Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and obstacle removal, on Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. The Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August–September) coincides with this celebration on the fourth day, or Chaturthi, of the bright fortnight. Lord Ganesha is one of the most adored and extensively worshipped deities in Hinduism, hence Ganesh Chaturthi has its roots in ancient times.
Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on the 7th of September by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals (temporary stages), followed by prayers, singing, and dancing. Devotees prepare a variety of sweets and offer them to the deity, with modak being the most favored, as it is believed to be Ganesha’s favorite sweet. The festival lasts for ten days, culminating in the Anant Chaturdashi, when the idols are immersed in water, a ritual known as visarjan.
Ganesh Chaturthi represents calling upon heavenly force to clear the way and grant fresh starts. Following a period of worship, devotees bring clay figurines of Ganesha home, carry out intricate ceremonies, and submerge the idols in water. This act of immersion serves as a reminder of the impermanence of existence and the necessity of submitting to the will of God by symbolising the cycle of creation and dissolution. Worshippers of Ganesha ask for his blessings in order to gain insight, clarity, and the removal of both external and internal hindrances on their spiritual path.
As much as Ganesh Chaturthi inspires us to develop virtues that promote inner development and spiritual progress, such as humility, thankfulness, and a strong sense of devotion, I Pushpam Appalanaidu humbly bow down and offer my heartfelt prayers too.
