Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganpati festival is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and it is celebrated on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad.

Homes wore a festive look with people getting up early in the morning to perform prayers to clay cast Ganesh idols adorned with flowers.

Hundreds of people thronged temples, decorated with flowers and colourful lights, to pray to the elephant-headed Hindu god.

Beautiful and decorated idols of Lord Ganesha have been installed in pandals across the city where devotees offer prayer.

Though it is celebrated all over India, its festivities are at most elaborate in Maharashtra, and the other parts of Western India.

Hindu Mythology says that Ganesh Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion to offer prayer to Lord Ganesh Who removes all obstacles and troubles of devotees.

How to perform Ganesh Chaturthi puja

One needs a clay image or Murti of Lord Ganesha, red and yellow flowers, druva grass blades, a coconut, Modak (jaggeryfilled sweet), sandalwood paste and incense sticks, incense and agarbathis and panchamrit.

Devotees need to clean the house and take a bath. Then install a clay image of Lord Ganeshain a raised platform and pray to Lord Ganesh, reciting mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Then invoke Ganesha into the image by doing pran-prathista and tha mantra for doing pran-prathistha is:

ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam – upamashravastamam |
jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam ||
ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha ||

Now, Lord Ganesha has entered the image so one should light the lamps and perform aarti. Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass, 21 modakas, red and yellow flowers, apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste, break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).

Indians carry an idol of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesha on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. The idol will be immersed in water bodies after worship at the end of the festival. (Photo|AP)

President, Vice President greet nation on Ganesh Chaturthi.

TNN | New Delhi | Sept 5, 2016:: President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi which is being celebrated with great fervour all across the nation today.

In his message, President Mukherjee hoped that Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles on the path of progress and prosperity of the nation. He asked the people to dedicate the day for building a strong and vibrant nation.

Vice President Ansari said that Lord Ganesh is revered as an embodiment of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune in the country.

Read also: Devotees should avoid wrong doings while celebrating Ganesh festival : HJS

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