GANESH Chaturthi, or Ganesh Ustav, is a 10-day Hindu observance.
Here are 10 things to know about the festival, which is being observed from September 19 to 28, 2023.
1. The festival, which is also referred to as Vinayaka Chaturthi, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom, knowledge, prosperity and happiness.
2. Lord Ganesha’s was born on Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.
3. Lord Ganesha’s clay idols are installed at home and in places of worship.
4. Devotees fast during the festival. Some fast on the first and last days, while others fast throughout the 10-day period.
5. Ganesh Chaturthi holds tremendous spiritual and cultural significance to Hindus.
6. Lord Ganesha clears obstacles and paves the way for devotees to move forward in life. Many worshippers seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings before starting work, examination, a new job, or getting married.
7. The large elephant head of Lord Ganesha symbolises wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that is required to attain perfection in life.
8. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much fervour in India, especially in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka.
9. The festival ends with Ganesh Visarjan, during which devotees immerse Lord Ganesha’s idols in water, wishing for his return the next year.
10. There are large processions during Ganesh Visarjan, with devotees chanting “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya,” referring to Ganesh as the Lord of all and father who is worshipped by Morya Gosavi.
