Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated every year with enthusiasm and excitement. This day is dedicated to celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha (Known as the God of fresh beginnings). Lord Ganesha is considered the God of prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune. It commences on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), i.e., the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.

Since Shri Ganesh is popularly known as Vighnaharta (the one who is immersed in removing obstacles), he is worshipped before initiating any new project or auspicious beginning, such as Griha Pravesh or marriage. It is one of the holiest and sacred festivals of Sanatan Dharma.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a way to commemorate the grand birth of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is known by different names, including Ekdanta, Gajanana, Dhoomraketu, Vakrtunda, and Siddhi Vinayaka.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Date 

Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the month of Bhadra; the festival date varies annually, as per the Hindu calendar, & in August/September as per the Gregorian calendar.

In 2023, the ten-day celebrations will be initiated on Tuesday, September 19. The Ganesh Visarjan will be observed this year on September 28.

History

The celebration of the Indian festival in a grand way dates back to the days of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Furthermore, the festival was reincarnated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in order to unite the folks and bridge the gap of casteism among them. It is said that he set up the first and oldest well-known Mandal, Keshavi Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal at Girgaon (Girgaum) in 1893. In order to give wings to the spirit of nationalism and connect people, he also commenced the tradition of installing Lord Ganesha’s Idol during the wonderful festival. Folks believe he was the first to set up Lord Ganesha’s large clay idol in a public space and initiated the 10-day affair.

Lord Ganesha is widely known as the elephant-headed Lord of wisdom and excellence and the eliminator of hurdles. One of the most revered and loved Hindu godpairs, Shiva Ji and Parvati Ji, brought Lord Ganesha to this world. When Bhagwan Shiva returned home and saw Bal Ganesha blocking his way, he cut off his child’s head due to uncontrollable anger. After witnessing such acts, Mata Parvati was disheartened and begged Lord Shiva to bring Bal Ganesha to life. Lord Shiva (Mahadev) suggested that it is only possible if someone brings a head to fix the Ganesha’s body structure. One wise man suggested getting an elephant head, and Lord Shiva agreed to bring Shri Ganesha to life. Since ages, Lord Ganesha has assisted us in avoiding natural calamities.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Significance 

It is depicted that Goddess Parvati constructed an idol of a child using sandalwood paste and ingrained her divine superpowers into him. A young boy appeared from the sculpture, addressing her as a Mata (mother). Goddess Parvati was satisfied and moved into a blissful state to have a son and was confident he would always dedicate himself to her.

It is recommended that devotees of Shri Ganesha do not view the moon on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. A person who gets a glimpse of the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Kalank or Mithya Dosham. It clearly indicates false accusations of theft.

The observance of Ganesh Chaturthi is a way for folks across the nation to commemorate and rejoice in the rebirth of Bhagwan Shri Ganesha. It offers a prospect to define unwavering devotion to him and to seek his divine blessings, empowering individuals to crush any challenges coming their way.

Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays 2024-2028

Given below is a table that exhibits the schedule of the Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi for the forthcoming years ahead-

What Rituals are observed for Ganesh Chaturthi?

Though the festival is identical and has the same nature of connotations all over India, each region has mild variations in rituals as well as traditions. The celebrations last between 7 & 10 days at different places. Some of the common observances are:

1. Ganapati Statue Installation- A statue of the Elephant God, Shri Ganesha, is installed on a pedestal either within the domestic environment or in a public spot with a Pranapratishhtha Pooja.
2. Avoid Looking at the Moon: Folks avoid looking at the moon on the first night of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, as it is considered a bad omen.
3. Prayers: Proper washing and cleaning of the statue; Pooja with the chanting of shlokas as well as flowers and sweets shared in the form of offerings; and aarti, i.e. circumlocution of the Ganesh Ji idol with a plate loaded with a lit metal lamp, kumkum as well as flowers, is done. Prayer meetings take place at Ganapati temples & public installations on a regular basis during evening hours and, in some places, during morning hours as well.
4. Remarkable Performances: Several public installations of Lord Ganesha have turned out into paradise due to some amazing performances packed with dance, skits, and music. 
5. Preparing and Consuming Modak: Modak is viewed to be Ganesha’s favourite sweet. So, these dumplings are prepared and distributed in the form of prasad during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Other sweet items such as ladoo, barfi and pedas were distributed during this period. 
6. Ganpati Visarjan: Ganpati Visarjan is the proper immersion of the idol in a water body. It is conducted on the last day – somewhere between the seventh & eleventh days – of the festive occasion. It is escorted by a procession of people chiming bhajans, shlokas & songs with the idol. Folks seek forgiveness for their mistakes so far and ask god to help them walk on the path of righteousness. Lord Shri Ganesha is thanked for visiting the home/locality, for eradicating obstacles from people’s routes, and for the auspiciousness he confers.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration 2023 

• Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is one of the grand occasions in the books of Sanatan Dharma. It’s a day to remember our adorable god, Ganpati Bappa. 

