Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Know why Ganesh Utsav is celebrated for 10 days

New Delhi: Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular festival in India, is a ten-day celebration filled with rituals and joy. This annual Hindu festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity with an elephant head. It holds immense cultural and religious significance. The ten-day celebration, also known as “Vinayaka Chaturthi,” has deep-rooted reasons for its duration.

Ganesh Chaturthi’s ten-day celebration is a blend of mythology, culture, and spirituality. It signifies the arrival of Lord Ganesha in the lives of devotees, bringing them wisdom, prosperity, and blessings. With its diverse rituals and traditions, this festival showcases the rich tapestry of Hindu beliefs, making it truly cherished across India.

Ganesh Chaturthi Origin

Ganesh Chaturthi has its origins in ancient Hindu mythology. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha by forming an idol from the dirt of her body while bathing. She gave life to the idol and assigned Ganesha the task of guarding her chamber.

One day, when Lord Shiva, Parvati’s husband, tried to enter the chamber, Ganesha, unaware of Shiva’s identity, prevented him from entering. This angered Shiva, leading to him beheading Ganesha. Deeply saddened, Parvati pleaded with Shiva to revive their son. Showing compassion, Shiva replaced Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant, granting him a new life.

Ganesh Chaturthi 10 Days Observance

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Ganesha was created by Parvati using sandalwood paste during her bath, and she brought the idol to life, assigning him the role of guarding her. However, when her husband Shiva returned and was stopped by Ganesha, a conflict arose, leading to Ganesha’s beheading. To reconcile, Shiva granted Ganesha a new head, often depicted as that of an elephant. This significant event is symbolically reenacted during the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, representing Ganesha’s birth and his journey back to his mother Parvati.

The ten-day celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi represents the journey of Lord Ganesha from his heavenly abode to Earth, where he is warmly welcomed. The festival commences with the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public places on the first day. Elaborate rituals, including the Pranapratishtha, are performed to invoke the divine presence into the idol.

From the second to the ninth day, devotees engage in offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. They present modak (a sweet delicacy), flowers, coconuts, and other items as a symbol of their devotion. Evenings are filled with cultural events like music and dance, celebrating the presence of the deity.

The tenth day, called “Anant Chaturdashi,” marks the culmination of the festival. Immersion, or “Visarjan,” takes place as the idols are carried in grand processions to nearby water bodies such as rivers, lakes, or the sea. This moment holds deep significance as devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, expressing gratitude for his presence and seeking blessings for the upcoming year.