Indian Festivals

Vinayak Chaturthi on 04 Aug 2019 (Sunday)

On this day, Lord Ganesha took birth and fasting is the means to pay respect to this sacred deity. Lord Ganesha vibrations stretch out on the earth the first time on this day. The outcome of this fast is analogous to its nomenclature. It not only signifies the accomplishment of the longings but also the end of an impediment in life by the most wanted deity named "Lord Ganesha”. As imperative from the fact that before commencing of any work, this God is revered.

An insight into various Chaturthi:

There are 12 Chaturthi of which the most prosperous considered to be are which falls in Magh, Shravan, Bhadrapada, and Margashirsha. Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha, every month. Vinayak Chaturthi fast is on Ganesha Janam Utsav.

According to Hindu writings, the fourth day of the bright fortnight of each lunar month is referred to as "Vinayaki” and of the dark fortnight is "Sankashti”.

Vinayaki: It is represented by the God "Shri Siddhivinayak”. One keeps fast for the whole day and open it the next day. Watching Moon is not recommended on this day. It is for success, good luck, and growth.

Sankashti: Fasting should be for the whole day. In the evening after a bath, one should make preparations for the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganesh. In the night after looking at the moon, either an idol of Ganesh or a betelnut placed on a mound of consecrated rice (akshata) symbolic of Ganesh, should be worshipped with sixteen substances (shodashopchar puja). Twenty-one rounds (avartans) of the Atharvashirsha should be recited. One should pay obeisance to the moon after giving an offering and sprinkling sandalwood paste (gandha), flowers and consecrated rice in its direction. On the day of chaturthi, the offering should be made in a circular shelving metal dish (tamhan). One should eat only after the holy sacrament which consists of five delicacies (mahanaivedya) is offered. The deity of this vowed religious observance is 'Shri Vighnavinayak'. Sankashta means sankat (crisis). The 360 frequencies which are emitted from the core of the earth surround us and thus slow down the body processes. This itself is called a 'sankat'.In the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month, these 360 frequencies are more active. This obstructs the flow of energy through the channels (nadis) in our body. Sankashti is performed to overcome this crisis. Ganesh controls the 360 frequencies. Hence by worshipping Him, one is released from the bondage of these 360 frequencies.

Angaraki : The Chaturthi which falls on a Tuesday is called Angaraki. Angar means the planet Mars (Mangal) or earth(bhumi). Ganesh is the presiding deity of Mars just as he is of the earth. On the day of Angaraki, the Ganesh frequencies reach the earth in greater quantities and those from the Mars too reach the earth. Consequently, most of the frequencies emitted from the moon are destroyed. Hence the benefit obtained by performing 'angarika vinayaki' and 'angarika sankashti' is equivalent to that obtained by performing all the vinayakis and sankashtis respectively, throughout the year. Angaraki unlike other vowed religious observances (vrat) is not performed throughout the day and night. It is an observance lasting for five prahars (one prahar is a period of about three hours), four during the day and one at night. According to the ritual, a meal should be taken at moonrise. Thus that meal becomes a part of the ritual and is not partaken to conclude the fast.

Way of doing the Vinayak Chaturthi Fast and Pooja:

It is way comprehensive in nature alike others. Prerequisite conditions are neatness and dedication for it to perform. On an auspicious day, the person has to come alive early, bathing with White Til is to be conducted but before sunrise than scavenge the house with Ganga Jal to make it pious. A Kalash with blessed water with some rice is to be deployed. Than start idolizing Lord Ganesha which is made up of clay with fragrance of sticks, grass, lamp, mostly red flowers, navedy, Jal, modak, coconut, Druva glass blades, sandalwood paste, agarbatis, etc in the early hours and recite this mantra "ऊँ गं गणपतये नम:".

First, splash some rice grains and flowers on the idol. Then wash the feet of the idol followed by hands with rice and sandal water. Next idol has to be bathed with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. After rinsing with water the idol should be rubbed by clothes and then placed. Now the red sandal is to be applied to the idol and offer garland, sandal, rice, holy water, durva grass etc. Reciting 108 names of Ganesha with Siddhi Vinayak Vratha Katha seems to be performed than to invoke the sacred diety. At last, Aarti is to be conducted.

21 Ladoos are to be prepared in pure ghee. 11 ladoos plus pooja stuff with the idol of the deity is to be given to Pandit Ji and rest of the ladoo with you. Number 21 implies five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital organs, five elements, and the mind. In the whole consecrate exercise what is most important is devotion, flexibility regarding method or material is allowed.

Red color has its day so either doles the red color costume on the deity or if not possible then must donate red color attire.

Ganesha Chaturthi……Importance:

As Ganesha is known for taking away all the hindrances and considered to be auspicious for any new startup so on this Ganesha Chaturthi it is said that Ganesha blessings (frequency) coupled with the frequencies of earth and quantity of frequency i.e. blessing increases on this day.

Chaturthi signifies "turiyavastha”. A state of being beyond waking, dream and deep sleep which everybody wants to attain.

It is the day when you can get Final Liberation i.e Moksha and accomplish all the dreams.

Time of Celebration….Festival:

Alike other festival celebration it is also celebrated with utmost ecstasy, happiness, love, and compassion. A pure and typical Maharashtrian fete but also observed in other parts of the country. People yanked out of their houses, thronged in the streets and roads, reciting the slogans with due respect, sparkle the fragrance of flowers and other pious material, played spiritual songs especially for the Ganesha, kudos to the God and at last wrap up by swallowing up the idol Lord Ganesha on Anant Chaturthi.

Lord Ganesha…..Powers:

Also called Vighan Harta or Karak of knowledge. Everyone should greet the idol of Lord Ganesha by putting it on the main door. This deity is also famous for helping in the accomplishment of all the tasks. For Shubh Muhurta it is placed in the house. Narrate 108 names of this God subsequently with Ganesha Stotra is considered to be propitious. Enemies of human-like stress, tension, laziness, envious and others fear from this God so revering it means the end of all the evil spirits. Devoid of marriage just remember this God and hear the wedding bells ringing for you soon. It fulfills everybody desires.