GANESH CHATURTHI : THE PARV OF GANESHA

Ganesha the son of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati (also known as Ganpati and Vinayak) is one of the best known and most worshipped Gods in the Hindu Pantheon . He is the God of new beginnings ,success and wisdom also known as the remover of obstacles. In India, every new work is started with the worship of Lord Ganesha. Devotion to Ganesha is widely spread and extends to Jains and Buddhists . His favourite food item is modak. His favourite means of transport is his mouse .

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most prosperous festivals in India that reverberates Divinity, Joy and Splendour. On thinking about this festival the aroma of modaks, the beautiful Idol of lord Ganesha comes to our mind and fills us with great Excitement and joy. So here we are  with some interesting facts about Lord Ganesha that you have not read before.

  Vighnaharta , Lord Ganesha is also worshipped outside India!

 Didn’t knew about that? Check this out.  He is also worshipped in countries like Thailand , Cambodia, China, Japan, Nepal and Afghanistan too . But his depiction differ from one region to the other from the Indian Avatar .

 CHINA-  They worship a diety called ‘Kangi Ten’. They are two elephant headed figures embracing each other.

INDONESIA-  He makes his appearance on Indonesia’s Rs.20,000 currency note .

CAMBODIA- They worship a God called ‘PRAH-KENES’.

 

The first Ganesha Chaturthi celebration dates back to the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ganesh Chaturthi was first celebrated when the Chalukya , Satvahana and Rashtrakuta dynasties ruled between 271BC and 1190 AD . Lord Ganesha was considered as their kuladevata or family diety.

It’s considered unlucky to look at the moon during Ganesh Chaturthi .

According to Hindu Mythology , here is the katha :

Lord Ganesha was riding atop his vahan , mooshik, the mouse while returning from a feast. On seeing a snake the mouse while returning from the feast . On seeing a snake the mouse dropped Lord Ganesha . Due to the impact of the fall, his belly burst open and the feast split out . Ganesha gathered all the called laddoos and modak, put it back in his belly . He then tied the snake around his belly to hold it . The moon, Chandra watched this and burst out laughing . Enraged by this ,Ganesha broke his tooth and threw it  on the moon . He cursed the moon that he can never shine again . The moon later sought forgiveness and the curse was undone . But till today , looking at the moon during Ganesh Chaturthi is still considered a bad omen. 

Lord Ganesha’s 12 names are : Sumukh, Ekdanta, Kapil, Gajakarnak, Lambodar, Vikat, Vighnnashan, Vinayak, Dhumraketu, Bhalchandra , Gajanan and Ganesh .

Ganpati Bappa Morya!