Ganesh Chaturthi Festival,Ganesha Chaturathi

Lord Ganesha

'Ga' symbolises Buddhi (intellect), 'Na' stands for Vijnana (wisdom). So, Ganapati is the master of Buddhi and Vijnana. The universe is sustained by Ganas (gods) and Ganapati is their master. In this world, everybody has a master, but Ganapati has none. He is a master by himself. This is the birthday of the Master of Masters. Ganapati is also called Mooshika Vahana (one who has a mouse as his vehicle). You may wonder how a small mooshika can carry on its back a hefty personality like Vinayaka. Here mooshika does not mean a mere mouse. It symbolises the darkness of ignorance because it is in darkness that the mouse moves about. Hence, Mooshika Vahana is one who subdues ignorance and dispels darkness. It is only when we understand the inner significance of the Vinayaka principle that we will be able to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi properly.

Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Sama Prabha
Nirvighnam kuru mey Deva Sarva kaaryeshu Sarvadaa

Translation: O Lord Ganesha of Large body, curved trunk, with the brilliance of a million suns, please make all my work free of obstacles, always.

On This Day

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.
Don't forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.
Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

Excerpts from Holy Books




Ganapati Upanishad

I know the one-tusked Lord teaching me the oneness. I know the curve-faced one straightening my path. May that elephant-headed God bless me with enlightenment.




Narayana Upanishad

I know that transcendental person. May that curve-faced one guide me. May that Ganesha of elephant head inspire and illumine my mind.




Maibraayani Samhita

I know the mysterious Lord. May His elephant face guide me. May Lord Ganesha illumine my intellect.

Offerings to Lord Ganesha

On this day of Vinayaka Chathurthi, various kinds of offerings are made. All preparations are cooked in steam and offered to him. People offer him Kudumulu and Vundrallu, made by using rice flour and til seeds, which have no oil content in them. Why is such an offering made? For humanity, heath is wealth. Those who partake food cooked in steam remain very healthy. But today, man is running after various delicacies. But, for the elephant health is all important. Vinayaka, too, teaches us the same. This preparation of rice flour and til seeds frees us from all defects of the eye like spots and cataract. A combination of jaggery and til seeds prevents all defects and diseases caused due to bile, wind and phlegm. The rice flour preparation made using steam helps in digestion too.
Read how to do Ganesha Puja

Ganesha Janmotsav -Birth of Lord Ganesha