Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most prominent festivals in India and is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 06th. This 10-day festival, dedicated to the birth of Lord Ganesh, is celebrated with fervor throughout the country. People meticulously perform the worship and rituals of Lord Ganesh in their homes and pandals (temporary structures).
Installing the idol of Lord Ganesh in one's home is considered auspicious during Ganesh Chaturthi. Before the puja (worship), the idol is consecrated with rituals, and then offerings such as flowers, fruits, and modak (a sweet delicacy) are made to Lord Ganesh.
Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival with your family this year. Join in the grand festivities and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesh.
History of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a popular Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. The 10-day festival begins on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month Bhadrapada, which typically falls in August or September.
The origins of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to the 16th century when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj instituted public Ganesh festivals to galvanize political support against the Mughal Empire. The festival gained popularity across India during the freedom struggle as leaders like Lokmanya Tilak championed it to unify people. Since then, Ganesh Chaturthi has become one of the most enthusiastically celebrated festivals in India.
Lavish public pandals featuring large Ganesh idols are installed, and thousands flock to offer prayers and seek blessings. The festivities culminate with the immersion of idols in water bodies on the tenth day. Ganesh Chaturthi brings people together in celebration of Lord Ganesha and their cultural heritage.
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Date
When is the Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024: Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the waxing phase of the Bhadrapada month every year. This festival usually occurs in the months of August or September. It is typically celebrated for a period of 10 days, with the grandest procession taking place on the final day, known as Anant Chaturdashi. In 2024, the date of Ganesh Chaturthi will be September 06th.
The Importance of Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is a highly significant festival in Indian culture. The special significance of this festival is as follows:
- This festival is celebrated in honor of the birth of Lord Ganesh, who is the first deity to be worshipped among Hindu gods.
- Lord Ganesh is considered the remover of obstacles and the bringer of auspiciousness. Worshiping him is believed to fulfill all desires.
- Starting new ventures or endeavors on Ganesh Chaturthi is considered auspicious because Lord Ganesh is seen as the deity of success and progress.
- On this day, people perform puja (worship) of Lord Ganesh in their homes, with family members coming together to partake in the rituals.
- Cultural programs and events are organized during Ganesh Chaturthi, fostering social unity.
Therefore, Ganesh Chaturthi holds great significance from both a religious and a social perspective. It is a sacred festival that should be celebrated with enthusiasm.
The Story Behind Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 2024
According to tradition, it is forbidden to gaze at the moon on the day of Ganesh Puja for a certain period of time. It is believed that if someone sees the moon, they will be accused of theft and subjected to societal disgrace unless they recite a specific mantra.
This belief stems from an incident involving Lord Krishna, who was wrongly accused of stealing a valuable gem. Sage Narada suggested that Krishna had seen the moon on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month (the day on which Ganesh Chaturthi falls), leading to the curse being placed upon him
Ganesh Puja Utsav 2024: Date and Auspicious Time
On September 06th, 2024, it will be auspicious to bring the idol of Lord Ganapati (Ganpati Bappa). Here are the auspicious Choghadiya timings for this occasion:
Midday Ganesh Puja Muhurat - From 11:03 AM to 01:34 PM - Duration - 2 hours and 31 minutes
Start of Chaturthi Date - September 06th, 2024, at 03:01 PM
End of Chaturthi Date - September 07th, 2024, at 05:37 PM
Ganesh Visarjan (Immersion) - Monday, September 16th, 2024
The Important Ganesh Mantra
वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटी समप्रभ ।
निर्विध्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ।।
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada ||
Meaning of the verse:
O Lord Ganesh, we consider you supremely worthy of worship. O mighty Lord with a curved trunk, who possesses the brilliance of countless suns, and who is pure and divine, bringing joy to all, we salute you, the Lord of all deities.
Help me overcome all my obstacles, and I believe that you will always protect me. O my Lord, I trust that you will keep me safe from all adversities forever.
What is the Significance of Lord Ganesh Chaturthi?
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi holds special meaning as it honors the beloved Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The observance is deeply rooted in a captivating mythological tale from Ganesha’s childhood. Young Ganesha was assigned to guard his mother Parvati’s bath and forbid anyone entry. When Lord Shiva himself tried to enter, Ganesha loyally blocked him. Frustrated, Lord Shiva regretfully severed Ganesha’s head. Distraught over the tragic loss, Goddess Parvati passionately pleaded for Ganesha's life to be returned to him. This poignant narrative is central to Ganesh Chaturthi, emphasizing Ganesha’s profound devotion and the significance of his distinctive elephant head.
To revive Ganesha, Lord Brahma lovingly replaced his severed head with that of an elephant, forever memorializing him as the benevolent elephant-headed deity. Ganesha’s distinct image with an elephant head has become his defining attribute, instantly recognizable to devotees. More than his singular appearance, Ganesha is revered for his divine ability to remove impediments and clear the path toward success, prosperity, and new beginnings.
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi allows devotees to joyfully commemorate Lord Ganesha’s mythic revival while seeking his holy blessings. The observance provides an occasion to profess enduring devotion to the benevolent elephant-headed deity. Through their spiritual connection with Lord Ganesha during the festivities, individuals feel empowered to surmount obstacles on life’s journey. Ganesh Chaturthi inspires people to reflect on Ganesha’s teachings and rededicate themselves to living with wisdom, patience, and an open mind.
How To Celebrate The Grand Lord Ganesh Utsav Festival?
- Install a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesh in your home or a public place.
- The Prana Pratishtha consecration ceremony is traditionally performed to infuse the idol with divine vitality, followed by the detailed 16-step Shodashopchar Puja ritual.
