Thursday 30 August 2012

Vinayaka Chavithi Celebrations in India

Ganesh Chaturthi is also popularly called as Vinayaka Chavithi or Vinayaka Chaturthi. This festival is celebrated on the birth day of Lord Ganesh, the first son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Ganesh is revered as an avatar of both Shiva and Vishnu. Vinayaka Chavithi is celebrated in the month of September on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi in Bhadrapada masam (as per Hindu calendar). The festival is celebrated for 11 days. This festival is celebrated all over India especially in Mumbai, Pune (Maharashtra), Bangalore (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamilnadu), and Hyderabad (Andhrapradesh. On this day, Lord Shiva has declared that his son Vinayaka as superior to all the Gods. This festival celebrated with full enthusiasm and ardor.

Vinayaka Idol

There is an interesting story regarding the birth of Lord Ganesh as per the Indian Mythology. Goddess Parvathi (wife of Lord Shiva) created a small kid’s idol with sandalwood paste which she uses for her bath. She gave life to this small idol and made him to guard her door while she completes her bath. Lord Shiva came to meet Goddess Parvathi, Ganesh who didn’t know Lord Siva didn’t allow him into the place. Shiva became angry upon Ganesh and cut off the head of child and he entered his house. After he came to know about the kid from Goddess Parvati  he fixed a elephant head in place of Ganesh head and gave him life. From this day Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as birthday of Lord Ganesh.

Lord Siva, Parvathi with Ganesh

On this day people decorate the idols with flowers, sandalwood powder, kumkum, grass, leaves, fruits of the season etc. Special sweets like laddoos and modakas which are favorite of the God’s are prepared and offered to God. God is worshipped with 21 blades of Druva Grass, 21 modakas, and red flowers. Actually this is 11 days festival. people worshiped till 10 days. 11th of this festival Ganesh idols are immersed in to  river and lakes. people prepare some recipes like modakas, kudumul(telugu), Laddus, and pulihora ext.... 
Vinayaka Chavithi Recipes
Kudumulu 

"Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pandhachya Vashi Larshi  Laukar Ya"

                             'Bolo Ganesh Maha Raj ke Jai'

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