Happy Ganesh Chaturthi - September 6th 2024 to September 17th 2024 | History, Images, Pics, SMS, Messages

Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chavithi, is an auspicious Hindu festival that is celebrated for 10 days every year as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls from September, 6th, 2024 to 17th 2024. 

A popular Ganesha mantra that invokes Lord Ganesha’s blessings:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Dev Sarv-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa ||

Ganesh Chaturthi History

Ganesha is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. According to the mythology, Lord Ganesha was created by Parvati out of dirt from her body to guard her in the absence of Shiva. She gave him the task of guarding her bathroom door while she took a bath.

In the meantime, Shiva returned home and Ganesha, who didn't know who Shiva was, stopped him. This angered Shiva and he severed Ganesha's head after a tiff between the two. Parvati was enraged when she came to know about this; Lord Shiva, in turn, promised to get Ganesha back to life. 

The devas were sent to search for a child's head facing north but they could only find an elephant's head. Shiva fixed the elephant's head on the child's body, and that how Ganesha was born.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Prohibited moon sighting

On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees are advised not to see the moon. It is believed that one who sees the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank, which means false accusation of stealing something.

Rituals of Vinayaka Chavithi

The Ganesha idols are installed in beautifully decorated 'pandal' at homes, temples, or localities. The statue is also decorated with flowers, garlands, and lights.

People celebrate by singing or playing religious songs, dancing to drum beats, and lighting up fireworks.

Ganpati Visarjan, a ceremony wherein the statue is now immersed in water. While carrying the statue to the sea and while immersing it, people generally chant in the Marathi language 'Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya' which means 'Goodbye Lord, please come back next year'.

Ganesha is known as the God of wealth, sciences, knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity, and that's why most Hindus remember him and seek his blessings before starting any important work.