Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi – A Celebration of Lord Ganesha’s Wisdom and Blessings, India’s beloved festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is a tapestry of stories, traditions, and culinary delights that beckon you to embrace wisdom and blessings. At its core lies the captivating tale of Lord Ganesha’s birth, a testament to doing one’s duty with devotion, without fear.

Who is Lord Ganesha?

Lord Ganesha, with his elephant head and generous belly, is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The story goes that Parvati created Ganesha from clay to stand guard while she bathed. She breathed life into the clay figurine, instructing him to ensure no one entered their home during her absence.

However, the unexpected return of Lord Shiva, who had been away for an extended period, set the stage for a divine encounter. When Lord Shiva attempted to enter his home, the boy, steadfast in his duty, blocked his path. Despite the attempts of various emissaries from Lord Shiva’s entourage to announce his arrival, the boy stood resolute.

As the situation escalated, other deities joined the fray, but the boy displayed unparalleled strength and valor. In a fierce battle, he defeated even the gods themselves. Enraged, Lord Shiva, after a final warning, severed the boy’s head.

Another version of the tale suggests that the gods, having been vanquished in battle by the boy, conspired to ambush and behead him. Upon learning of this, Goddess Parvati assumed her formidable warlike avatar and challenged the gods.

Return to the top

Ganesha: The Remover of Obstacles

In the end, Lord Shiva intervened, calming Goddess Parvati, and promising to restore the child back to life. He dispatched his followers to find and retrieve the head of the first living being they encountered. Fate led them to an elephant’s head, which was then affixed to the boy’s body.

Reborn as Lord Ganesha, he was bestowed with extraordinary powers and elevated in rank by the gods. He became their cherished firstborn, symbolizing wisdom, intelligence, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Significance in the Indian Pantheon

Lord Ganesha’s significance extends beyond borders and beliefs. He symbolizes new beginnings and prosperity, reminding us that humility, duty and devotion can triumph even over the mightiest of challenges.

Popular Festival Dishes

Ganesh Chaturthi wouldn’t be complete without savoring these delightful dishes:

Modak

Sweet dumplings filled with a mixture of rice flour and coconut, Modak is a cherished offering to Lord Ganesha.

Modak an Indian sweet made for the Ganesha Chaturthi festival

Recipe

Ingredients: Rice flour, grated coconut, jaggery (or brown sugar), cardamom.
Recipe: a. Mix rice flour with water to form a smooth dough. b. Prepare a sweet mixture with grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom. c. Shape small portions of the dough into cups, fill them with the sweet mixture, and seal them. d. Steam until they become soft and translucent. Serve warm.

Payasam (Southern India) Or Kheer (Rest of India)

A creamy rice pudding flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts, Payasam or Kheer is a quintessential dessert during Ganesh Chaturthi. (Recipe: Rice, milk, sugar, traditionally Jaggery, cardamom)

Embed from Getty Images

Payasam – South Indian Rice Pudding

Embed from Getty Images

Kheer – North Indian Rice Pudding

Recipe

Ingredients: Rice, milk, sugar, cardamom, nuts (like cashews and raisins).

a. Cook rice in milk until it becomes soft and creamy.
b. Add sugar, cardamom, and nuts. Simmer until it thickens.
c. Garnish with more nuts and serve as a dessert or snack.

Laddoos

Embed from Getty Images

Sweet chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour balls made with sugar and ghee, Laddoos are offered to Lord Ganesha and shared with devotees as prasad (offering to the deity).

Recipe

Ingredients: Chickpea flour, sugar (or Jaggery), ghee (clarified butter).

a. Roast chickpea flour in ghee until it turns golden brown.
b. Add sugar and shape the mixture into small balls.

Puran Poli

Embed from Getty Images

A sweet flatbread with a filling of Jaggery, lentils, and coconut, Puran Poli is relished as breakfast or a snack.

Recipe

Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, Jaggery, lentils (chana dal), coconut.

a. Prepare a sweet filling by cooking lentils, Jaggery, and coconut.
b. Make dough with whole wheat flour.
c. Roll out small portions of dough, add the sweet filling, and fold and roll them flat.
d. Cook on a griddle until both sides are golden brown.

Traditional Celebration

Ganesh Chaturthi’s traditions vary across regions, but some common steps unite all celebrations:

Idol Installation

Embed from Getty Images

On the first day, clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes and businesses, adorned with flowers and lights.