- On Ganesh Chaturthi, offer fruits and flowers like bananas, mangoes, pomegranates, or jackfruits to Lord Ganesh.
- Begin by filling a kalash (holy pot) with clean water.
- Add a betel nut, a coin, turmeric powder, and five betel leaves to it.
- Apply turmeric tilak (mark) on the coconut and betel leaves.
- Keep rice grains on betel leaves and place a coin on the betel leaf.
- Chant the Ganesh Mantra.
- The puja starts with the installation of the deity's idol.
- Spread the five betel leaves.
- Place a betel nut on each leaf and apply turmeric.
- Uncover the idol of Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Adorn Him with a crown, garland, bangles, and clothing.
- Offer 21 durva grass blades, 21 modak (a sweet delicacy), and 21 flowers to Lord Ganesh. The number 21 signifies the five sense organs, five motor organs, five vital airs, five elements, and the mind.
- Apply red sandalwood paste on Lord Ganesh's forehead on Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Prepare the aarti plate with a lamp, incense, and fragrant items.
- Perform the aarti with devotion and recite the aarti songs.
- Offer 108 lamps and recite the Ganesh Upanishad or aarti.
- Sing 'Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh' hymns.
- Finally, seek Lord Ganesh's blessings to fulfill all your wishes.
- On this Ganesh Utsav, consider booking an online Ganesh Puja with rituals and ceremonies.
Prohibition of Moon Sight on this day
It is believed that devotees should avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. Viewing the moon on this day is considered to bring false accusations or a false blemish, signifying wrongful allegations of theft.
According to mythological stories, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing a valuable gem called Syamantaka. Upon learning about Lord Krishna's situation, Sage Narada informed him that he had seen the moon on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month, resulting in a curse of false accusation.
Sage Narada explained to Lord Krishna that he had been cursed with false accusations by Lord Ganesh. Anyone who incurs this curse will face disgrace and humiliation in society. To mitigate the effects of this curse, Sage Narada suggested that Lord Krishna observe the fast of Ganesh Chaturthi.
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How is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated in 2024?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days, starting on the fourth day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada, which typically falls between mid-August and mid-September. Preparations begin weeks in advance with the making of elaborate clay idols of Lord Ganesha.
On the first day, these idols are installed in homes or publicly in large tents called pandals. Puja is performed by priests or heads of households to infuse life into the idols. Devotees sing bhajans, offer prasad, and pray for blessings. The festival atmosphere is lively and festive, with crowds thronging pandals decorated with flowers and lights. Cultural activities like plays, music, and dance performances related to Hindu mythology are held.
In Maharashtra, devotees also participate in community dance processions called dindi. On the eleventh day, grand processions accompany the idols to be immersed in nearby water bodies while chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukariya”. The immersion marks Ganesha's farewell until his return next year.
Ganesh Chaturthi Across the Globe: A Multinational Celebration 2024
Though Ganesh Chaturthi has its origins in India, this major Hindu festival has now become a global celebration, with Hindu communities all over the world commemorating it as an opportunity to venerate Lord Ganesha and reconnect with their cultural roots.
In Nepal, the festival is called Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Utsav, spanning about a month with various processions and rituals. Devotees across Trinidad, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, and other regions with large populations of Indian origin commemorate the event with public festivities that bring people together.
The UK and US also host sizable Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, with cultural activities at temples that draw the Indian diaspora as well as interested non-Hindus to experience the observances. The Paris Ganesh Festival is a lively event featuring a parade of Ganesha idols accompanied by traditional music and dance.
In Indonesia, Hindu Balinese worshippers visit Ganesha shrines and seek blessings on the occasion. Likewise, wherever Hindus have settled around the world, from Australia to Dubai, Ganesh Chaturthi has become an important connective tradition.
As a multinational celebration, the festival allows the Hindu diaspora to maintain spiritual and cultural ties to their roots. It reinforces a sense of community and reminds devotees worldwide that they are united in honoring Lord Ganesha and all he represents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 promises to be a spiritually enriching and joyous occasion. Knowledge of the date, auspicious time, and puja muhurat is essential for devotees to ensure that they can celebrate this auspicious festival with utmost devotion and adherence to tradition. As we come together to welcome Lord Ganesha into our homes and hearts, may this divine festival bring blessings, prosperity, and unity to all. Let us cherish the rich traditions, rituals, and sense of community that Ganesh Chaturthi embodies, and may the grace of Lord Ganesha continue to guide us in our endeavors throughout the year.
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FAQs
What is the Date of Ganpati 2024?
Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024 will be celebrated on September 06th. This Hindu festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is observed with great enthusiasm and devotion in various parts of India.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the beloved Hindu deity with the elephant head. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesh Chaturthi honors Lord Ganesha as the benevolent deity of fresh starts and the eliminator of impediments, as well as the god of intellect and wisdom. The festival is celebrated fervently across India, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Goa.
How can I make Lord Ganesha happy?
During Ganesha puja, devotees should offer the Lord wet rice to please him and receive blessings for their wishes. It is also considered auspicious to present Ganesha with ghee and jaggery, especially on Wednesdays, as these are foods that delight him.
What time should I do Ganesh puja at home?
The optimal time for performing Ganesha Puja is during Madhyana Kaala, the auspicious period lasting 2 hours and 31 minutes between 11:03 AM and 01:34 PM on September 06th. This Shubh Muhurat offers the most favorable timing to revere Lord Ganesha, affectionately called 'Vighnaharta' - the remover of obstacles which is deeply cherished by devotees.
