Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and prosperity. This ten-day festival is steeped in rich history and deep symbolism, and its celebrations are observed with great enthusiasm across the country. From the auspicious timing to the story behind its origin and the way it is celebrated, here's all you need to know about Ganesh Chaturthi 2024.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Ganesha
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav, is a revered Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom and prosperity. Celebrated annually, this ten-day festival holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in India and beyond.
Origin and Symbolism
According to legend, Lord Ganesha was born to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. As a symbol of purity, divinity, and wisdom, Lord Ganesha is often depicted with a large head, a potbelly, and an elephant trunk. His four arms signify knowledge, strength, prosperity, and action.
Ganesh Chaturthi symbolizes new beginnings and the celebration of life's joys. It is believed that worshipping Lord Ganesha at this auspicious time brings good fortune, removes obstacles, and grants blessings.
Celebrations
During Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees install clay or plaster idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes, temples, and public pandals (temporary shrines). The idols are decorated with vibrant colors, flowers, and ornaments.
Daily prayers (pujas) are performed, accompanied by devotional music and chanting of mantras. Offerings of sweets, fruits, and flowers are made to Lord Ganesha. The festival reaches its grand finale on the tenth day, known as Anant Chaturdashi, when the idols are immersed in rivers, lakes, or seas.
Historical Significance
The origins of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is credited with initiating the public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi as a symbol of unity and resistance against the Mughal Empire.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated? Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Hindu month of Bhadra (August-September).
2. What is the auspicious timing for Ganesh Chaturthi puja? The most auspicious time for starting Ganesh Chaturthi puja is during Abhijit Muhurta, which typically falls around noon.
3. How long does Ganesh Chaturthi last? Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations span ten days, from the installation of idols to their immersion.
4. What are some common offerings made to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi? Devotees offer sweets such as modaks, fruits like bananas, and flowers like hibiscus.
5. Where is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated most grandly? The largest and most famous Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations take place in Maharashtra, India, especially in Mumbai and Pune.
On Sunday, at the age of 83, veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad after a prolonged illness. With over 750 films to his credit, Rao was a towering presence in Telugu cinema and his unique style and unmatched flair captured the hearts of audiences. Fellow actor Megastar Chiranjeevi paid tribute to him, reflecting on their shared beginnings and highlighting Rao's versatility and irreplaceable presence in the industry.
After being found guilty in a 2001-2006 rape case, self-proclaimed 'godman' Asaram has been sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. This is the second such conviction for the 81-year-old who is already serving a life sentence for a 2013 Rajasthan minor girl rape case. Asaram, who had amassed a Rs 10,000 crore empire with over 400 ashrams, rose to fame as a religious preacher with a large following of politicians and businessmen, but his spiritual quest eventually led him down a path of disgrace.
Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, known for his versatility and powerful presence, has passed away at the age of 83. With over 750 films in a career spanning more than four decades, Rao was one of the respected actors in the industry. He was also honoured with India's fourth-highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian cinema. The Telugu film industry is in mourning over the loss of this iconic actor.
The film industry and cinephiles are mourning the loss of Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad at the age of 83. With a career spanning over five decades and over 750 films across multiple languages, he has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His colleagues and fans, including Chiranjeevi and SS Rajamouli, have paid heartfelt tributes to the versatile actor.
In a big blow for Indian cricket team, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will not take the gloves on Day 2 of the Lord's Test after failing to completely recover from a hit he took to his left index finger. Though he continued to play briefly before leaving the field, Pant's injury was clearly visible as he winced in pain while receiving treatment from physios. With Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wickets, as confirmed by BCCI, adding pressure for the young player to perform on his debut in an already crucial match. India will hope the injury is not serious and Pant, who was in great form in the first two Tests, will return to the field and strengthen their batting line up.
India's cricket captain Shubman Gill got involved in a heated argument with England's opening batsmen Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley during their test match at Lord's. The tension flared up on the third day's play when England seemed to be trying to waste time to avoid facing more than 1 over before Stumps. The incident happened as Gill's team wanted their fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to get a chance to bowl before the end of the day. Gill didn't hold back from showing his displeasure and confronted the English openers, with other Indian players also joining in on the argument. The day ended with England at 2/0, giving them a two-run lead, and the incident is surely going to add more spice to an already intense series.
The trailer for Rohit Padaki's film Ekka, starring Yuva Rajkumar, was released on July 11 and has since received a lot of love and appreciation from netizens. The trailer showcases the journey of Yuva's character Muthu from a simple life in his village to the underworld of Bengaluru. Fans have praised the stylish visuals and the improved performance of Yuva compared to his debut film. Some have expressed concern about the familiar plot, but overall, the trailer has generated a lot of hype and excitement for the film's release on July 18. Fans are even requesting early morning shows for the film, making it a highly anticipated entertainment option for Sandalwood fans.
Soha Ali Khan shares the advice her mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, gave her about maintaining a successful marriage. The advice centers around taking care of each other's egos and emotions. Other actors, including Neha Dhupia, also share similar advice. In the same interview, Soha also opens up about her mother's struggle to balance work and family life. Loving relationships require constant work and compromise.
In an episode of the podcast Game Changers, renowned director Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares his writing process and inspiration for his upcoming film Animal. He reveals that he wrote the script during the chaos of the pandemic and does not have a specific writing process, as he is not a professional writer. The interview provides unique and captivating insights into the creative mind of the director.
Abhinav Arora, a 10-year-old prodigy and spiritual orator, has captured the hearts of millions with his devotion to Lord Krishna and Radha. Through his YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook page, he shares spiritual content and teachings from Hindu scriptures, gaining over 9.5 lakh followers. His fluent delivery of discourses in Hindi, Sanskrit, and English has gained him recognition and accolades, including being named India's youngest spiritual orator by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.