Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesh as per Hinduism. While it is lavish celebration in the northern parts of India, for Tamilians it is mostly a silent, auspicious day. While even our people have adopted the grandeur way of celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi over the last few decades, there are still places where people do celebrate in a subtle wat still and mine is one such 🙂
Why Do We Celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honor the birth and rebirth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of clay to guard her while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was denied entry by Ganesha, a confrontation ensued, resulting in Shiva severing Ganesha’s head. To rectify this, Shiva ordered his attendants to bring the head of the first living creature they found, which happened to be an elephant. Shiva placed the elephant’s head on Ganesha’s body, bringing him back to life. This event is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi, signifying his rebirth. Ganesha is revered as the beloved son of Shiva and Parvati, embodying their combined qualities of power, wisdom, and compassion. His elephant head represents wisdom, intelligence, and memory, and his broken tusk symbolizes sacrifice and the importance of letting go of ego.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrated to honor Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. He is also revered as the god of wisdom and intelligence. The festival symbolizes the arrival of Ganesha into the lives of devotees, offering them wisdom, prosperity, and blessings. It is believed that those who pray to Ganesha during this festival are set free of sins and it leads them on the path of knowledge and wisdom.
Simple Ganesha mantras that you can chant everyday are Vinayagar Agaval, Aindhu Karathanai, Paalum Theli Thaenum, Kai Thalam Nirai Kani and Vaakundaam Nalla Manam Undaam.
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