Ganesh Chaturthi is said to have been celebrated since the days of Maratha rulers: Satavahana, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta. Mainly celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh with a lot of zeal and splendour, Ganesh Chaturthi is the most popular festival of Maharashtra. Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji as a public event to promote traditions and nationalism, this festival was even celebrated by Peshwas to worship Ganapati as their family deity.
The festivities remained a family affair until the festival was revitalised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the late 19th Century, to take the message of freedom struggle to all Indians. This festival brought in a feeling of unity and togetherness in Indians that helped in revival of their patriotic spirit. Through the medium of this festival he brought togetherness.
He stressed on it that Ganesh Chaturthi was a festival for everyone irrespective of the caste or class, and so he organised cultural events like dance dramas, musical nights, and religious gatherings on this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations for ten days gave people of every religion the scope to interact and know each other. It is from that time this festival has been celebrated every year with great spirit all over the country.
How to celebrate?
Ganapti puja is done from two days up to 10days depending upon your own family’s tradition. Ganapati visarjan takes place on the 10 th day which falls on “ Anant Chaturdashi”.
The idol is immersed in the well, lake or sea with proper rituals.
1. House and decoration
A. Importance to Shree Ganesh first, then secondary importance to decoration.
B. Cleanliness, saatvic decoration, so also everybody should collectively prepare for pooja with devotion.
2. Idol
A. Made up of clay and painted with natural colours
B. Seated on a platform
C. Made according to the science of idols
3. Religious rituals
A. Preparation of puja after purification to maintain the sanctity.
B. Everyone should remain present and experience the divine
consciousness.
4. Aarti
A. Selective and with devotionful aarti.
B. Prayer and chanting after aarti.
5. Prasad (offering)
A. Chanting while preparing prasad.
B. Taking prasad in a queue peacefully.
6. Procession
A. Disciplined,with chanting and concluding on time.
7. Immersion
A. According to the science immersion in flowing water.
Legend From Shiv Purana
The most popular legend associated with Lord Ganesha can be found in the Shiv Purana. It says that Lord Ganapati was created out of the dough that Goddess Parvati used for her bath. The Goddess wanted a door-keeper, to prevent the coming of any visitors when she took a bath. So, she created a doll from the dough and breathed life into him. The day she did this came to be known as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, which we today celebrate as Ganesh Chaturthi.
One day, while Goddess Parvati was taking her bath, Lord Shiva happened to visit her. Ganesha did not know him, so he did not allow the Lord to enter the house. This made Lord Shiva angry and he beheaded Ganesha. Later, when he came to know the truth, he fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. With this, the appearance of Lord Ganesha changed and he came to have the head of an elephant.
Legend From Skanda Purana
There is yet another popular legend associated with Ganesh Chaturthi, arising from Skanda Purana. It goes that once Ganesha was invited for a feast in Chandralok. He ate many Ladoos and later, as he got up to walk after the meal, he could not balance himself, because of his huge stomach, and slipped. His stomach burst and all the laddoos came rolling out. Seeing this, the moon could not control himself and began laughing. Ganesha got angry and cursed the moon that it will vanish from the universe.
Because of moon's absence, the whole world began to wane. The gods asked Lord Shiva to get Ganesha to change his mind. The moon also apologized for his misbehavior. Finally, Ganesha modified his curse saying that the moon would be invisible on only one day of a month and would be partially seen on Ganesha Chaturthi. He also added that anyone who watches moon on Ganesha Chaturthi would face a false accusation. This is the reason why, even today, it is considered inauspicious to look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.
हिंदू धर्मात गणपतीला (गणेश फार महत्त्वाचे स्थान आहे. सर्व प्रकारच्या शुभकार्यात सर्वप्रथम गणपतीचे पूजन केले जाते. शिव-पार्वतीचा पूत्र गणपतीला विद्येचे दैवत मानले जाते.
