Ganesh Chaturthi — The celebration of wisdom, fortune and prosperity.
Ganesh Chaturthi is among the most widely celebrated festivals in India. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is not limited only to the Hindus but is a festival among people across varied religions. This festival is yet another display of unity in diversity among Indians.
According to Hindu Puranas, Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration marking the birth of Lord Ganesh or Vinayaka (a common name of Lord Ganesh in the southern parts of India). Stories from Hindu Puranas believe in Goddess Parvathi who creates a baby Ganesha with her sandalwood paste in order to guard her while she was taking a bath strictly ordering him not to allow anyone in. This is when Lord Shiva (one of the supreme 3 gods according to Hindu epics) who is also Goddess Parvathi’s husband wants to pass through. Ganesha who was the stand guard at the entrance refuses to permit Lord Shiva to enter the bath.
Lord Shiva also is known as the God of Destruction is deeply angered by a young boy stopping him and severs the head of Ganesha out of spite. This fateful incident reaches the ears of Goddess Parvathi who comes in the rescue of little Ganesha. Deeply disturbed by this outrage, Goddess Parvathi explains to Lord Shiva about the whole incident of Ganesha being the guard. Overwhelmed by his hasty decision Lord Shiva orders his subject to search for a first living creature that they see and to bring its head to him.
During the search, Lord Shiva’s subjects find a baby elephant’s head and bring it back to Lord Shiva who promises to bring Ganesha back to life. This is the story of Lord Ganesha getting his head replaced with an elephant’s head giving him the face of an elephant and a body of a human. This is also why Lord Ganesha is popularly called as Gajapathi which means the Lord of the Elephants.
Every Year, the festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi starts earlier than the actual day of the festival. Colourfully designed and decorated large statues of Lord Ganesha are specifically made from scratch and are placed in a special place or pandal and worshiped for 10 days before the actual day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Sweet offerings and special Modaks are made which is believed to be the favourite snack of Ganesha and is kept as an offering before the idols.
On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol of Lord Ganesha which is worshiped for 10 days is taken to the nearby water bodies and submerged. By submerging the statue of Ganesha people believe that all their sorrows and misfortunes are taken away to the deep sea by Lord Ganesha. Over the years Ganesh statues have evolved keeping in mind the toxic waste that is being dissolved into the water bodies.
Innovative styles of statues focusing on the environment are made to be more eco-friendly for a mass celebration like this. Post immersion of the Ganesh statues special bhajans or music festivals are held to mark the birth of Ganesha the favourite of gods among many believers.
Also, Lord Ganesh is commonly worshipped as the God of fortune, good luck, prosperity and wisdom. It is believed that Ganesh Chaturthi will bring prosperity and good fortune to its worshippers. People tend to buy new things and start new ventures praying to Lord Ganesha for the best in everything. CredR takes this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and a prosperous future ahead. We’d also like to inform you that buying a used bike or scooter at CredR will not only invite good fortune but also you can avail some exciting deals. Let us also pray to Vighnaharta to dissolve all misfortunes praying to only good things ahead.
