Ganesh Chaturthi: Significance, Tithi and Vidhi
Is there any deity more loved than Lord Ganesha? Probably not! Lord Ganesha has a special place, especially for children as a friend and for adults he is a guiding star. One of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a 10-day festival during which devotees pay respects to one of their most loved Gods, Ganesha or Ganapati or Ganapati Bappa. Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of Ganesha ji’s birth as the son of Maa Parvati and Mahadev.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Dates and Time
Ganesha Chaturthi is observed during Shukla Paksha, on the 4th day of the waxing moon period that falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapad which is August or September, according to the English calendar. The 10-day festival comes to an end on Anant Chaturdashi Day, also known as Ganapati Visarjan Day.
Ganesha Chaturthi on Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat – 10:17 AM to 12:44 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 26 Mins
Ganesha Visarjan on Thursday, September 28, 2023
On the previous day time to avoid Moon sighting – 12:39 PM to 07:32 PM, Sep 18
Duration – 06 Hours 54 Mins
Time to avoid Moon sighting – 08:49 AM to 08:09 PM
Duration – 11 Hours 20 Mins
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins – 12:39 PM on Sep 18, 2023
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends – 01:43 PM on Sep 19, 2023
On Anant Chaturdashi day, devotees take out a massive procession and the idols of Ganesh Bhagwan are immersed in different water bodies.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Like other Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi also has its own significance. Also known as Ganeshotsav, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh ji is the God of wisdom, prosperity, knowledge and good fortune. He is also called Vighnaharta or Vighneshwera, as he is a remover of obstacles. Devotees seek their blessings on the Ganesh Chaturthi day and ask him to remove all the obstacles in their path to achieve success.
Every Hindu festival is about specific rituals, offerings, cleaning, bhog preparation, fasts, celebrations, charity, Puja Vidhis, Aarti, etc. Ganesh Chaturthi also has similar rituals, preparations and Puja vidhis.
Lord Ganesha owns a supreme position among all Hindu Gods and is considered to be one of the friendliest Hindu Gods. He has a charming image that inspires his devotees. He is regarded to be a forgiving and adoring deity. He is Ganpati i.e. Pati (Lord/Leader) of people (Gan).
Benefits of Worshipping on Ganesha Chaturthi
Here are some of the benefits of Ganesh Chaturthi puja.
- Remove obstacles or hurdles on the way to work
- Create a favourable position for future work
- Obtain wisdom, knowledge and accomplishments
- Evolve spiritually
- Evolve materialistically
- Reduce malefic effects of Mercury, if it is there in the horoscope
- Achieve academic goals
- Get rid of debts and attain prosperity
- Get a healthy body and mind.
- Fulfilment of desires
- Experience success
- Reduce malefic effects of the Moon, if any in the horoscope
- Brings harmony and peace to life
How To Perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at Home?
If you are unsure of how to perform all the rituals correctly, you are in the right place.
Before starting
- Make yourself pure. Before beginning the puja, take a bath and put on clean clothing. And cleanliness does not mean cleanliness of the body only but of the mind as well. So, before sitting for puja, make sure to rid your mind of all tamasic thoughts.
- Prepare the resources: A portrait or idol of Lord Ganesha, flowers, incense, fruits, sweets, camphor, lamps, coconuts, red and yellow rice (akshata), puja utensils, and other items are all necessary for doing the puja.
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Rituals
Setting Up a Ganesh Idol
- A clean platform, preferably a wooden bench, should have the image or idol of Lord Ganesha placed on it. Take guidance from a Pandit or Pujari on how to place Ganapati for puja, if you are not sure.
- Put flowers and other accessories on the altar to decorate it. You can be creative here; at most places, people prepare a jhaki for their beloved God.
Ganapati Prayer (Pranam Mantra)
- Chant a prayer to call upon Lord Ganesha as you begin the puja.
- You can sing “Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada,” or any other mantra of your choice.
- Ganesh Atharvashirsha is a Vedic hymn that is best recited or heard in its entirety. Below, more mantras are provided.
- Again, you can seek guidance from a Pandit or Pujari for proper Puja vidhi.
Ganesh Chaturthi Offerings
- In front of the idol, present flowers, incense, and a lit lamp (diya).
- Present red and yellow rice (akshata) as a sign of chastity and good fortune.
- Offer sweets and fruits, particularly modak.
- Some devotees even perform the ten-day fast; some follow the phalahar vrat; and some follow the more rigorous Nirjala vrat, i.e., the waterless fast.
- All family members and participants should get the prasada (blessed sweets) when the puja is over.
After 10 days, the devotees immerse the Lord’s idol in a river or sea. And wait for Bappa to come next year.
Keep in mind that your devotion and sincerity are the most crucial components of the puja.
What Food Pleases Ganapati Bappa Most?
Lord Ganesha appreciates different sweets and fruits in addition to modak. In order to appease Ganesha, you can also bring other traditional sweets and fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, along with modak. Always keep in mind that the purpose and commitment behind the offering matter more than the type of food.
Mantras to Appease the Bappa
- Ganesha Beej Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Simple and frequently said, this mantra invites Lord Ganesha’s blessings and assists in removing impediments.
- Ganesh Gayatri Mantra: Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Dantih Prachodayat
This mantra is a variation of the Ganesha-dedicated Gayatri mantra. It asks for blessings for understanding, learning, and the removal of barriers.
- Ganesh Mool Mantra: Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Glaum Gam Ganapataye Vara Varada Sarva Janam Me Vasha Manaya Swaha
This mantra is a thorough invocation of Lord Ganesha’s powers that requests favours, success, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
- Ganesha Atharvashirsha
This is a Vedic hymn that honours Lord Ganesha’s many attributes and characteristics. This hymn is extremely auspicious to recite or to hear.
- Ganesha Dwadas Nama Strotam
There are twelve different titles for Lord Ganesha, each of which describes a different facet of his holy essence. You can invoke his blessings by reciting these names.
- Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanmavalli
In all activities, this mantra aims to get rid of difficulties and challenges.
If you want to get a better understanding of which mantra you should use to obtain specific blessings, you can consult our astrologers for insights.
What time of day is best for Ganesh Chaturthi puja?
Depending on the precise tithi (lunar day) and location, the puja’s timing may change. However, the Ganesh Chaturthi puja often takes place in the late afternoon or early evening.
To find auspicious tithi and other puja rituals devotees can contact our astrologers.
