Science behind – Ganesh Chaturthi | By Kajal Singh

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is the festival of Hindu celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada around August and September during rainy season. Traditionally, it is celebrated on the auspicious day of elephant headed Lord Ganesha birthday. Mythologically, Ganesha is considered as a emblem of Intelligence and wisdom due to Ganesha is derived from two words- one is Gana which means “group” and second Isha which means “Leader”.

Scientifically, there are many reasons to celebrate Ganesh chaturthi:

• While worshipping Lord Ganesha; people offer twenty-one Cynodon dactylon ( also known as Bermuda grass or dhoop durva grass) to him. During Bhadrapada month or in rainy season pitta (heat and water) get accumulated in the body which causes digestive ailments, so dhurva helps to absorb heat of the body.
• During rainy season many water borne diseases are generally spread after the festival, the worshipped Ganesha idol with many pooja leaves ( pathra) are immersed in water and by throwing these leaves in huge amount helps to purify water due to their medicinal properties.
• During Ganesh Chaturthi famous sweet Modaks are prepared from jaggery which helps to purify blood and improve the vision.

Before rainy season, the dry summer would made water sources porous and might run slightly shallowly, so when Ganesha idol is immersed in water which is made from natural clay help the Groundwater to rise, avoid excess wastage of water, and easily get dissolved in water, this develop immunity and resistance to fight against bacteria.

Motto: Ganesha idol should be made only from natural clay and not from POP( Plaster of Paris) to bring the essence of this festival; in order to maintain groundwater level and save ecosystem. Also this festival signifies cycle of creation and dissolution in Nature.

__Kajal Singh