Why this festival is celebrated?
This festival is celebrated as it is believed that Lord Ganesha was born on this day. Another reason why this festival is being celebrated is that this day is considered as one that removes all obstacles from your life as we know that another name of Lord Ganesha is ‘Vigana Harta’.
Importance
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10 day long festival, for the celebration of lord Ganesha’s birth. Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. His vehicle is “mooshak” (rat) and his favorite dish is “modak”. Hence people various kinds of modaks on this festival to please their beloved elephant-headed God.
According to historians festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has a mention in Maharashtra by the famous King known as Chatrapati Shivaji who was a great ruler of Maharasthra at that time. The importance of this festival is to promote and improve nationalism and culture in the country and from then this festival became an important event to promote national integrity and brotherhood all over the country.
How it is celebrated?
Celebration of the festive days continues by placing idols of Lord Ganesha in public mandaps as well as in households. People offer prayers in temples and in the final procession they shout “Ganapati Bappa Morya” and take the idol to the banks of the Local River and finally immerse it. This festival is continued for five, eight or eleven days. However, some people continue it for 21 days but starting 10 days are precious for every devotee.
When this festival is celebrated
On the mark of the shukla chaturthi known as Bhaadrapada which lies on the fourth day of the period of waxing moon and focus mainly in the months of August and September.
Where this festival is celebrated
As the starting of this festival is in Maharashtra so on large scale this festival is celebrated in this state. However, this festival is not only limited to India but also in other countries of the world such as UK where large Hindu population resides. In Philadelphia, this festival is popularly known as PGF. This festival is a symbol of prosperity and wisdom for Hindus and celebrated on large scale all over the world with great charm and devotion.