This spectacular festival honoring the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesha, popularly revered for its ability to break down barriers and bring happiness.

Late August or early September, according to the cycle of the moon. It falls on the fourth day after the new moon of the Hindu month Bhadrapada. In 2011, Ganesh Chaturthi, September 1. It is celebrated for 11 days (ending 12 September), with the greatest performance on the last day is called Ananta Chaturdasi days.

Lord Ganesh

How Ganesh Chaturthi is Celebrated

The festival begins with the installation of huge Ganesha statutes carefully designed the houses and the catwalks, which has been specially designed and beautifully decorated. Sat efforts craftsmen months to make the statues. It is forbidden to look at the moon on the first night, when the legend is the moon laughed Lord Ganesha as he fell from his vehicle, the rat. Ananta Chaturdasi on (last day), they are the parade of statues in the streets, accompanied by song and dance well, and then immersed in the sea or other water bodies. In Mumbai, more than 150,000 statues submerged every year!

What are the rituals are performed during the Ganesh Chaturthi

When the statue of Lord Ganesh is installed, the ceremony is committed to invoke his holy presence as part of the statue. This ritual is called Puja Pranapratishhtha, during which a number of mantras are spoken. This special worship is performed. Products of candy, flowers, rice, coconut, Jaggery and coins are made for God’s statue is also lubricated with a red powder Chandan. Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha on a daily basis during the festival. Temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha also organizes special events and prayer. Those who have a statue of Ganesha in their house to treat and care for him so much loved guest.

Why are statues of Ganesh immersion in water at the end of the festival

Hindus worship idols or statues of their gods, as it gives visible form to ask. They also recognize that the universe is in a constant state of change. Finally gives away form to the formless. But energy is still there. The immersion of the statues in the ocean or other bodies of water and subsequent destruction of them is a reminder that faith.