• Devotees need to wake up during early morning hours, take a bath, and wear clean and nice clothes. 

• Take a Chowki and cover it with a yellow or red colour cloth. After that, place the idol of Shri Ganesha Ji over there. 

• Sprinkle the Gangajal, light a diya, and eventually, place Haldi Kumkum Tilak on the forehead of Lord Shri Ganesha. 

• After that, offer Ladoo, modak, dry fruits, yellow flowers, etc. 

• Cover the head of Shri Ganesha with a Dupatta.

• Now, start Pooja with Om Gan Ganpataye Namah. 

Top Destinations to Spend Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays 2023

Givenbeloware the top five popular Indian destinations to visit during the Ganesh Chaturthi holidays of 2023:

Mumbai: Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with passion and enthusiasm in the capital city of Maharashtra, Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. Thousands of Pandals are set up every year in Mumbai. The festival is celebrated on a national level, but the maximum grandeur is observed in the city of Mumbai. The celebration was encouraged in the past course of time by Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler. Lalbaugcha Raja and Khetwadi Ganraj are the two most popular Ganesh Pandals in the city.

Pune: One of the best Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations takes place inPune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra. The festival is a blissful and joyful ride in the cultural, social, and religious life of Pune. The prominent five idols in Pune comprise Tulshibaug, Kasba Ganpati, Guruji Talim, Kesariwada Ganpati, and Jogeshwari Ganapati.

Goa: The Ganesh Chaturthi festival holds a significant place in the hearts of the folks of Goa, the smallest state in India. It is a holistic event of enthusiasm and joy. Furthermore, it shall bring about a proper reunification of friends as well as families. Several merchant associations install the magnificent idols of Lord Ganesh across the state.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the recognized destinations to experience the royal celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. One of the biggest Ganesh idols in the country is installed in Khairatabad. The Ganesh Utsav Committee in khairatabad is known for installing the biggest Ganesh idol.

Ganpatipule: Ganpatipule, a small city, has a string of beaches offering some stunning views of the sea. The Swayambhu Ganpati Temple of Ganpatipule is eminent for its impressive idol of Lord Ganapati. This temple has been the hub of festivities.

How is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated in India? 

Ganesh Chaturthi evolves as a vigorous 10-day jubilation, depicted by the ornamentation of Ganpati idols, heartfelt prayers within homes as well as public shrines, harmonious Ganesh Chaturthi aarti, and an exhibition of cultural remembrances. 

A Glance of the 10-Day Celebration: 

• Day 1 Celebration: Embracing Shri Ganesha with Devotion & Clay Creation: The onset of Ganesh Chaturthi sees the installation of Lord Shri Ganesha’s sacred idol, gracing both homes as well as pandals. Devotees offer wholehearted prayers while the market gets decorated with an assortment of clay idols, each chosen with respect and care to match its planned abode. 

• Day 2 Celebration: The Centrality of the Sacred Festival: The second day, aptly termed ‘Chaturthi’, carries a vital role as the heart of the whole celebration. 

• Day 3 Celebration: A Premier Tapestry of Prayers & Aarti for Lord Shri Ganesha: On the third day, devotees dedicate themselves to typical prayers and immerse in the ritualistic aarti, funnelling their reverence towards Lord Shri Ganesha. 

• Day 4 Celebration: Devotions, Aarti, and Flavourful Offerings: The fourth day reverberates with optimistic prayers, escorted by aarti ceremonies and the distribution of delicious sweets as tickets of devotion to Lord Shri Ganesha. 

• Day 5 Celebration: Shhodashopachara Pooja for Lord Ganesha: The fifth day summarizes the ‘Shhodashopachara Pooja’ a complex ceremony enclosing 16 facets of worship, functioning as homage to Lord Shri Ganesha. 

• Day 6 Celebration: Homebound Prayers: Aartis guide in joy as the sixth-day dawns, popularly regarded as ‘Sashti’ close-knit prayers and soul-stirring aartis replenish the homes of devotees. 

• Day 7 Celebration: A Holy Voyage: Through Remarkable Prayers and Saptapadi or day seven, distinguished as a day of ‘Saptapadi’, entails the performance of the sacred seven steps, escorted by sincere supplications to Lord Ganesha. 

• Day 8 Celebration: The Reverent Ashtami Day: Celebrated as ‘Ashtami, ’ the eighth day unfurls with dedicated prayers, aarti rituals, as well as the presentation of pleasant confections offered to Lord Shri Ganesha. 
• Day 9 Celebration: A Caring Tribute to Nine Plants: The penultimate day assumes the ‘Navapatrika Pooja’, an earnest tribute paid through the adoration and worship of nine distinct plants. 

