Ganesh chaturthi also known as Vinayaka chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated all over India. The festival is to worship and honor Lord Ganesha.  The worshipping is considered very auspicious. Lord Ganesha blesses his followers and bring prosperity and positivity. According to the Hindu calendar, every fourth day of Krishna paksha is ganesha’s day. Followers can do a 16- fold procedure.

KATHA

• According to the Hindu culture, Goddess Parvati was taking bath. She created an idol made up mud and gave life to him. Naming him as Lord Ganesha. Goddess Parvati asked him to guard the gate while she is taking her bath. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva came heading towards Parvati. Stubborn Ganesha stops Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva got angry and beheaded Ganesha for this. When Parvati came to know about this, she took her larger than life avatar to destruct the whole world. All devtas gathered and requested Lord Shiva to calm her down. Lord Shiva placed the elephant head on Ganesha’s body and gave him life. Parvati, still angry asked Lord Shiva to grant him vardaans. Then Lord Ganesha was blessed with his initial invocation. Goddess Parvati asked that he should be worshipped before all other devtas and Gods. The day now is celebrated as Ganesha Chaturthi all over India.
• Once upon a time, Lord Shiva asked Kartikay and Ganesha to take a round of the earth and who will do that first will go to help devtas. After taking the task, kartikay left fastly to take the round whereas Ganesha started taking rounds of his parents couch. When asked by Lord Shiva, Ganesha answered that according to him, the whole world lies in the feet of parents. After hearing this, Lord Shiva blessed Ganesha that anyone who will worship you on the fourth date will be free from sins.

FASTING PROCEDURE

• Observers should take bath very early in the morning.
• Before starting the day, one should chant ganesh mantra by taking water.
• Worship the idol of lord Ganesha. ( gold, copper, mud )
• Take a pot and cover it’s mouth with a clean cloth.
• Place the idol over it.
• Wash the hands and feets of the idol.
• Bath the idol with milk, curd or ghee.
• Offer new clothes.
• Offer 21 ladoos to the idol. Keep 5 of them with the idol, 5 to Brahman. Remaining can be distributed as prashada.
• After this, sing Aarti. – Jay Ganesh, Jay Ganesh, Jay Ganesh Deva;
  Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
  Ladduvan Ke bhog lage, Sant kare seva…
• The fast ends after offering prayers and taking the sight of moon.

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