Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Introduction

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India with great fanfare. It was born thanks to the Indian freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak who wanted the British government to allow the functioning of Hindu public gatherings. Since it is such an important festival, let’s teach our kids why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated! It is centred around the Hindu god Ganesh who is believed to be Shiva and Parvati’s, first son. On this day, Hindus worldwide erect a pandal (temporary pavilion) and pay obeisance to Lord Ganesh. The festival took birth in Pune and is very popular amongst south Indians. Lord Ganesh is said to be the remover of obstacles. He is decked with flowers, worshipped and adored in multiple ways today. 

Everyone’s festival – Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

The best method to honour Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi is to buy an unpainted clay idol. There is a lack of awareness about the environment, which has led to a spate of chemical pollutants being immersed and inserted into lakes and surrounding areas. The more aware people are about the environment, the better it is for Lord Ganesh. This is why various NGOs have rallied for the cause of a safe Ganesh Chaturthi for one and all.

Like Diwali, during which plenty of bursting firecrackers, it is a famous festival where pollutants are shoved into the atmosphere. Care must be taken to keep our environs clean, and we must move towards a greener and healthier Ganesh festival and learn how to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi keeping in mind why do we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. 

Today, households are filled with scrumptious meals where an assortment of laddoos and modaks are prepared. Today, devotees love gorging on sweets and puddings (like payasam in south India). Various cultural programmes are conducted across neighbourhoods where devotees erect shamianas (marquees) to appease their Lord. There is a lot of life and love during the festival week, with families bonding over good food and following processions in various parts of their cities. It is a day etched into every Indian’s mind as Ganesh is beloved to all, at least in some measure. The smell of incense wafts into living rooms as mothers and fathers prepare their children for a small pooja (worship).

Worshipping with the heart – How to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi!

The dip is the end. Each Ganesh idol is carefully moved into neighbourhood water bodies, with beating drums, dancing and a boisterous gathering. He is prized as a remover of obstacles, so as he moves along the roads, he is moving into unexplored areas where there are yet to be fathomed. The drive in the truck is a metaphor for progressing through life. One goes through life with various sights and sounds, different habits and lifestyles, various likes and dislikes, and emerges second to none. The idol is immersed into the water body, and He gets dissolved – this metaphor for burning the ego, vanquishing the limited sense of self and moving beyond the earthly. 

During the Chaturthi, children love eating sugary foods. Their loved ones give them sweetmeats and payasam. While it is good to be in a celebratory mood, care should be taken so that kids do not overeat. This Chaturthi, celebrate the goal of life! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you all!