The glory of Vinayak Chaturthi

 

 

Ganesha or “Vighna Harta” as he is known with Hindus across the world, he is the God of new beginnings. He is said to bring about prosperity and wealth by removing all the obstacles along the way!

Vinayak as he is affectionately known is the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Elephant-Headed God affectionately called Ganapathy. This year Vinayak Chaturthi begins on 17th September 2015 and will go on for next nine to ten days. This is the day when everybody brings a mud idol and installs in their homes. Every day, then this idol is decorated with flowers, applied vermilion, turmeric and sandal and families pray the Lord to remove all obstacles from their way.

This is a time when families come together, distribute sweets to relatives, friends and neighbours and everybody sings bhajans, songs and slokas in praise of the Lord.

The famous “Modak” and “Jaggery” is served to everyone. In Tamil Nadu, Modak is called Kozhakattai, which is prepared both with salt and coconut and Jaggery and Coconut respectively.

The Mouse, which is said to be the vehicle of Lord Ganesha is also prayed and given high reverence during this period. While in states such as Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated with amazing pomp, Tamil Nadu celebrates the festival with awesome fervour too.

These ten days actually signify rebirth and renewal. The festival symbolizes the end of old happenings and events and the advent of newness in every relationship and work. This is obviously the best time to forgive others and promise oneself to start anew.

Whether at work or in personal life, this occasion is a time for revival of faith, honesty, integrity and surrender to God.

The sheer chanting of “Om Ganeshaya Namah” or “Jai Ganesh, Shree Ganesh” works like Magic and indeed, this is the reason every temple and every home has an idol of Vinayak mostly at the entrance of the home.

The Ganapathy Homam which is performed by Hindus is also a very powerful ritual and has great positive impact on people’s lives.

Wishing all a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!