Aarti

Embed from Getty Images

This Hindu ritual involves waving a flame before the deity while chanting prayers, performed multiple times daily.

Prasad

Embed from Getty Images

Food offered to the deity, known as Prasad, is shared with devotees after the Aarti ceremony.

Visarjan

Embed from Getty Images

On the festival’s tenth day, the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in a river or sea during the Visarjan ceremony.

What other names is he known by?

Lord Ganesha is known by many different names in India, reflecting his widespread popularity and diverse worship. Here are some of the most common names for Lord Ganesha, along with the regions where they are popular:

Ganesha: This is the most common name for Lord Ganesha and is used throughout India.
Vinayaka: This name is popular in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu (which may have some regional variations).
Ganapati: This name is popular in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Ekadanta: This name means “single-tusked” and is popular in North India.
Vighnaraja: This name means “lord of obstacles” and is popular throughout India.
Lambodara: This name means “pot-bellied” and is popular in Maharashtra and Goa.
Sumukha: This name means “auspicious-faced” and is popular in North India.
Ganadhyaksha: This name means “leader of the ganas” and is popular in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Siddhivinayaka: This name means “bestower of success” and is popular in Maharashtra.
Heramba: This name is popular in South India.
Pillaiyar: This name is popular in Tamil Nadu.

These are just a few, but more names are used as well.

Did you know?

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Embed from Getty Images

During this festival, as most ritualistic prayers do, concludes with the recitation of “Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi,” a mantra that resonates with peace. It’s a universal prayer for harmony & serenity, extending goodwill and peace for all beings across the universe.

Lord Ganesha Around the World

Lord Ganesha, the beloved deity, transcends geographical boundaries and is venerated in several countries outside India. Each of these countries has its unique way of referring to and honoring this revered figure.

Nepal – Ganesh (or Ganesh Bhagwan)

Nepal, India’s neighboring country, holds Lord Ganesha in high regard. Known as “Ganesh” or “Ganesh Bhagwan” in Nepali, he is celebrated with enthusiasm. The festival of “Gai Jatra” often features processions where Lord Ganesha plays a prominent role. His image is also carved into temple structures, alongside other Hindu deities.

Embed from Getty Images

Indonesia – Ganesha and Wisnu

Embed from Getty Images

Indonesia, with its rich Hindu heritage, acknowledges Lord Ganesha as “Ganesha” or “Ganesha Wisnu”. He is often portrayed alongside Lord Vishnu in ancient Javanese art. Bali, a province in Indonesia, features numerous Ganesha statues, emphasizing his role as a deity of knowledge and wisdom.

Thailand – Phra Phikanet

Embed from Getty Images

In Thailand, particularly in the southern region, Lord Ganesha is revered as “Phra Phikanet”. Thai Buddhists and Hindus revere him as a symbol of wisdom and obstacle removal. His presence is felt in various temples and shrines across the country.

Cambodia – Prah Kenes

Embed from Getty Images

Cambodia also has its version of Lord Ganesha, known as “Prah Kenes”. Although Hinduism has a less prominent presence in modern Cambodia, Prah Kenes is still revered by those who follow the religion. His image can be found in ancient temple complexes like Angkor Wat.

Vietnam

Embed from Getty Images

In Vietnam, Lord Ganesha is known as “Vighnesvara” as he is in India (one of his many names). His presence can be found in some temples, especially in the southern Mekong Delta region, where he is respected as a deity who removes obstacles and brings prosperity.

Lord Ganesha’s Global Appeal

In the other parts of the world with Indian diaspora communities, Lord Ganesha’s popularity continues to grow. He is embraced not only by Hindus but also by individuals seeking his blessings for new beginnings, wisdom, and success.

How Lord Ganesha Came to Other Countries

The worship of Lord Ganesha in other countries is due to the spread of Hinduism to these countries through trade, migration, and cultural exchange. For example, Hinduism was introduced to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh in ancient times through trade and migration. Hinduism was also introduced to Southeast Asia, including Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, in the early centuries CE through trade and cultural exchange.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a large ( basically indentured servants trafficked by the British) ‘migration’ of Hindus from India to other countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, Fiji and normal migration to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. These migrants brought their religious beliefs and practices with them, including the worship of Lord Ganesha.

Table of Contents