Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebration and When and How to Perform Ganesh Puja

Lord Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada. It is believed that on this day, Lord Ganesh was born again. Lord Ganesha also got the blessing of being worshiped before all the gods and goddesses on this day. Lord Ganesh, the youngest son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, is known by names like Vighnavinashak, Siddhidayak, Dhandayak, and Sankatnashak.

When is Ganesh Chaturthi?

In the year 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7. Many states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh observe a ten-day Ganesh festival during this time. The auspicious time for installing (Sthanpna) Ganesh idols will be between 11:10 AM to 01:39 PM.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Lord Ganesh is beloved and worshipped first among all deities. He is considered to remove all obstacles and grant success. Ganesh is the deity of knowledge and wisdom, symbolizing auspiciousness. Therefore, he is universally adored as Ganpati Vinayak, and his worship is believed to ensure success in all endeavors.

The Story of Lord Ganesh's Birth

The story of Lord Ganesh's birth is quite fascinating. Once, Goddess Parvati created a small child's form from turmeric paste before taking a bath and breathed life into it. She named him Vinayak. She endowed Vinayak with powers and stationed him at the entrance of her abode. Whenever anyone tried to enter, Vinayak prevented them and even fought them off. When all the gods lost battle from him, Lord Shiva severed the boy's head with his trident. Mother Parvati was deeply saddened by her son's demise and became Kali to revenge. Then, Lord Shiva ordered the gods to bring the head of an elephant. This elephant head was affixed to the boy Vinayak's body, granting him life. Then all the gods were pleased and blessed Vinayak and Lord Shiva made him the head of his Ganas.

Ganesh Utsav: Date and Auspicious Time

During the auspicious, profitable, or amrita Choghadiya, it is advisable to bring an idol of Lord Ganesh into the house. If you want to bring the idol of Ganapati on Saturday, September 7, 2024, the auspicious time is:

Ganesh Chaturthi – Saturday, September 7, 2024
Noon Ganesh Puja Muhurat – 11:07 AM to 01:33 PM
Duration – 2 hours 27 minutes
Chaturthi starts – September 6, 2024, at 03:01 PM
Chaturthi ends – September 7, 2024, at 05:37 PM

Ganeshji's Siddh Mantra

"Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada ||"

Meaning of the Shloka:
"O Lord Ganesha! We bow to you, the one with a twisted trunk and a massive form, the radiance of whose million suns fills the entire cosmos. Remove all obstacles from all my endeavors forever."

How to Celebrate Ganesh Utsav?

- Bring an idol of Lord Ganesh into the house.
- Worship Lord Ganesh with Vedic mantras and perform Shodashopachara Puja (16 steps of worship).
- Offer laddus and naivedya to Lord Ganesh.
- Until Lord Ganesh stays in your home, perform daily aarti.
- On the final day, immerse the idol of Lord Ganesh.
- However, according to some traditions, Lord Ganesh should never be bid farewell from home.

Ways to Please Lord Ganesh

Perform Puja with Durva grass – To please Lord Ganesh, offer him Durva grass along with his 108 names.
Offer Modak – Modak is beloved to Lord Ganesh, so offer him Modak as prasad.
Chant Mantras and Recite Scriptures – During Ganesh Utsav, chant any of Lord Ganesh's mantras 108 times daily and recite Atharvashirsha.