The upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi carnival will be observed on Friday, 31th August of 2022 (Gregorian calendar) year.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important religious festivals of Hinduism. Every year from all over the world Hindu followers celebrates this day with great aspirations. You may have some light ideas about this holy festival. Throughout this article, we will be learning about the significance, importance, and history of the Ganesh Chaturthi carnival. I hope your all light ideas will be clear and bright on this very topic.
Mainly this is a traditional and religious carnival of the Indian subcontinent. Especially in some regions of India, this festival is celebrated for more than thousands of years. Ganesh Chaturthi has been well known as the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival.
What are the Spiritual Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi in Hinduism?
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, embodying wisdom and prosperity. While distinct from Buddha’s birthday spiritual journey, the festival ignites inner transformation, reflecting on life’s obstacles as chances for growth. Devotees immerse in rituals, seeking blessings akin to enlightenment milestones on Buddha’s path.
What are the Similarities and Differences Between Ganesh Chaturthi and Maha Shivratri Festivals in Hinduism?
Ganesh Chaturthi and Maha Shivratri celebration in Hinduism are both important festivals. While Ganesh Chaturthi honors the elephant-headed deity, Lord Ganesha, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Both celebrations involve prayers, rituals, and offerings, but the significance and customs associated with each festival differ.
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
You may be wondering what Ganesh Chaturthi is! Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honor the arrival of Lord Ganesh on the Earth. Ganesh is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to some Hindu scriptures on this very day, Ganesh has from the mountain Kailash with his mother.
People believe that Lord Ganesh is the symbol of new begging and the removal of all the obstacles. Lord Ganesh also has some other special significance too. Such as he is considered the God of wisdom and intelligence. So, the celebration of Lord Ganesh’s arrival is very essential for all Hindu followers.
Lord Ganesh is generally mentioned as Ganapati in the holy scripture Rigveda. The word Ganapati is mostly interpreted as the guardian of the multitudes. So, it’s clear that Lord Ganesh has been given a very special acknowledgment in Hinduism. And celebrating the arrival is very much binding for the followers of Lord Ganesh.
History and Backgrounds of Ganesh Chaturthi festival
This is a very ancient religious festival of Hinduism. Many holy scriptures of Hinduism has mentioned the arrival of Ganapati on several occasion. In Rigveda, the term Ganapati was mentioned several times. This holy scripture is considered to be the oldest among all the scripture of Hinduism.
In some subsequent-Vedic texts also acknowledged the arrival of Lord Ganesh. In the holy texts of Grhya Sutras, Lord Ganesh has been mentioned as the god of success. The Skanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and the Narada Purana the acknowledgment of Lord Ganesh’s arrival and his later successes have been briefly discussed in many chapters. According to the religious texts, Lord Ganesh is the guardian of the mountain.
From very ancient times people celebrate the arrival of Lord Ganesh. You can rather say it is the oldest custom of Hinduism. In many regions of the Indian subcontinent, this festival has been practiced for at least of thousand years.
But during the times of the 18th century, Ganesh Chaturthi has been performing in a public forum. More and more people are celebrating the festival.
Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi Carnival
People offer special prayers on this occasion. Many followers fasts during this festival. It’s ten days longer Holy custom. It’s believed that during the day of Visorjan Lord Ganesh’s returning day. The last day is the festival is known as the day of Virojan. On this day people share their food and meals with their friends and families.
People start Preparation before the month of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. Temples are decorated with extraordinary designs. Local makes pandals for various types of cultural programs. Politicians donate huge amounts of money to come closer to mass people through the organization of this festival.
The traditional dance competitions, Political activities, play relating to Lord Ganesh’s story and Intellectual discourse take place at this festival. All the Pandal are hosted by many religious and political communities donation.
Making the monument of Lord Ganesh is essential for this puja. The Padya puja is a very essential part ritual of this fest. Worshiping the feet of Lord Ganesha is known as Padya puja. People make a huge monument of Lord Ganesh with clay to tribute the puja and ritual. In some areas of India, huge rallies take place. People gather together in the morning time and the rally starts with the clay-made monument of Lord Ganesh. Followers wear colorful dresses during the rally. And many spectacular seen are displayed. People offer sweets on this puja. All the temple gets busy during this time of the month. All the mandapas and streets get decorated with colorful lighting.
