The day on which the Ganesh frequencies reached earth for the
first time, that is the day on which Lord Ganesh was born is the fourth day (chaturthi)
of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. Since then, an association
between Ganesh and chaturthi was established.
Video: Installation and Immersion of Ganesh idol
Note: Commentry is in Marathi. Description: What is the importance of Ganesh Chaturthi? Why new idol of Lord Ganesh is established at every year? Information on Siddhivinayak vowed religious observarance and Aarti.
A. Since the frequencies of Ganesh and those of the earth on
the fourth day (chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi) of every fortnight of the Hindu
lunar months match, they are favourable to one another. This implies that on that
date, a greater quantity of frequencies of Ganesh can reach the earth.
B. Chaturthi means the turiyavastha, a state beyond the states
of waking (jagruti), dream (svapna) and deep sleep (sushupti). This itself
is the target of a seeker.
C. The holy text Agnipuran' prescribes the vowed religious observance
(vrat) of chaturthi for acquisition of worldly pleasures and the Final Liberation
(Moksha).
Types of Ganesh Chaturthi:
The fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of each
Hindu lunar month is called Vinayaki and that of the dark fortnight
is called Sankashti.
A. Vinayaki : The ritualistic worship on this
day does not include viewing the moon and worshipping it like sankashti. On
the day of Vinayaki, one fasts the whole day through and ends the fast only
the next day. The deity of this vowed religious observance (vrat) is 'Shri Siddhivinayak'.
Vinayaki is performed for well-being and prosperity.
B. Sankashti : On this day, one should observe
a complete fast 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 performedto overcome this crisis. Ganesh controls
the 360 frequencies. Hence by worshipping Him, one is released from the bondage
of these 360 frequencies.
C. 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. Ganesh
and Mars, both have the same complexion.On the day of Angaraki, the Ganesh frequencies
reach the earthin 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.
Common Practical Questions and Spiritual Clarification
about Ganesh Chaturthi
1. Why there is need for a new Ganesh Idol?
2. What is the proper duration of the rituals according to the scriptures
and local customs?
3. If idol is damaged, what should be done?
4. Why looking at the moon is prohibited on Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi Rituals and their significance
Know about the scientific way to perform Ganesh Puja
(Worship): Click
Here
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Ganesh Chaturthi
Do's and don'ts
