Hello dear readers

In my last blog, I informed that I had been busy with Ganpati festival in the last 20 days. 

Let me now inform you (in case you are unaware) the meaning of this festival. 

Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayak chaturthi, since God Ganesha is also called Vinayaka. There are many theories about this day. It is believed that this day marks the birth of Ganesha. Now this story is also very interesting. 

Mata Parvati who was wife of God Shiva, resided on Mount Kailash. She wanted to have a son, so she made one dummy child using the dirt on her skin. So basically Ganesha was made of clay from his mother's body. She then prayed to God to grant life to her son.

 Later she went to take a bath and asked Ganesh not to let anyone inside her room. He did as asked. God Shiva returned and wanted to enter, but Ganesha invited him for a fight but won't disobey his mother.

Ganesha lost the fight and Shiva separated his head from his body. As Mata Parvati came back, she got really furious as well as upset with Shiva for killing her son. She gave an ultimatum of Shiva to bring her son back or she will leave Kailash. 

Shiva asked everyone to go in search for a head. Then head of a baby elephant was brought which was fixed to Ganesha and he was brought back to life. All other Gods gave him blessing that everyone will pray to Him first, and due to that no one will face any obstacles in life. 

So this incident happened on Ganesh Chaturthi, so we worship Ganesha every year on this day. We believe that Ganesha is arriving with his mother on earth.

It is also said that Ganesha started writing the grand epic of Mahabharat on this day. It took him 11 days to complete it, during that period, everyone got food and fed Him with their own hands so that the writing is not disturbed. So we offer various food to Him while he is at our place in idol form. 

Another story that I have heard is that on this day Ganesha's brother Kartikey invited him to his kingdom and made him the king for those 11 days. He welcomed and greeted him with lot of respect and love. 

Therefore, now you know that why this day is so auspicious. This festival is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra. Though this festival has been celebrated since the time of Chattarpati Shivaji, but became a large public event when Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian freedom fighter, organised this on large scale to unite the people of India.

 I hope you find this information useful. Do let me know in the comments. 

In the next blog, I will inform about the traditions I follow while worshiping for the 10 days.