Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Celebration, Significance, History & Timings

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a famous Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. While the major day is a religious holiday across many states in India, the festival itself is celebrated across 11 days. This day is dedicated to Lord Ganesh who is the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Lord Ganesh is known by various names such as – Gajanana, Dhoomraketu, Ekdanta, Vakrtunda, Siddhi Vinayaka etc.

Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Puja is a national festival, which is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols both publicly and privately. The festival celebrates Lord Vinayaka or Ganesh as the God of new beginnings and remover of hurdles. Lord Ganesh is worshipped for prosperity and knowledge.

History of Ganesh Chaturthi

Once Lord Shiva went to a place called Bhogavati from Mount Kailash to take a bath. After his departure, Parvati Ji went to take a bath and made an effigy from the filth of her body and made it alive. She named him Ganesh.

Parvati Ji said, Ganesh, you take a mug and go to the door and guard it. I am taking a bath inside. So keep in mind that you don’t let anyone inside until I take a bath. On the other hand, after a while after bathing in Bhogavati, when lord shiva came back and wanted to enter the house, Ganesha stopped him at the door.

Shiva considered this as an insult and got angry and went inside after separating his head from the torso. When Lord Shiva with crooked eyebrows reached inside, Parvati Ji saw him angry and understood that Mahadev was angry due to the delay in food.

So she immediately called Shivaji after serving food on two plates and requested him to have food. Then seeing the second plate, Shiva asked Parvati ‘For what is this second plate used?’ On this Parvati Ji said – For her son Ganesh, who is guarding the door outside.

Hearing this, Shiva was surprised and said – Your son is guarding? But when he stopped me across the door, I ended his life by beheading him. Hearing this Parvati became very sad and started mourning. He asked Shiva to revive the son.

Then to please Parvati, Lord Shiva cut off the head of an elephant child and attached it to the body of that child. Parvati was very glad to find her son Ganesh alive again. This incident happened on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Therefore this date is celebrated as a holy festival. (For more info read Ganesh Puran:).

Ganesh Chaturthi Timing 2023 Start And End Date

What is the Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special place in the hearts of people as they come together to honour Lord Ganesha, who is believed to be the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This celebration is rooted in a thrilling legend. In his childhood, Ganesha was entrusted with guarding his mother’s bath and was instructed not to allow anyone to enter.

Even when Lord Shiva himself attempted to enter, Ganesha respectfully prevented him. In a moment of frustration, Lord Shiva accidentally split Ganesha’s head. This event deeply moved Goddess Parvati, who insisted that Ganesha should be brought back to life.

To restore Ganesha, Lord Brahma affixed the head of an elephant onto his body, resulting in his distinctive portrayal as an elephant-headed deity. This distinctive appearance has become a hallmark of Lord Ganesha. Beyond his unique form, he is celebrated for his capacity to eliminate obstacles from people’s paths and guide them in achievements and prosperity.

The observance of Ganesh Chaturthi is a way for people to honour and rejoice in the rebirth of Lord Ganesha. It offers an opportunity to express unwavering devotion to him and to seek his blessings, empowering individuals to overcome any challenges they may encounter on their journey.

If you want to know more about Ganpati and its Temples then here are The Famous temples of Ganesha in India.

How Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Is Celebrated

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in public places and in homes. Ganesh Temples are lit up and decorated with flowers and flags. Special Pujas and ceremonies are conducted for all ten days. Preparations for the festival begin much before the actual day. Funds are collected by Puja Samitis from locals, business houses and shops.

The Murti Makers start making different types of Murtis – small to large to gigantic months before the event. One or two days before the date the Murtis are brought to the puja place. On day one of the festival, the Murtis are ceremoniously established on stages built for the purpose. The entire area is covered by tents known as ‘Pandals’ and decorated in every imaginable way.

In homes, a particular corner or area is cordoned off and decked up and the Murti is established. The size of the Murtis ranges from a tiny 1-inch to a Giant 70-feet statue. This is done in the Madhyahan time of the day with elaborate pujas and Shodashopachara Ganpati Puja.

Items such as Durwa grass, Modak Laddoos, flowers, coconut, Jaggery etc. Are offered to Lord Ganesh. After that for ten days – morning and evening, pujas and aartis are done. This is followed by the singing of bhajans and the reading of religious texts.

How did Ganesh Chaturthi start?

It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on the fourth day of Bhadrapad (Shukla Paksha) in the Madhyahan (Mid-Day) part of the day. It is not clearly known when this festival first started.

From early records, it is known that it was celebrated during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century CE. The Peshwas were devotees of Lord Ganesh, who started public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune in the 18th century. In the course of time, with the coming of the British, the festival lost state support and faded away.

Ganesh Visarjan

On the 11th day, which is also known as Anant Chaturdashi, the Murti of Lord Ganesh is taken out with lots of fanfare, loud music, chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and immersed in a river, pond, sea or any other water body. This is known as Visarjan. Huge crowds of devotees in a joyous mood follow the lively procession throwing dry colors at each other.

It is believed Lord Ganesh returns to Mount Kailash to join his father and mother, Lord Shiva and Parvati Mata on this day after the immersion. Lord Ganesha removes all hurdles and obstacles from one’s life and hence is known as Vighnaharta. Devotees believe they will also have a new beginning after the immersion, free from obstacles and problems.