• Day 10 Celebration: A Majestic Procession & Ganesh Visarjan: The lavish finale, known as ‘Vijayadashami’, represents the culmination of the festival. Lord Ganesha’s bright idol embarks on a splendid procession, pinnacling in its immersion, regarded as Ganesh Visarjan, into the nearby waters. 

10+ Best Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes for 2023

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner, and we all know that it is celebrated with pomp and zeal. Let’s have a look at 10+ Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes for 2023-

Fried Modak

Modak is generally of two types- fried and steamed. A crunchy fried Modak with a delicious filling of jaggery and coconut will make your day bright.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Coconut
• Jaggery
• Cashews
• Cardamom Powder
• Saffron
• Oil
• Salt
• Wholewheat Powder
• Ghee

 Chocolate Ladoo

It is one of the most loved festive desserts. Chocolate ladoo is prepared using a combination of condensed milk, almond flour, and cocoa powder. It can satisfy your craving for Indian sweets.

Recipe Ingredients

• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Cocoa Powder
• Almond Flour
• Shredded Coconut
• Chopped Nuts

Sheera/Sooji Halwa 

Made with easily available ingredients such as ghee, milk, and rava, it is a perfect recipe that will drive you to have one more plate.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Semolina
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Milk/Water
• Nuts
• Cardamom Powder
• Saffron

Puran Poli

It is the right mix of jaggery, lentils, and Maida. It is a sweet dish native to different parts of India.

Recipe Ingredients

• Bengal Gram Chana Dal
• Powdered Jaggery
• Saffron
• All-purpose Flour (Maida)
• Water
• Ghee

Besan Ladoo

This melt-in-the-mouth ball will turn your day into a sweet one. It’s tasty and can be made with little effort.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Besan
• Ghee
• Ground Cardamom
• Sugar
• Chopped Roasted Nuts
• Sooji
• Nutmeg

Mango Shrikhand

Mango Shrikhand is a perfect, sweet, and refreshing treat. Mango pulp, creamy yoghurt, and sugar are properly blended together and garnished with cardamom and sugar to prepare it.

Recipe Ingredients

• Greek Yoghurt
• Mango Pulp
• Cardamom Powder
• Sugar
• Warm Milk
• Saffron
• Pistachios

Carrot Kheer 

It is a healthy variation of pudding. This recipe will be on your to-do list of sweet recipes.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Milk
• Carrot
• Dates
• Cashews
• Green Cardamom
• Saffron
• Almonds

Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana (Tapioca or Sago) Khichdi is a perfect healthy and nutritious course for breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Sabudana washed
• Oil
• Water
• Carrot
• Potato
• Peanuts
• Salt
• Lime Juice
• Green Peas

Patra/Patrode 

A delectable steamed appetizer is prepared using colocasia leaves rolled with a spicy blend of gram flour and spices.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Colocasia Leaves
• Besan
• Turmeric Powder
• Ginger Paste
• Oil
• Jaggery
• Coriander Seed Powder
• Oil
• Tamarind Pulp
• Salt
• Baking Soda
• Mustard Seeds
• Curry Leaves
• Shredded Coconut
• Sesame Seeds

Chocolate Peda

This Ganesh Chaturthi, make this easy and nutritious sweet for your little ones. It is a gluten-free dessert that ignites your taste buds.

Recipe Ingredients

• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Almond Flour
• Ghee (Try A2 Gir Cow Ghee for Amazing Taste)
• Sliced Almonds
• Cocoa Powder

Basundi

It is a delicious Indian dessert that is easy to make, and consuming it can make your day.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Milk
• Saffron Strands
• Sugar
• Nutmeg Powder
• Cashew Nut
• Cardamom
• Almond
• Pistachios

Amti

A traditional no-onion, no-garlic, this Maharashtrian dal is extremely easy to make in an instant pot or a slow cooker.

Recipe Ingredients 

• Toor Dal
• Mustard Seeds
• Oil
• Hing
• Curry Leaves
• Tamarind Paste
• Water
• Jaggery
• Salt
• Turmeric Powder
• Cilantro

The Final Words 

Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated publicly with passion and thrill in the 17th century during the time of Shivaji, who had given wings to the Maratha Empire. Before this time, the god was monumentalized privately in the residences of Hindus. By 1893, Lokmanya Tilak organized the festival into a significant public event to unify the Brahmin as well as non-Brahmin folks.

Residents in Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu typically participate in the Ganesh Chaturthi activities. During this time, believers usually move to larger cities like Mumbai and present prayers along with gifts in the Siddhivinayak Temple. The temple was created and dedicated to Lord Ganesha. On Ganesh Chaturthi, matching vibes with the aura of Ganpati Bappa is excellent. Let’s celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year with our family members and try some delectable sweets and dishes made using A2 Gir Cow Milk and A2 Gir Cow Ghee.

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