Ganesh Chathurthi

Ganesh is the First and Foremost God of India. So, Ganesh Chathurthi is important to all the Hindus and celebrated all over India. Ganesh is a Vigneshwar. This means, He removes Vignam or obstacles in the path of progress. No function in India can be held without doing Pooja to Lord Ganesh first. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar. This festival involves the entire Hindu public. This festival was not celebrated until the times of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was Tilak who used it for uniting the Hindus for a common cause. Ganesh Idols with all kinds of shapes and sizes are made during this festival. Poojas are done for such idols. Generally, Ganesh Idol made of clay is the traditional style. Still, a large number of devotees make Ganesh Idols using some exquisite materials to make huge attractive Idols, some of which are kept in public places. In some villages and towns, public performance is also organized; people sing and dance and eat feasts. So, there is gala atmosphere every where. The festivities end when the Idol is immersed in water: visarjan: accompanied by loud shouts of Ganapati Bappa Moraya! This festival is particularly famous in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In Brahmin houses, Ganapathi Pooja is also performed using Mantras. Lokamanya Tilak propagated the cultural importance of Ganesh Idol and brought in Ganesha Chaturthi as National Festival. It was an important festival during Peshwa rule in Maharashtra, but acquired special significance all over India during the Swaraj movement. It made way for learned discourses, dance dramas, poetry recital, musical concerts bringing together all castes and communities who vied with enthusiasm in organizing this public festival; particularly in the North. There is no Hindu house where you do not have Ganesh Idol, because, He is the Primary Lord of the Hindu system.