In recent times the Visharjan ceremony of Lord Ganesh’s monument on the river water has been questioned by many environmental organizations. It’s very dangerous from the environmental aspect. However, followers continue to perform their religious customs in this challenging time. You may need to know that the schedule has been fixed by the presence of Chaturthi tithi.
The religious significance of Ganesh Chaturthi Carnival
For several reasons, the Ganesh Chaturthi carnival has important value to Hinduism. Lord Ganesh is the highest intelligent Goddess. He is the son of Goddess Shiva and Parvati. So, paying huge respect to the arrival of Lord Ganapati is a mandatory duty of the followers. According to religious scripture, he is the supreme God of wisdom. If the followers can satisfy the god of wisdom, then they will get a share of some ritual power of wisdom. Followers will be very grateful.
Lord Ganesha possessed the supreme power of wisdom and spectacular intelligence. Removing all the obstacles to the devotee’s life is possible by observing this holy festival. He is the beginning of new things. So, the Hindu believers must observe this festival with great aspirations and huge anticipation of new beginnings. Only the satisfaction of Lord Ganesha will remove all the obstacles of followers’ life.
Celebration in many regions
It’s a well-practiced custom of Hinduism. For at least of thousand-years Ganesh Chaturthi festival is taking place in many regions of India and outside of India. Many Hindu communities organize this carnival in outside India. In countries like Malaysia, Canada, Australia, Suriname, South Africa, the United States, and Europe celebration of this festival can be seen.
On the other hand, not all the states of India perform this holy festival. Specially In Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Goa, Maharashtra this carnival is celebrated with huge value and great aspirations.
Nepal is the country outside of India performing this carnival with great importance. As Nepal is a Hindu state, a government holiday is also declared on the day of Visharjan. All the street gets lightened and temples get busier at this time of the year.
Important learnings of Ganesh Chaturthi
Each time this festival comes with a very inspiring message about Lord Ganesh’s life. In the ordinary eye, you can not find the valuable messages of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Here are some top messages from the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
- Our life is full of obstacles and problems. Our future is very uncertain. We never know the upcoming difficulties in our life. But if things like Lord Ganesh apply to our intelligence such problems can be reduced.
- Always needs to move forward. We must be hopeful of our new beginnings. Because a new coming or beginning can open a new window of hope for us.
- Wisdom comes with great ability and acceptance.
- Face value is nothing compared to truthfulness and honesty.
- Lord Ganesha possesses all the good spirits for the betterment of his followers. If followers are very loyal and truthful, Lord Ganesha will provide unparalleled happiness for all.
- Always be careful about others. If your sacrifice for others, you will get an unexpected reward from the God of wisdom.
- Religion provides all the basic guidelines of life. Provides all the solutions in rough conditions of life.
- All humans must establish a good relationship of brotherhood. Only unity can bring happiness to society.
- A good spirit will always get the upper hand if you compare it to a bad spirit.
If we can apply all the basic lessons of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, our life will be much easier. Problems will disappear by the use of intelligence and wisdom.
Negative impacts on the environment
Yes, this festival has some bad impacts on the environment. Mainly the Visharjan ceremony is liable for these problems. Throwing the clay made the monument of Lord Ganesha brings damaging problems to the ecosystem of river water. This question has been raised by all the environmental organizations and communities.
The government has taken some necessary steps to stop this occurrence. Nowadays throwing down the monument in the river water is fully prohibited. But it’s a huge matter of concern that followers don’t follow the rule of the government. They are celebrating this festival in all the formal ways.
So, we must find out a better solution to these unexpected problems. We must protect our environment as well as perform all the orders and duties of the religion.
You can also learn about the following religious festivals:
Navaratri – A Nine-day awe-inspiring festival dedicated to Goddess Durga