ज्या दिवशी शंकराने गणपतीला हत्तीचे तोंड लावून त्याला जिवंत केले त्या दिवशी गणेशोत्सवसाजरा केला जातो. त्या दिवसाला गणेश चतुर्थी म्हटले जाते. त्यानंतर 11 दिवस चालणारा हा उत्सव अनंत चतुर्थीला गणपतीच्या विसर्जनानंतर संपतो.
महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात आंध्रप्रदेशात हा सण मोठ्या धुमधडाक्यात साजरा केला जातो. भाद्रपद महिन्याच्या चौथ्या दिवशी (साधारणत ऑगस्ट, सप्टेंबर या काळात ) गणेश चतुर्थी येते. घराघरात गणपतीची लहान मूर्ती आणली जाते व 11 दिवस मोठ्या भक्तीभावाने तिची पूजा केली जाते.
या काळात रोज सकाळी व संध्याकाळी त्याच्यापुढे आरती म्हटली जाते. मोदकाचा प्रसाद दिला जातो. अकरा दिवसांनी म्हणजे अनंत चतुर्थीला मूर्तीचे नदीत किंवा तलावात विसर्जन केले जाते. 1892 साली लोकमान्य बाळ गंगाधर टिळकांनी हा गणेशोत्सव सार्वजनिक स्वरूपात साजरा करायला सुरवात केली.
पारतंत्र्याचा काळ असल्याने लोकांनी एकत्र यावे, त्यांच्यात जागृती निर्माण व्हवी हा हेतु त्यामागे होता. सरदार खाजगीवाले यांनी सर्वात प्रथम गणेशोत्सव ग्वाल्हेरला साजरा केला. गणपत घोवडेकर, भाऊ वैद्य, भाऊ रंगारी यांनी गणपतीच्या मूर्तीची प्रतिष्ठपना करुन हा उत्सव साजरा केला.
हे पाहून टिळक यांनी पुण्यात केसरीवाड्यात सार्वजनिक स्वरुपात गणेशोत्सवाची सुरुवात केली. गणेश चतुर्थीला गणपतीची प्रतिष्ठापना केल्यानंतर काही लोक दीड दिवसांनी, काही पाच, सात किंवा अकराव्या दिवशी गणपतीचे विसर्जन करतात.
गणपती बसल्यनंतर पाच दिवसांनी गौरींचे आगमन होते. त्या दोन दिवस राहतात. सातव्या दिवशी त्यांचेही विसर्जन केले जाते. सार्वजनिक मंडळे या काळात आकर्षक देखावे उभारतात.
यात ऐतिहासिक, पौराणिक, सामाजिक देखावे असतात. अनंत चतुर्थीच्या दिवशी वाजत गाजत मिरवणूक काढून गणपतींच्या मूर्तींचे विसर्जन केले जाते.
मूहूर्त पंचांगात पहा.
वस्त्र: पूजा सूरू करण्यापूर्वी आंघोळ करून नवीन वस्त्र परिधान करा.
गंध: कपाळाला गंध लावून पूजा करा.
दिशा: दिवसा पूर्वेला तोंड करून किंवा संध्याकाळी उत्तरेला तोंड करून पूजा करावी.
मूर्ती: गणपतीच्या दोनपेक्षा अधिक मूर्ती घरात ठेवू नये.
प्रदक्षिणा: श्री गणेशाला नेहमी एकच प्रदक्षिणा घालतात. अनेक नाही.
आसन: कुशाचे आसन किंवा लाल उशीच्या आसनावर बसून पूजा करा. फाटलेले किंवा कपड्याचे आसन किंवा दगडाच्या आसनावर बसून पूजा करू नये.
पूजेचे साहित्य: पूजा सूरू करण्यापूर्वी सर्व साहित्य जवळ आणून ठेवा. शुद्ध पाणी एखाद्या पवित्र भांड्यात घ्या.
वस्त्र : हात धुण्यासाठी स्वच्छ कपडा आपल्याजवळ ठेवा. परिधान केलेल्या वस्त्राने हात धुऊ नये.
