Importance of lord Ganesh
The elephant-head Ganesh is the harbinger of auspiciousness. It is believed that his devotees get prosperity, joy, health and wealth as a return gift of his worshipping. Every puja or work requires citation of his name while beginning as per Hindu religion. It’s common belief that his name dispels ill omens.
Traditionally, it is an age-old custom to celebrate it for 10 days. The fourth day of second fortnight in Bhaadrapada is when Ganesh Chaturthi falls according to Hindu calendar. In 2016, it is on 5th September. And finally, his idol is immersed on the fourteenth day of the Hindu month.
It is also popular as Anant Chaturdashi.
Let’s catch the story of his intelligence.
How Ganesh took birth?
Ganesh is the son of god Shiva and goddess Parvati. As the myth goes, Parvati carved Ganesh and blew life to his idol with her powers. She deployed him at the entrance of the cave where she was taking a bathe. At that time, he had the face of human.
Meanwhile, lord Shiva visited and tried to enter the cave. As an obedient child, he stood as a barrier and denied to let him go inside. The father and the son did not know their relationship. His father, Mahadev, began fighting and beheaded his son. His face was burnt in the fire of Havana.
Watching this massacre, Parvati wept profusely. Sighting her in deep pain, Shiva transplanted an elephant’s face and made him alive once again.
Story of Ganesh’s auspiciousness:
Ganesh is famous for his jaw-dropping intelligence. Once Ganesh and his elder brother Kartikeya has a fight over claiming ‘who is elder’. To settle this issue, lord Narayana arranged a competition. The condition was put to circumambulate Pan Universe. Whosoever would complete it would be the winner.
As the competition began, Kartikeya flew on his peacock to win. But Ganesh did not since he was so bulky and overweight. He surely would have been defeated. But an idea declared him winner. He moved around his parents and jumped claiming, “I won”. When asked ‘how’, he said, “The world lies at the feet of parents. And I did so. So, I am the winner.”
All praised his wisdom and crowned him as a winner.
Let’s know who began worshipping and immersing his idol in India.
Who revived immersing idol of lord Ganesh?
The team of pujadivine.com explored many reputed sites to bring this fact in light.
This deity had been worshipped for centuries. But the procession of Ganesh Chaturthi was paused. Earlier, Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680) followed this tradition in Pune. It was the administration of Peshwas that carried it on. Actually, Ganesh was their ‘Isht deva’ (family god). But as he lost his ruling, the tradition was stopped.
It was revived and re-introduced in trend by freedom fighter ‘Lokmanya Tilak’.
How it is celebrated?
Religious people observe it the most auspicious occasion. They install his idol in their house and pray for 10 days continuously. On tenth day, a grand procession is arranged. His idol is immersed into the water with pomp and show. Devotees dance, and play devotional music.
Since this deity was born at Madhyahan Kaal (middday), thus the correct time of celebration falls at the same time. Devotees observe Shodashopchara Ganesha Puja and perform all rituals like anointing his idol with vermillion, raw rice, flowers, incense, sandalwood and so on.
This is how his idol is taken to water and immerse.