons to anyone who does this.

‘Topikaranam’ means ‘Thwabhyam Karna’ in Sanskrit” – I listen to your Command, Oh Lord Ganesha’. One must then prostate completely with chest touching ground and legs outstretched.

This means that the tugging of the lobes is the asking for forgiveness from the Lord for misgivings and ill-deeds done knowingly or unknowingly. Generally, the men and male kids of South India practice the toppukarna.

Before beginning any pooja, these materials should be kept handy. Take a bath, cleanse yourself and then stand with folded hands in front of the deity and offer all the above. Wet whole coconut (peeled off the exterior husk) but with a small stalk of husk on the top symbolizes the purest offering to the Lord.

Breaking of this coconut or the act of “Chadur Thenga” means that we smash our egos in front of the Lord and submit our soft white inner self at his feet.

Shubha Drishti Ganpati is an all-powerful glorious divine form brought into being with the unique, powerful blessings of Sage Agastya, the foremost among the eighteen Siddhars.

Essential items for the puja:

Modak: The Lord Ganapathy has a special liking for the sweet dumplings - Modak/Kozhukattai and Laddoo. Ganesha’s mother Parvati made a tasty modak for her son, hence he is especially fond of them. Read here how to make home-made modaks.

Durva: (Three-blade grass, Trefoil) is also offered to Ganesh. There are many interesting facts relating to why Durva is offered. Once Ganesha destroyed a demon called ‘Analan’, by swallowing him. The demon went inside and burnt the 14 worlds situated inside Ganesha, thus causing enormous heat.

Ganesha searched for Doorva Grass and wore it as a garland to nullify the heat inside. Doorva is a substance known to create heat and by the principles of two negatives make things positive, the heat was quenched. Doorva/Dhurva Grass is therefore used as a supreme offering in Ganesha Puja. Make a dhurva garland by combining several dhurvas together and tying them in a mala/garland for the Lord.

Shoe flower/Hibiscus: First of all, the red colour of the flower is considered to be the favourite of the Lord and then the 5 petals of the Hibiscus denote the warding off negative energy and the welcome of the positive energy into the Universe. On a more practical level, it is the seasonal flower of the Bhadrapad month of the monsoons, hence our ancients have advocated this flower. Especially the colour red is highly auspicious.

Rules to pluck flowers and offer to the Lord:

• Always pluck flowers only after your bath.
• Do not pick flowers fallen on the ground (except Parijat).
• Don’t offer Nirmalya (re-used flowers), flowers that have already been offered by others.
• Do not throw/fling flowers on the idol. Offer them with both your open palms at his feet.

Angaaraka Ganesh Chathurthi

The fourth thithi of each moon phase is known as Chathurthi. Chathur = four. 24 to 25 Chathurthis occur each year. When the Chathurthi thithi occurs on a Tuesday, it’s known asAngaaraka Chathurthi in recognition of Sri Angaaraka, the Vaara (weekly- Mars-Chevvaai-Mangal) devata for Tuesday who performed special pooja for Lord Ganesh.

Despite all the imbalances going on in the world, this Ganesh Chaturthi, Vignahartha Ganesh will be welcomed with all enthusiasm and utmost positive energy!

“May Vinayak remove all the obstacles and guide you to success throughout your life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!”

“If we can learn anything from Lord Ganesh, it is; Be sincere and care no one in the line of duty. Wish you a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi!”

“May Lord Ganesh shower plenteous good fortunes on you, may he generally present you with his blessings. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!”