मूर्ती स्थापना: पूजा सुरू करण्यापूर्वी श्री गणेशाची मूर्ती एखाद्या लाकडाच्या पाटावर किंवा गहू, मूग, ज्वारीच्या धान्यावर लाल कपडा अंथरून स्थापित करा.
Gaanapti Arti Meaning In Marathi and English
Samarth shri Ramdas Swami worte this beautiful Ganesh arti, read ;
सुखकर्ता दु:खहर्ता.
म्हणजे :- (सुख देणारा दुःख हरण करणारा
नुरवी
म्हणजे :-दुःखाचा समुळ नाश करतो.
पुरवी प्रेम कृपा जयाची.
म्हणजे :-त्याची कृपा झाली की प्रेमवर्षाव
भक्ताला लाभ होतो.
Sukhkarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi ll
Oh Lord who provides Joy, takes away Sadness and removes all “vighnas” (obstacles) in life
Nurvi Purvi Prem Krupa Jayachi ll
Who spreads love everywhere as his blessing
Nurvi: Na-urvi means : takes away pain
सर्वांगी सुन्दर उटी शेंदुराची ।।
म्हणजे:- गणेश सर्वांगाने सुंदर आहे.
त्याने शेंदुराची उटी लावली आहे ।
कंठी झळके माळ मुक्ताफळांची ।।१।।
म्हणजे :- त्याच्या कंठात मोत्याची माळ
झळाळत आहे ।।१।।
Sarvangi Sundar Uti Shendurachi ll
Who has lovely “shendur utna”(yellow-orange fragrance paste) all over his body
Kanthi Jhalke Mal Mukataphalaanchi..ll
Who has a necklace of “Mukataphal”(pearls in Sanskrit) around his neck
जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति ।
दर्शनमात्रे मन : कामना पुरती ।।धृ।।
म्हणजे:-हे देवा ,तुझा जयजयकार असो !
तु मंगलाची प्रत्यक्ष मूर्तीच आहेस । तुझ्या केवळ
दर्शनानेच भक्तांच्या सर्व मनोकामना पूर्ण
होतात ।।धृ।।
Jaidev Jaidev Jai Mangal Murti ll
Hail the god, Hail the god, Hail the auspicious idol
Darshan Maatre Man: Kaamna Phurti ll
All our wishes are fulfilled just by “darshan” (looking at the idol)
रत्नखचित फरा तुज गौरीकुमरा ।
म्हणजे:- हे गौरीकुमारा रत्न जडवलेला
मुकुटाचा पुढील भाग तुझ्या कपाळी आहे ।
चंदनाची उटी कुंकुमकेशरा ।
म्हणजे :-कुंकू आणि केशर मिश्रित
चंदनाची उटी तु लावली आहे ।
Ratnakhachit Phara Tujh Gaurikumra ll
Offering you Seat studded with Ratna(jewels) for you “Gaurikumra” (son of Gauri)
Chandanaachi Uti Kumkumkeshara ll
Smearing you with Chandan(Sandalwood) utna(paste) and Kumkum(Red Tilak) on the head
हिरेजडित मुकुट शोभतो बरा ।
म्हणजे :-हिरयानी जडलेला मुकुट तुझ्या
मस्तकावर शोभून दिसत आहे.
रुणझुणती नूपुरे चरणी घागरिया ।।२।।
म्हणजे :-तुझ्या पायांतील वाळ्यांतील
घूंगरां चा रुणझुण असा मंजूळध्वनी होत आहे ।।२।।
Hirejadit Mukut Shobhato Bara ll
Diamond studded crown suites you right
Runjhunati Nupure(2) Charani Ghagriya ll
Whose anklets tingle in his feet
लंबोदर पीतांबर फणिवरबंधना ।
म्हणजे :-मोठे पोट असणारया ,पीतांबर
नेसलेल्या, कमरेला नागाचे बंधन (कडदोरा )
असलेला.
सरळ सोंड वक्रतुंड त्रिनयना ।
म्हणजे :- सरळ सोंड व वाकडे तोंड असणारया,म्हणजे वक्रमार्गाने (वाईट मार्गाने
चालणारे व बोलणारे अशांना शिक्षा करुण
त्याना सरळ मार्गावर आणणारया, त्रिनयना
(३ नेत्र असणारया ).
