Ganesh Charturthi

By Acharaya Pandit S. Jadoonanan Misra

Sri Ganesh is the first amongst the Hindu Deities.

God is worshipped as Ganesh in His first form and name. Among the five Principal Deities, the name of Sri Ganesh comes first, then Vishnu, Shankar (Lord Shiva), Surya and Durga respectively.

On the 4th tithi of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad (August-September), this festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is observed. The most auspicious time or Muhurth for the performance of this celebration is midday, as said by Brihaspati and quoted in Kala-niraya. When Chaturthi tithi is mixed with the third and the fifth tithis,and if at midday there is Chaturthi, the one mixed with the 3rd tithi is to be preferred. If at midday there is no Chaturthi, but on the next day there is Chaturthi at midday mixed with Panchmi or the 5th tithi, then the fifth tithi is preferred.

Method of worship.....

A clay image of Lord Ganesh, beautifully painted, is brought and Prana Pratishta (consecration) is effected and worship is offered to Lord Ganesh also called Vinayak, with 16 Upcharas or steps of worship as follows:

For details see Pooja.

Twenty-one "Modakas" (a type of sweets commonly called Ladoo) are needed in Ganesh Pooja. Five are offered to Lord Ganesh in the Pooja, five are offered to Brahmins (people of the priestly class) and the remaining eleven are given to the Yajman (the active participant in the Pooja or Yajna) to be eaten by himself or his family.

At sunset, without looking at the moon, perform Chandrama pooja (pooja to the moon God) and offer Aarghya. Daan or charitable gifts must be given to the main Pandit as well as any other Pandits or Sadhus (holy men)that are present there. Dakshina should also be offered to the Ganesh Murti. Katha (discourses) should be read and Visarjan (final prayer) of Sri Ganesh Pooja is to be performed.

At the end of the celebration, in a great procession, the image of Lord Ganesh is immersed in a well or a tank, a river or in the sea. It is important to know that this immersion can only be done when the Sun moves from Simha Rasi or the House of Leo into Kanya Rasi or the House of Virgo. This illustrates the importance of Jyotish or Hindu Astrology.

Thereafter, feed the Brahmins, give them Dakshina (monetary gifts) then partake of the Modakas or Prasad.

Authoritative Texts to read.....

The authoritative texts to read when Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja is performed are :

1. Mudgal Purana
2. Ganesh Purana and
3. Ganesh Bhagwat.

Sri Ganesh worship lasts for one day and a half, two days, five days, seven days or ten days which is until the end of Anant Chaturdasi (14th tithi of the bright forthnight of Bhadrapad).

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