Science Behind- Ganesh Chaturthi| By G. D Mahalakshmi

Yes,by the above picture its clear that the festival is about Ganesh Chathurdhi(The birth,science behind it and its motto).

Ganesh Chaturthi is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, revived(rebirth) to life on earth with the head of elephant. It is celebrated as it is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi.Ganesha Chaturthi  is the Hindu festival held on shukla chaturthi in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada and ends on Anant chaturdashi.

Ganesha Chaturthi is the festival celebrating the rebirth of God Ganesha. The elephant-headed God has an interesting story. He was created in a completely human form by the Goddess Parvati. Shiva bought Ganesha back to life and thus his story is considered one of rebirth and regeneration. Ganesh Jayanti (literally “Ganesha’s birthday”, also known as Magha shukla chaturthi, Tilkund chaturthi, and Varad chaturthi.

This festival is observed in the lunar month of bhadrapada (a Hindu month), shukla paksha chathurthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). Typically, the day falls sometime between August and September . The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi.

According to the Holy Hindu scriptures, the legend, Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of resolution, was away at a war. Pavarti, his wife wanted to bathe. She had no one to guard the door to her house, she conceived of the idea of creating a son who could guard her. Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him to stand guard at her   door and instructed him not to let anyone enter. In the meantime, Lord Shiva returned from the battle.

Ganesha and Shiva did not know each other. Ganesha stopped Shiva from entering Parvati’s chamber. Shiva, got angry by Ganesh’s behavior, took his Trishul and cut off Ganesha’s head. Pavarti emerged to find Ganesha decapitated and flew into a rage. She took on the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened destruction to the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and the subterranean earth.

Fearing the most, the other Gods implore Shiva to pacify Parvati. Shiva sent out to bring the head of the first living being  towards the north . He came across  an elephant. So he brought the head of the elephant and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati’s son and breathed life into him. Parvati was overjoyed and embraced her son, the elephant-headed boy whom Shiva named Ganesha.

There are many stories related to Lord Ganesha, on Ganesha Chaturthi, one should not see the Moon. It is said that Ganesha fond of Modakas ate too many of them. His stomach was so big he was unable to walk. He picked up a snake on the way and tied it to his stomach as a belt. The Moon or Chandra found it hilarious and laughed at Ganesha. Ganesha was furious and his cursed him that any who sees the Moon on his birthday would be cursed.Ganesha has a mouse as his Vahana (vehicle).

Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of  Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures mantapas (pandals) in every locality. The mantapas are decorated specially for the festival, either by using decorative items like flower garlands, small banana saplings, lights, etc or are theme based decorations, which depict religious themes or current events.

The celebrations go on for 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi. On the 11th day, the statue is taken in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare through the streets to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode Kailash and taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees.

“Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukar ya” (O father Ganesha, come again early next year) is the slogan sang while immersing the idol.

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is the supreme god of knowledge, wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. He is the Lord who is first worshiped before any holy occasion or puja.

Lord Vinayaka is revered as the preserver of all good things and prevents Vigna (meaning obstruction/bad omen). His motto is Shubh-Laabh (good prospect and good prosperity).

__G.D Mahalakshmi