Ganesh Chaturthi Overview: Ganesh Chaturthi is a significant Hindu festival celebrated annually in India during the months of August and September. This 10-day festival honors the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Prosperity. Throughout the celebration, clay idols of Lord Ganesha are prominently displayed in homes, temples, and public pandals. The festival begins in the Hindu lunisolar month of Bhadrapada, typically falling between August and September, on the fourth day of the month. Communities across India celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with great fervor and enthusiasm. If you’re looking to observe Ganesh Chaturthi at home, here’s a guide on how to do it:
Essential Items for Ganesh Puja: To perform Ganesh Puja, you'll need the following items: Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idol, Chowki (platform), Red Cloth (Asan), Chandan Tikka, Durva Grass, Janeu, Gangajal, Camphor, Kumkum Roli, Betel Nuts (Supari), Moli, Fresh Flowers, Fruits, Sweets, Modak, Panchamrit, Panchmeva, Aarti Book, Diya, Cotton Wicks, Puja Bell, Incense Sticks or Cones, Dhoop, Kalash, Whole Coconut, Paan Leaf, Haldi (Turmeric Powder).
Preparation: Start by placing the Ganpati idol in your home for morning and evening worship. Prior to bringing the idol home, consider cleansing the entire house and gathering the family to warmly welcome Lord Ganesha.
Pooja Vidhi (Rituals):
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Place the Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idol on a raised platform draped with a Red Cloth.
- Place the Palavelli with fresh fruits/ brass fruit hangings
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Light a ghee diya (lamp) to commence the puja.
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Invite Lord Ganesha into your home and offer him a seat, praying for his blessings.
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Offer fresh flowers to Lord Ganpati.
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Wash the feet of Lord Ganesha’s idol with Gangajal (sacred water).
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Tie a Roli thread around the right hand of the Ganesha statue.
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Prepare Panchamrit with milk, sugar, curd, ghee, and honey to offer to Lord Ganpati.
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Drink the Panchamrit with your left hand as a form of prasadam.
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Cover the upper body of the Ganpati idol with a decorative cloth.
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Apply Chandan Tikka, offer Camphor, Durva, and Janeu to Lord Ganesha, and light a ghee diya and incense stick.
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Offer bhog (food offering) to Lord Ganpati, including sweets, Modak, and fruits.
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Place Whole Coconut, Supari, Paan, Haldi, Kumkum, and Camphor on a Puja Thali and present them to Lord Ganesha.
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Optional: Offer currency notes.
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Sing and recite the Ganesha Aarti, stand, and turn around clockwise. Offer flowers and bow before Lord Ganpati.
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Seek forgiveness for any mistakes made during the puja.
Shubh Muhurat and Key Timings:
- Festival: Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi
- Significance: The Birth of Lord Ganesha
- Date: Saturday, September 07, 2024
- Tithi Starts: 06 September at 11:03 AM
- Tithi Ends: 07 September at 1:34 PM
- Ganesh Puja Shubh Muhurat 2024: 11:03 AM to 1:34 PM on 07th September
- Avoid Moon Sighting: 09:30 AM to 08:45 PM on 06 September
Ganesh Visarjan Timings on Ganesh Chaturthi: (Auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat Timings)
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Visarjan Day: Thursday, 07th September 2024
- Afternoon Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita): 01:34 PM to 05:01 PM
- Evening Muhurat (Labha): 06:35 PM to 08:01 PM
- Night Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 09:27 PM to 01:45 AM, 08th September 2024
- Early Morning Muhurat (Labha): 04:37 AM to 06:03 AM, 08th September 2024
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Visarjan After One and Half Day: Sunday, 08th September 2024
- Afternoon Muhurat (Chara, Labha): 01:52 PM to 03:26 PM
- Evening Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 06:34 PM to 10:53 PM
- Night Muhurat (Labha): 01:45 AM to 03:11 AM, 09th September 2024
- Early Morning Muhurat (Labha): 04:37 AM to 06:03 AM, 09th September 2024
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3rd Day Visarjan: Monday, 09th September 2024
- Morning Muhurat (Amrita): 06:03 AM to 07:37 AM
- Morning Muhurat (Shubha): 09:11 AM to 10:44 AM
- Afternoon Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita): 01:52 PM to 06:33 PM
- Evening Muhurat (Chara): 06:33 PM to 07:59 PM
- Night Muhurat (Labha): 10:52 PM to 12:18 AM, 10th September 2024
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5th Day Visarjan: Wednesday, 11th September 2024
- Morning Muhurat (Shubha): 10:44 AM to 12:17 PM
- Afternoon Muhurat (Chara, Labha): 03:24 PM to 06:31 PM
- Evening Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 07:57 PM to 12:18 AM, 12th September 2024
- Early Morning Muhurat (Labha): 03:11 AM to 04:38 AM, 12th September 2024
- Morning Muhurat (Labha, Amrita): 06:04 AM to 09:11 AM
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7th Day Visarjan: Friday, 13th September 2024
- Morning Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita): 06:05 AM to 10:44 AM
- Afternoon Muhurat (Chara): 04:55 PM to 06:28 PM
- Afternoon Muhurat (Shubha): 12:17 PM to 01:50 PM
- Night Muhurat (Labha): 09:23 PM to 10:50 PM
- Night Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 12:17 AM to 04:38 AM, 14th September 2024
What is an Eco-Friendly Ganesha, and What is the Concept Behind Eco-Friendly Idols?
The Concept: On Ganeshotsav, also known as Ganesh Visarjan Day, devotees traditionally immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha in a river, sea, or other natural water bodies. However, this practice can lead to significant environmental pollution, especially in urban areas where river and sea access is limited. Immersing idols made of non-biodegradable materials contributes to water pollution and harms aquatic ecosystems.
Inviting Ganpati Bappa into our homes on Ganesh Chaturthi should be a joyous occasion, but it’s important to ensure that the way we send Bappa back does not harm the environment. This is where the concept of an Eco-Friendly Ganesha Idol comes into play. These idols, made from natural, biodegradable materials, allow for an environmentally responsible celebration of the festival. They can be easily immersed at home, without the need to travel to a distant river or sea, and without causing ecological harm.
Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idols: Eco-Friendly Ganesha statues are crafted from 100% biodegradable materials like Shadu Mati Clay, which easily dissolves in water. The natural colors used are also eco-friendly and decompose harmlessly in water. These idols are widely produced across India, with skilled artisans from Maharashtra and West Bengal being particularly renowned for their craftsmanship.
