Happy and Successful Ganesh Chaturthi
We wish a very happy and successful Ganesh Chaturthi to all my friends
Ganesh chaturthi is fast approaching and you might be excited to celebrate it with gusto. This year (2011) on September starts the gala celebrations of Ganesh chaturthi. Yes. We all celebrate. But would you like to know the spirit that makes the celebrations more meaningful?! Please read on to know!
Ganesh chaturthi is one of the grandest and most elaborate festivals that Indians celebrate. Especially in the state of Maharastra, Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days. It begins on the fourth day of shukla chaturthi and ends on the day of ananta chaturdasi. The power of Lord Ganesha is invoked on the first day; worshipped elaborately in decorated pandals for 9 days; and on the tenth day he is bid farewell by immersing in water bodies.
But now-a-days Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated just as some mundane party or get-together, aiming only at external activities. You might have noticed such a thing in the places where mass of people sing mundane cinema songs and dance wildly without knowing what are they doing this for. There is no connection to Lord Ganesh. Some do not even know who is Lord Ganesha and what is his significance. This is sorry state of affair.
Celebrations of Ganesh chaturthi festival can be meaning only by knowing the philosophy behind Lord Ganesh and contemplating his significance in one’s life.
Significance of Lord Ganesha Hindu scriptures describe Ganesha as son of Lord Shiva, who is empowered to remove obstacles in the path of success. He is one of the five prime Hindu deities. He is worshipped at the beginning of every major venture. He is glorified in following vedic mantra:
Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe
“O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!”
Lord Ganesha should be worshipped with great reverence and respect. It is best celebrated with the spirit of enthusiasm for wisdom and knowledge. One should take resolutions on the day of Ganesha chaturthi. One should contemplate what is the goal of his or her life and how to achieve that goal. What are the obstacles on the way of your goal. What is your idea of success. Then you should pray to Lord Ganesha for help in achieving the goal. This is the real meaning of worshipping Lord Ganesha.
Lord Ganesha is pleased when the devotee prays for success of all humanity. Ganesh chaturthi should unify all and direct everyone towards the success of human life, salvation.
We wish a very happy and successful Ganesh Chaturthi!
