Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a popular Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. This festival typically falls in the month of Bhadrapada (August or September) according to the Hindu lunar calendar and is widely celebrated across India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 date
This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 7, marking the beginning of the ten-day-long festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Shubh Muhurat
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Chaturthi tithi of Shukla Paksha. This year, the festival will begin on Saturday, September 7. Whereas, the Ganesh Visarjan will be held on Tuesday, September 17. The Ganesh Chaturthi puja muhurrat will begin from 11:03 am to 1:34 pm.
Key Aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi
Installation of Ganesha Idols
The festival begins with the installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesha in homes, public pandals (temporary stages), and temples. These idols are often decorated beautifully, and various sizes range from small to enormous.
Rituals and Prayers
Devotees perform various rituals such as ‘Pranapratishtha’ (infusing life into the deity), followed by ‘Shodashopachara’ (16 forms of paying tribute). Offerings of sweets, flowers, and durva grass are made to Lord Ganesha. Modak, a sweet dumpling, is considered Ganesha’s favorite and is commonly prepared during this festival.
Cultural Activities
Many cultural events, including music, dance, plays, and art competitions, are organized during the festival, fostering a sense of community and cultural heritage.
Immersion Ceremony (Visarjan)
The festival usually lasts 10 days, culminating in the immersion of Ganesha idols in water bodies, known as ‘Ganesh Visarjan’. This ritual symbolizes the cycle of birth, life, and death. Devotees carry the idols in grand processions, singing and dancing and bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha with a prayer for his return the next year.
Environmental Considerations
Recently, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of immersing idols made from non-biodegradable materials. Many communities now promote eco-friendly practices, such as using clay idols and natural colors.
Historical Significance
Historical Significance
According to Hindu mythology, the origins of Ganesh Chaturthi are linked to the story of Lord Ganesha’s creation. It is believed that Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, created Ganesha from sandalwood paste and gave him life to guard her while she bathed. Unaware of this, Lord Shiva, upon returning home, was denied entry by Ganesha. Enraged, Shiva severed Ganesha’s head, only to realize his mistake when Parvati revealed that Ganesha was their son. To pacify Parvati, Shiva replaced Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant, reviving him as the elephant-headed god.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of joy, devotion, and community, bringing people together to celebrate the divine and seek blessings for the year ahead.