Lambodar Pitaambar Phanivarvandana ll
Lambodar Who wears Pitaambar(yellow cloth worn by men during puja)
“Lambodar” - from the long - ‘lambo’, tummy - ‘udar’ , who wears a golden belt.
Saral Sond Vakratunda Trinayana ll
Who has Straight trunk and is Vakratunda and Trinayana [with 3 eyes]
“Vakratunda”one who breaks the ego of he who behaves anti-socially (’Vakra’ ).
दास रामाचा वाट पाहे सदना ।
म्हणजे :- हे गणपते मी रामाचा दास
( समर्थ रामदासस्वामी ) माझ्या घरी मी तुझी
आतुरतेने वाट पहात आहे.
संकटी पावावे, निर्वाणी रक्षावे सुरवरवंदना ।।३ ।।
म्हणजे :- हे सुरवरवंदना - सर्वश्रेष्ठ देवां कडून वंदिल्या जाणारया हे गजानना, सर्व
संकट प्रसंगी तु मला प्रसन्न हो. माझा संभाळ
कर.
निर्वाणी - अखेरीच्या, देहत्यागाच्या वेळी
तु माझे रक्षण कर ही तुझ्या चरणी नम्र प्राथना .
Das Ramacha Vat Pahe Sadana ll
I am waiting for you in my “Sadana” [ Samarth Ramdas home) just like the slave(used as devotee) of Lord Rama
Sankati Pavave Nirvani Rakshave ll
Please help us and protect us during bad times
Survarvandana ll
Salutations
-समर्थ रामदास स्वामी.
((संदर्भ :- आरतीसंग्रह अर्थासह सनातन लघुग्रंथ )).
लक्षात ठेवा 'संकटी' पावावे संकष्टी नाही
Sukhkarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi ll
Oh Lord who provides Joy, takes away Sadness and removes all “vighnas” (obstacles) in life
Nurvi Purvi Prem Krupa Jayachi ll
Who spreads love everywhere as his blessing
Nurvi: Na-urvi means : takes away pain
Sarvangi Sundar Uti Shendurachi ll
Who has lovely “shendur utna”(yellow-orange fragrance paste) all over his body
Kanti Jhalke Mal Mukataphalaanchi..ll
Who has a necklace of “Mukataphal”(pearls in Sanskrit) around his neck
Jaidev Jaidev Jai Mangal Murti ll
Hail the god, Hail the god, Hail the auspicious idol
Darshan Maatre Man: Kaamna Phurti ll
All our wishes are fulfilled just by “darshan” (looking at the idol)
Ratnakhachit Phara Tujh Gaurikumra ll
Offering you Seat studded with Ratna(jewels) for you “Gaurikumra” (son of Gauri)
Chandanaachi Uti Kumkumkeshara ll
Smearing you with Chandan(Sandalwood) utna(paste) and Kumkum(Red Tilak) on the head
Hirejadit Mukut Shobhato Bara ll
Diamond studded crown suites you right
Runjhunati Nupure(2) Charani Ghagriya ll
Whose anklets tingle in his feet
//Jaidev…
Lambodar Pitaambar Phanivarvandana ll
Lambodar Who wears Pitaambar(yellow cloth worn by men during puja)
“Lambodar” - from the long - ‘lambo’, tummy - ‘udar’
Saral Sond Vakratunda Trinayana ll
Who has Straight trunk and is Vakratunda and Trinayana
“Vakratunda”one who breaks the ego of he who behaves anti-socially (’Vakra’ )
“Trinayana” the son of the 3 eyed (Lord Shiva)
Das Ramacha Vat Pahe Sadana ll
I am waiting for you in my “Sadana” (home) just like the slave(used as devotee) of Lord Rama
Sankati Pavave Nirvani Rakshave ll
Please help us and protect us during bad times
Survarvandana ll
Salutation
//Jaidev\\