Ganesh Chaturthi 2023

Ganesh Chaturthi is a religious festival of Hindu dedicated to, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Celebrations of this festival are carried out for 10 days and it is believed that during this time Lord Ganesha arrives on earth with his mother, Goddess Parvati, and showers his blessings on the people. Idols of Lord Ganesha are placed in homes, temples, and pandals which are worshiped for ten days. On the tenth day, the idols are immersed in water which marks the end of the festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 will be celebrated Tuesday, 19th September.

Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Bhadrapada month. It usually falls in the month of August or September if seen in a Gregorian calendar. The best timing for Ganesh Chaturthi puja is believed to be during madhyahna which will begin from 11:01 AM and last up to 01:28 PM on September 19. The last day of the puja, i.e., visarjan will be on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Festival	Ganesh Chaturthi
Also known as	Vinayaka Chaturti, Chouthi, vinayaka chavithi, Ganeshotsav, Ganpati, Vinayagar Chaturthi
Ganpati 2023 Date	19th September
Day	Tuesday

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha is the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and intelligence and is also the remover of obstacles. He is known and worshiped by 108 different names like Ganpati, Vignharta, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Ekdant, Vikata, etc., all of which characterises his attributes. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to bring new beginnings and it is also believed that praying to Lord Ganesha can remove all obstacles from the life of people and they can achieve wisdom and intelligence by the grace of the lord. With this belief, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by devotees all over the country.

History of the Ganpati Festival

The known history of the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to Shivaji. It is said that Shivaji started a public Ganesh festival in the capital city of Pune during the month of Bhadrapada came to be known as Shivaji Ganesha Chaturthi. During British rule, the festival lost its charm for a while and was limited to being celebrated at home only. The celebration was again revived by the Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023, people place idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and begin the pooja with the pranapratishtha (a ritual to invoke life in the idols), followed by shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute).

Offerings are made to the lord in form of flowers, durva, karanji, modaks, coconut, jaggery, etc. Modaks are believed to be the favorite food of Lord Ganesha and therefore it is a custom to offer him modak during the Ganesha Chaturthi puja. Mantras and hymns are recited in praise of Lord Ganesha and His blessing is sought in form of health, wealth, and wisdom.

Many people also observe a fast on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi. Apart from homes, idols are also established in pandals and temples and puja is carried out which is joined by thousands of devotees.

The tenth day of the festival is the day of Visarjana (immersion of Ganesha idols in water) and is known as Anant Chaturdashi. Processions are carried out with the idols of Lord Ganesha and a large number of people join the procession by singing and dancing. The idol is immersed in any nearby water body and when the idol dissolves completely, it is believed that Lord Ganesha has returned to Kailash and joined Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

It is said that when the idol of the Ganesha is taken out for immersion, all the obstacles of the house also come out with it. The obstacles are destroyed when the idol is immersed in the water at the time of visarjan.

Ganapati Sthapana and Ganapati Puja

Ganesh Puja is preferred during Madhyahna as it is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahna Kala. Madhyahna Kala is equivalent to midday according to the Hindu division of the day.

As per Hindu timekeeping, the time duration between sunrise to sunset is divided into five equal parts. These five parts are known as Pratahkala, Sangava, Madhyahna, Aparahna, and Sayankal. Ganapati Sthapana and Ganapati Puja on Ganesha Chaturthi are done during the Madhyahna part of the day and as per Vedic astrology, it is considered the most appropriate time for Ganesha Puja.

During midday, Ganesha devotees perform detailed ritualistic Ganesha Puja, known as Shodashopachara Ganapati Puja.

Prohibited Moon Sighting on Ganesha Chaturthi

It is believed that one should not sight the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. Sighting the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank (कलंक) which means false accusation of stealing something.

As per Puranic legends, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing a precious jewel named Syamantaka. After seeing the plights of Lord Krishna, Sage Narada informed that Lord Krishna sighted the moon on the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and because of that he has been cursed with Mithya Dosha.

Sage Narada further informed Lord Krishna that God Chandra has been cursed by Lord Ganesha and that anyone who sighted the moon on Shukla Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month would be cursed with Mithya Dosha and would be tainted and dishonored in the society. On the advice of the sage, Narada Lord Krishna observed Ganesha Chaturthi fasting to get rid of Mithya Dosha.

FAQs

When will the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration start?

Ganesh Chaturthi is all set to be celebrated from September, 19.

When is Ganesh Visarjan 2023?

September 28, 2023

Is Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesha’s birthday?

Yes, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.