Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is worshiped before the beginning of any auspicious work by all Hindus.His blessing is absolutely necessary for the success of any work..So he is known as Vighneshwar, one who removes all obstacles.
According to the mythology, he is the son of Shiva and Parvati. There are numerous stories in Hindu mythology, associated with the birth of this elephant-headed god, whose vehicle is the Mooshik or rat.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India.
In other states of India, especially in Maharashtra, it is a 10 day festival. The clay model of Ganesha is made and decorated prior to the festival. On the day of the festival, it is placed on specially made ‘peedam’ in homes or in elaborately decorated common places for people to worship. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'. After this the 'shhodashopachara' (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 'modakas' (rice flour preparation), 21 'durva' (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent or sandal paste (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.
There is a lot of devotion and faith in this celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Vinayaka Chaturthi in Kerala.
This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The Hindus of Kerala somehow don’t have an elaborate celebration of 10 days, though the Chaturthi day is celebrated. Ganesh is worshipped and the temples in Kerala have special poojas and Homas conducted on this auspicious day. Some make Modakam as an offering to Ganapathy on this day. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. All temples especially Ganapathy temples celebrate this festival.Vinayaka Chaturthi which falls on the 4th day of the new moon in the month of Chingam (August-September).On that day rituals like Gaja Pooja,Aanayoottu and Ashtadravya Mahaganapathi Homam are performed in the temples.
People don’t look at the moon on this day. It is believed that if we see the moon, on Chaturthi, bad luck and bad reputation will be the result.
This year, in 2011, Vinayaka Chaturthi is on September 1st.
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