Ganesh Chaturthi – 22 August 2020
Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated this year on 22nd August, 2020. While the Muhurat as per the best astrologers for Madhyahna Ganesha Puja is – 11:06 to 13:40. While Ganesh Chaturthi or ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’, is celebrated throughout India and in some parts of the abroad as well, but is one of the most awaited festival for Maharashtrians. Well its a 10 day Hindu festival which is celebrated in order to worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Thus, it celebrates the birth day of the Lord Ganesha who is firmly believed to be the God of good beginnings, prosperity, peace, and obstacle remover in Hindu religion. Ganesh Chaturthi begins on the 4th day of the waning moon period that is known as Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and it ends on the 14th day, called Anant Chaturdashi. Moreover, this festival was initiated by the Maratha King, ‘Shivaji’ and gained momentum when ‘Lokmanya Tilak’ made it a grand public event to bring unity among people, during the days of struggle for India’s Independence.
How it is celebrated?
Well the preparations for this festival starts from few months before the festival with the making of the idols of Lord Ganesh. People used to cleaned houses inside out and decorated for bringing Ganesha home. A spot is chosen in the house or in the locality in order to place the idol and a raised platform is decorated there. Pandals that is public stages/platforms are erected by different societies and decorated beautifully. While on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, people took bath in the morning, wear new clothes and then perform the Vinayak Chaturthi Pooja.
Why it is celebrated?
According to ancient scriptures once Goddess Parvati was going for her bath and not she didn’t finding anyone to help her guard the door. So, she made a little boy out of the turmeric paste on her body and breathed him to life in order to guard the door. Then she asked the boy to make sure no one enters the door. Suddenly, Lord Shiva arrived on the scene and demanded entry, Ganesha refused as he did not recognize Lord Shiva as his father. In anger, Shiva cut off the boy’s head.
