Ganesh Chaturthi 2018

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Currently, Ganesh Chaturthi day falls in the month of August or September in English calendar.

The Ganeshotsav, the festivity of Ganesh Chaturthi, ends after 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi which is also known as Ganesh Visarjan day. On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees immerse an idol of Lord Ganesh in water body after a gala street procession.

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

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 a false accusation of stealing something. Depending on start and end time of Chaturthi Tithi, the sighting of the moon might be prohibited for two consecutive days. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesh Chauth.

Lord Ganesha is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. Worshipping Gods and Goddesses with all 16 rituals is known as Shodashopachara Puja (षोडशोपचार पूजा).

Deep Prajawalan (दीप प्रज्ज्वलन) and Sankalpa (संकल्प) are done before starting the Puja and these two are not part of core sixteen steps of Shodashopachara Puja.

If you have Lord Ganesha installed at your home and is worshipped daily then Avahana (आवाहन) and Pratishthapan (प्रतिष्ठापन) should be skipped as these two rituals are done for newly bought statues of Lord Ganesha either made of clay or made of metal. It should be noted that pre-installed statue of Lord Ganesha at home are not given Visarjan (विसर्जन) but given Utthapana (उत्थापन) at the end of Puja.

Shodashopachara Puja

1. Avahana (आवाहन) – invoking Lord Ganesha
2. Pratishthapan (प्रतिष्ठापन) – installing Lord Ganesha into the statue
3. Aasan Samarpan (आसन समर्पण) – offering seat to Lord Ganesha
4. Arghya Samarpan (अर्घ्य समर्पण) – offering scented water to Lord Ganesha
5. Aachaman (आचमन)
6. Snan (स्नान)
   1. पञ्चामृत स्नानम्
   2. पयः स्नानम्
   3. दधि स्नानम्
   4. धृत स्नानम्
   5. मधु स्नानम्
   6. शर्करा स्नानम्
   7. सुवासित स्नानम्
   8. शुध्दोदक स्नानम्
7. Vastra Samarpan (वस्त्र समर्पण वं उत्तरीय समर्पण)
8. Yagyopavit Samarpan (यज्ञोपवीत समर्पण)
9. Gandha (गन्ध)
10. Akshata (अक्षत) – unbroken rice for Puja
11. Pushpa Mala (पुष्प माला)
12. शमी पत्र
13. दुर्वान्कुर
14. सिन्दूर
15. Dhoop (धूप)
16. Deep Darshan (दीप दर्शन)
17. Naivedhya Nivedan (नैवेद्य निवेदन)
    1. चन्दन
18. Tambula Arpana (ताम्बुल अर्पण) – offering Paan made of betal nut and leaves
    1. नारिकेल अर्पण
    2. दक्षिणा समर्पण
19. Neeranajan (नीरानजन/आरती) – Lord Ganesha Aarti

On Ganesha Chaturthi, devotees also perform Eka Vinshati Name Ganesh Puja and Lord Ganesha Anga Puja along with the above Shodashopachara Puja.

Refer Ganesha Chaturthi Puja Vidhi for full details.