Ganesh Chaturthi facts for kids
Ganesha Chaturthi is a special 10-day Hindu celebration. It marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, who is the son of Shiva and Parvati. People all over India celebrate this festival with great joy. It starts on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada and finishes on the tenth day, called Anant Chaturdashi. For example, in 2020, it was celebrated on August 22nd. This festival is very popular in Maharashtra. During this time, people make special sweets called "modaks" because Lord Ganesha loves them. Lalbaug in Mumbai is famous for its huge Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations every year.
There are many different forms of Ganesha that people worship, like Bal Ganesh, Lalbaugchya Raja, Siddhivinayak Maharaj, and Dhagru Sheth. The most well-known ones are Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir and Lalbaugcha Raja.
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About Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is a deeply religious Hindu festival where people pray to Lord Ganesha with great devotion. During this celebration, people bring clay statues of Ganesha into their homes. Some also place larger statues in public areas called pandals. These are like temporary stages or altars.
The festival begins with special prayers and hymns from ancient Hindu texts. People offer prasada (blessed food) after prayers and share it with everyone. This prasad often includes sweets, especially modaka, which is believed to be Ganesha's favorite. The festival starts on the fourth day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada. This usually happens in August or September. Ganesha Chaturthi lasts for ten days.
The celebrations include four main steps:
Bringing the Idol Home
This first step is called Pranapratistha. It means placing the idol of Lord Ganesha in the pandals or homes. This is a very exciting part of the festival. People sing folk songs and pray while bringing the idol. They also play with colors to show their happiness.
Offering Prayers
The next step is Shodasopachara. This is when people pray to Lord Ganesha and offer him special puja (worship).
Moving the Idol
After the main prayers, there is a ceremony called Uttarpuja. After this ritual, the Ganesha idol can be moved from its spot. People then carry the idol among the public. This allows everyone to get Ganesha's blessings.
Immersion Ceremony
The final stage is Ganpati Visarjan. At this point, the Ganesha idol is gently placed into a river, sea, or ocean. It is believed that Ganesha returns to his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, after this immersion.
Images for kids
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Ganesha, Basohli miniature, circa 1730.
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Ganesh idol in Khairatabad, Hyderabad, India
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Artist preparing Ganesh's image for the festival in Margao, Goa
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The Laalbaaghcha Raja (the most renowned version of Ganesh in Mumbai) in procession.
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A domestic celebration of Ganesh during Ganesh Chaturthi in a Maharashtrian home
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Ganesh Visarjan in Mumbai
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Ganpati idol in Pune
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Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Antwerp, Belgium
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Ganesh Chaturthi celebration by the Sri Lankan Tamil community in France
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Hindus in Ghana celebrating Ganesh Chaturti
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Ganesh idol at a public pandal in Hyderabad
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A Ganesh idol in a home during the festival
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Procession in Mumbai
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Procession in Pune
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Procession in Surat
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Immersion in sea, Chennai
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Immersion of idol in Bangalore
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Ganeshotsva Dagadusheth Ganapati 2018 in Pune
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Juinagarcha-Raja Navi Mumbai
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Khasbag Raja Belgaum
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Shree Ganesh Festival, Malaka Pond, Hyderab
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Ganesh festival in Amalner, Maharashtra
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Created on Jan 14, 2012. This photo is taken at night time.
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See also
In Spanish: Ganesh Chaturthi para niños
