Ganesha Chaturthi is a joyous festival celebrated across India with the pomp and fervor of a royal occasion. It is a grand festival celebrated for 10 days, where Lord Ganesha is worshiped on the Chaturthi (fourth) day in the Bhadrapada maasa and continues till Anantha Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day.
In 2025, this Ganesha Chaturthi festival falls on 27 August, bringing positive vibes, auspiciousness, wisdom, wealth, and health into one’s life. Ganesha Visarjan, which falls on Anantha Chaturdashi, will be observed on Saturday, September 6.
This festival is celebrated across India, irrespective of caste, creed, and gender. More than a festival, it is a gentle reminder of devotion, new beginnings, gratitude, dharma, bhakti, courage, and love.
Ganesha Chaturdashi, which is observed on Bhadrapada maasa, is celebrated across different states with different traditions and rituals. It is the most favorite and celebrated festival for the Hindus. Right from children to the elderly, also widely honored by all community.
In the Maharashtra state, it is celebrated with great grandeur. The city becomes very energetic with the beats of drums, bhajans, and elaborate pandals. Also celebrated in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and many more.
On Vinayaka Chaturthi, the elephant-headed god, who is a remover of obstacles, is brought into every home of his devotees, and his favorite dish, modak, is offered to seek his blessings.
Significance of the Ganesha Festival
- Lord Ganesha is revered as the one who clears obstacles and grants success.
- He also bestows intelligence, knowledge, clarity of thought, wisdom, peace, and prosperity.
- The festival preaches the practice of dharma.
- When the Navagrahas are not aligned, one may face a lot of difficulties in life. Hence, when you worship Lord Ganesha, it brings harmony and wellness during this tough period.
- When one is under the influence of Rahu-Ketu, one may face a lot of hardships during this period. When you worship Lord Ganesha sincerely, the malefic effects can be reduced.
- Those undergoing Rahu-ketu doshas, Rahu Mahadasha, and Ketu Mahadasha will benefit greatly if they worship Vinayaka on Ganesha Chaturthi.
How to Install the Deity of Lord Ganesha at Home for Ganesha Chaturthi
Choose the Right Deity of Lord Ganesha: Before you bring the Deity of Lord Ganesha home, clean your entire house first. Always choose an eco-friendly Ganesha that is made of natural materials and doesn’t cause hazards to nature, and that dissolves easily in water.
Once you bring the mangala murthi Ganesha home, with due respect, place it on the raised platform covered with a neat cloth. Place it in the sacred location of your choice.
Prepare the Space: After you install the Deity, cleanse the space carefully to welcome the divine energy into your house. Then decorate your favorite and loving god with a fresh garland of flowers. Draw rangoli in front of the Lord. Put a lighting system to create a bright spiritual ambience.
Placement: Make sure that the Deity of Lord Ganesha is either facing east or the north direction. Make your offerings like fruits, sweets, and flowers.
Pooja Procedure on Ganesha Chaturthi
Morning Rituals: Wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear neat clothes. Seek the divine grace of Lord Vinayaka by offering light through a ghee lamp and by kindling incense sticks, camphor (karpoora), and sambrani.
Dhyana/Meditation: Sit in a peaceful place in front of Lord Ganesha, now close your eyes, meditate upon Lord Ganesha, and chant your favorite authorized mantras of Lord Ganesha.
Offerings Naivedya to Lord Ganesha: Once you bring Ganesha into your house, prepare Sri Ganesha’s favorite sweets like Modak and offer them. Also, coconuts, fruits, and other sweets of your choice can be added.
Aarti: Perform aarti to the Deity of Lord Ganesha while singing devotional songs and bhajans.
Prayers: You can also recite Ganesha Ashtottara, shlokas, and stotras, asking him to bless with peace, prosperity, and happiness in your house. Ganesha, being a Vighnaharta or Vighna Vinashaka, removes all the obstacles leading to success in life.
On the day of Ganesha Chaturthi, please chant the below mantra to receive the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
Pranamya shirasa devam Gauri putram Vinayakam |
Bhakthavasam smaretrityamayuh kama artha sidhaye ||
Prathamam Vakratundam cha, Ekadantam dwitiyakam |
Tritiyam Krushna Pingaksham,Gajavaktram Chaturthakam ||
Lambodaram Panchamam cha ,Sashtam Vikatamev cha |
Saptamam Vignarajam cha,Dhoomravarnam tathashtamam ||
Navamam Bhalchandram cha, Dashamam tu Vinayakam |
Ekadasham Ganapatim, Dwadasham tu Gajananam||
Dwadasaithani namani ,Trisandhyam yah pathenara |
Na cha vighna bhayam tasya,Sarvsiddhi karam param ||
Vidhyarthi labhate Vidhyam,Danarthi labhate Dhanam|
Putrarthi labhate Putran,Moksharthi labhate Gateem ||
Japet Ganapati stotram,Shadbhirmasai phalam labheth |
Samvatsarena sidhim cha,Labhate natra sanshaya ||
Ashtabhyo Brahmoyashr Likihitwa yh samarpayet |
Tasya Vidhya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadatah ||
Guidelines for Celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi
Be very thoughtful before decorating the Deity: Use natural decorations like flowers, leaves, and eco-friendly rangoli. Avoid plastic or hazardous materials that cause harm to nature.
Participation of Family Members: Perform the puja, along with the family members. Also, engage your children to sing bhajans, perform aarti, and distribute sweets. It nurtures within them a sense of sacred connection and collective unity.
Community Spirit: This is a charming and energetic festival, which is celebrated with friends and family. You can share a special family bond.
Visarjan: On the day of Visarjan, immerse the Deity in nearby water bodies like lakes, ponds, or rivers. If these options are not available, you can also immerse at your house only. Take a bucket full of water, and immerse it.
Tears may flow down from your eyes when you part ways with Lord Ganesha, who was a member of your family. But you can rejoice again, as He always stays in our hearts and blesses us and comes back again in the next year.
Perform Charity/Dhana: It is an act of kindness towards needy people. One may be blessed abundantly; it is always an act of generosity when you give some food or clothes to people who can’t even afford them.
Leave a Reply