The month of August is here. Small workshops and pandals have already begun prepping up for the grand welcome of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesh - a harbinger of new beginnings and remover of all evils. An 11-day-long festival, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India, as well as all Indian diasporas across the globe.
The history behind Ganeshotsav
The first historical records of Ganesh Chaturthi are from the 1600s in Pune, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire, celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi because they considered Lord Ganesha to be their Kuladevata (family deity). After the celebrations during the rule of Shivaji Maharaj, it lost its importance until it was promoted again by Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
It was his contribution that turned Ganesh Chaturthi into one of the yearly household festivals across the nation. It was also a way of social gathering, bridging the gap between Brahmins & non-Brahmins and a way to circumvent the colonial British Government’s ban on public get together.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
The Ganesh Chaturthi holiday is celebrated on the first day of Shukla Paksha or typically in late August or early September, depending on the moon's calendar. Devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes and offices and celebrate his stay for roughly 11 days.
On Ganesh Chaturthi, we perform Ganapati Sthapana and Ganapati Puja in the Madhyamana portion of the day, which is the best time to offer Ganesh puja. According to the astrology of the Vedas, Lord Ganesha was born in Madhyamana Kaal. During his stay, aartis and hymns are performed in pandals and homes, creating a collective vivacity among people.
People make clay idols of Ganesha and paint them with bright colors. Months ahead of Ganesh Festival, artisans across the country, particularly in Mumbai, take up the noble task of making idols of Lord Ganesha using innovative techniques like clay, plaster of Paris, natural fibers, and even recycled paper. Months ahead of the festival, artisans begin to make clay figures of Lord Ganesh and showcase them on the market promptly.
How is Ganeshotsav celebrated?
As you already know, the preparation for Ganesh Utsav starts weeks before the event. You start by cleaning up your house and setting up a space for the idol. If you don't have the space or time to take care of the big Ganesh, buy a small clay Ganesh for Ganesh Chaturthi. These are available in all colors and sizes and are easy to maintain.
To decorate the idol, you can use flowers, clothes, jewellery, and makeup. Flowers make it look more beautiful. You can also decorate it with clothes or jewellery or even put on some makeup if you have some spare time on your hands. It will add more color to the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration and make it look interesting!
An eco-friendly Ganesh Idol
For a festival celebrated with enthusiasm and joy, people prefer to buy an eco-friendly Ganesh idol. It's not just about the impact you'll have on the environment but also how much more fun it will be to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi!
You can find alternatives to plastic or thermocol for decorating your idol using leaves, flowers, recycled papers, etc. For the Ganesh idol, opt for clay ones, DIYs (do it yourself) Ganesh idols, tree-leaves Ganesh, and so on. These are available at local craft stores in India; however, some online retailers sell them too.
Celebrate Ganesh Utsav with EK
Incense is an essential part of any Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. Generally, incense sticks, dhoop, etc., are fragrant offerings to Lord Ganesh. The fumes from the incense or the dhoop carry our prayers to heaven. Not only does incense endow us with light and a pleasant smell, but it also helps to drive away the negativity around us. It purifies the air as well as creates a peaceful and soothing environment for all guests who are present at this time.
EK has a variety of incense sticks infused with 100% organic ingredients. Shop at EK for natural, eco-friendly dhoops, dhoop cones, sambrani cups, and handcrafted incense holders.
It’s the festival of Lord Ganesh, so you want positive energy coming in along with him. So throw away the old linens, rag clothes, and other old stuff and start redecorating the house. You can decorate your home with flowers, lights, and rangoli. A way to do this is by placing fresh flower petals on a cloth or paper plate. If you have any new bedsheets or linen in your home, then use these as well to make an attractive arrangement for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
On the first day of Ganesha Chaturthi, you should offer foods rich in iron to your deity. It will also be great to buy some copper serve ware and aarti plates for serving sweets during this special occasion.
From killing bacteria to improving digestion, copper has a multitude of benefits infused in it. EK has a stunning range of brass diyas, bowls, copperware, glasses, etc. Adorn your house with lights. String lights are another decorative option you can use during Ganesh Chaturthi to brighten your home. The best part about string lights is they will not cost much money because most of them are inexpensive.
You can also find many DIY tutorials online which show how easy it is to create beautiful lighting arrangements using only a few materials from around your house.
EK also has a wide range of ethnic wear online, from hand-block printed Kurtis to vibrant Dupattas and cotton pants. This ethnic collection is just the fit for your upcoming festival!
India has one of the oldest heritage and most unique cultures. However, over the years, this seems to be fading. EK tries to incorporate the traditional values and bring back the rich cultural gift from our ancestors in its products. Being Indian, we should be proud of our rich cultural heritage and try to stay connected to our roots.
EK has an impressive collection of ceramics, brassware, and copperware to several home linens inspired by local designs like Jarorkha and Mandala. This festive season brings a part of India back home with EK apparel, home decors, and much more.
Are you wondering what to gift your friends and family? EK has your back.
There are several gifting options that you can consider. Such as a collection of home linens and the home decor items like handcrafted ‘Blue pottery’ plates. You can also get contemporary spiritual jewellery designed with powerful symbols of protection like the Evil Eye, including evil eye bracelet and evil eye necklace or the Hamsa.
FAQ’s
For how many days is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated? When will it start?
Ganesh Chaturthi happens for 11 days. It begins with Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi. This year, it is on 31st August 2022.
Why do we immerse Ganesh in water?
Idols of Lord Ganesha are soaked in water bodies, following spectacular parades on streets, marking the end of Ganeshotsav. The statues and deities are dipped in the seas or other water bodies to bid them goodbye.
What should you avoid during Ganesh Chaturthi?
One should avoid creating chaos or causing harm to the environment while celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi.
On which day is Ganesh Visarjan done?
Ganesh Visarjan is to be done on the 11th day, the day of Anant Chaturdashi. However, You can also do the Visarjan on the 5th, 7th, or 10th day.