As preparations are in full swing, with beautifully crafted Ganesh idols, vibrant pandals and dazzling lights, communities across the country are gearing up to honour Lord Ganesha with fervour and devotion. This festival, which holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people, is especially prominent in Maharashtra and is also widely celebrated in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. This 10-day festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, who is known to be the remover of all obstacles and the patron deity of wisdom and intellect.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, usually in August or September. The festival culminates on Anant Chaturdashi, when idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies, symbolising the deity's return to his heavenly abode.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2024? Dates and timings of the pujas:
Ganesha Chaturthi on Saturday, September 7, 2024
Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat – 11:03 to 13:34
Duration – 02 Hours 31 Minutes
Ganesha Visarjan on Tuesday, September 17, 2024
The day before, time to avoid seeing the Moon: 3:01 p.m. to 8:16 p.m. on September 6
Duration – 05 Hours 15 Minutes
Time to avoid sighting the Moon – 09:30 to 20:45
Duration – 11 hours 15 minutes
Chaturthi Tithi begins – 15:01 on 6th September 2024
Chaturthi Tithi ends – 17:37 on 7th September 2024
(Source: drikpanchang)
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Significance and Rituals:
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of devotion, celebration and community togetherness. Devotees bring home or set up community pandals adorned with ornaments and colourful lights, where they install idols of Lord Ganesha. Daily prayers, rituals and offerings are performed to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings for prosperity, success and wisdom.
Devotees bring home or set up community pandals and install beautifully decorated idols of Lord Ganesha. Prayers, offerings and rituals are performed daily throughout the 10-day festival. Houses and pandals are decorated with flowers, lights and other decorations. On the last day, idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies, symbolising his departure. Various sweet and savoury dishes, including Lord Ganesha's favourite, modak, are offered as bhog (offerings).
Modak is offered as bhog during Ganesh Chaturthi.
What is Modak?
No Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is complete without the offering of modaks, a sweet that is said to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite. Modak, a traditional Maharashtrian sweet, is a steamed dumpling made from rice flour or wheat flour and filled with a mixture of grated coconut, jaggery and cardamom. The soft outer layer and sweet, savoury filling make modak a delicious delicacy that is loved by people of all ages.
How Modak became Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet
The story of how modak became Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet has its roots in Hindu mythology, with several tales explaining its significance. According to an ANI report, one of the most popular stories revolves around Lord Ganesha's maternal grandmother, Queen Menavati. As the story goes, Queen Menavati doted on her grandson and used to prepare laddoos for him and send them to Mount Kailash. One day, Goddess Parvati realised that there were no ladoos on Mount Kailash to feed Ganesha. In her quest to find a solution, Parvati decided to create a new kind of sweet that was quick to prepare and satisfying for Ganesha. She came up with the idea of modaks, which required less time to make compared to laddoos. Much to her delight, Lord Ganesha loved modaks, and they soon became his favourite treat.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2024!