Hello Indian DP Members, As Ganesh Chaturthi festival is started in India,I want to wish all Indian DP Members-Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Cheers, Card
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular and auspicious Hindu festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom and remover of obstacles. This festival is also known as Ganesh Utsav which means festival of Ganesh. Lord Ganesha is also referred to as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vighneshawar and Pillaiyar. This auspicious day falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). This festival is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. This festival is widely celebrated in Maharashtra,West Bengal,Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andra Pradesh. This year this festival date falls on Saturday, the 1st of September, 2011. In 2010, Eid and Vinayaka Chaturthi was on the same day but this year it has fallen one day after Eid. This festival lasts for 10 days starting with devotees bring home a Ganesha Idol and offer him prayers daily and ending on Anant Chaturdashi day. One can also see huge Ganesh Statues in every locality pandhals during the period which attracts huge crowds to see and worship this Elephant God. One of the best Ganesh Mandals in Maharashtra is the Lalbaughcha Raja in Mumbai which is one of the most popular among pandhal hoppers. However, these days more and more people are turning to eco friendly Ganesh Idols instead of Plaster of Paris to protect the environment. This Ganesha idols are kept for 10 days from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi and worshipped with rituals and mantras and then taken on the 11th day in a procession where devotees sing and dance before immersing Lord Ganesh idol to the water symbolizing the removal of all obstacles and misfortunes of his devotees and retuning to Mount Kailash to his parents. This ritual of immersing Lord Ganesh Statue is known as Ganesh Visarjan.
Thanks for that,it sounds wonderful.I will visit India again sometime in the future.I would enjoy seeing a festival like this.
Hi Card, I wish you the same, and I am new here and i do not find the thanks button, so thanks for the wishes and you seems to have real good knowledge about Ganesh Chaturthi That is really good to know.