Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Date: The auspicious puja muhurat time will start from 11:01 AM to 01:28 PM on September 19, 2023.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganeshotsav, is an auspicious Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, especially in Maharashtra, and other states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. Lord Ganesh, known as the remover of all obstacles, is worshipped first, among all Hindus and goddesses.
This year, the festival will be observed from September 19 to September 28
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 time: Shubh Muhurat and Tithi
According to the Drik Panchak, the auspicious time to welcome home Lord Ganesh on Chaturthi tithi will start at 12:39 p.m. on September 18, and end at 1:43 p.m. on September 19. The 10-day Ganesh Utsav festival will conclude on September 28 with Ganpati Visarjan.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Date
This year, the auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi celebration will begin on Tuesday Chaturthi celebration will begin on Tuesday, September 19.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: History
It is widely believed that the goddess Parvati created lord Ganesh using the earth which she molded into the shape of a boy. Ganesh was asked to guard the entrance while she took a bath.
When he was protecting the goddess, Lord Shiva came and battled with Ganesha and this resulted in Goddess Parvati taking the form of goddess Kali.
She threatened Lord Shiva to find a solution or she will destroy the entire Universe.
He asked his followers to find a child and behead it, and the first child they found was a baby elephant. Lord Shiva fixed the head and brought Lord Ganesh to life.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi begins from Chturthitithi and ends on Anantha Chaturthi which falls 10-11 days later than Chaturthi Tithi. During the 1890s, when the country was fighting the freedom, Lokmanya Tilak wanted to unite Indians and he found that pooja was the best way to do so. This is when he introduced the practice of public Ganeshotsav celebration. This way, there were Ganesh pandals organized at different locations, and people celebrated the festival.
On the Anantha Chaturthi, the idol was immersed in a water body.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Celebrations
This festival is celebrated locally where pandals are organized for 10 in parts of cities, almost in every building. Households bring lord Ganesha idols at home for one and a half, three, five, seven, or ten days.
Preparations and Rituals
Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi typically begin weeks in advance. Artisans create beautifully crafted clay idols of Lord Ganesha, varying in size and design. These idols are placed in homes, public pandals (temporary structures), or community centers, where people come together to offer prayers and seek blessings.
On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees wake up early, take a bath, and then visit temples or set up their own personal altars at home. The idol of Lord Ganesha is placed on a decorated platform and adorned with flowers, garlands, and various offerings. These offerings include modak (a sweet dumpling), fruits, coconut, jaggery, and other traditional delicacies.
The priest or the head of the household then performs aarti (a ritual of offering light to the deity), sings hymns, and chants prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The atmosphere is filled with joy and devotion as devotees express their gratitude and seek blessings for a prosperous and obstacle-free life.
Immersion Ceremony
The festival spans a specific number of days, usually 1, 5, 7, or 11 days, with the immersion ceremony, also known as Ganesh Visarjan, marking the conclusion of the celebrations. On this day, devotees carry the idol of Lord Ganesha in a grand procession, accompanied by singing, dancing, and drum beats, to a nearby water body such as a river, lake, or ocean.
The immersion symbolizes bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha as he returns to his heavenly abode, taking away the problems and obstacles of his devotees. It is believed that by immersing the idol in water, devotees purify themselves and renew their faith for the coming year.
Social and Environmental Awareness
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about the environmental impact of the traditional way of immersing idols made of non-biodegradable materials. As a result, efforts are being made to encourage the use of eco-friendly idols made from clay, organic colors, and natural materials that do not harm the environment.
Ganesh Chaturthi has evolved to become not only a religious and cultural event but also an occasion that promotes eco-consciousness and responsible celebration.
Conclusion
Ganesh Chaturthi is a vibrant and significant Hindu festival that brings communities together in a spirit of devotion, celebration, and unity. It is a time to seek blessings, offer prayers, and celebrate the wisdom and prosperity symbolized by Lord Ganesha. As the festival continues to evolve, efforts to make it environmentally sustainable contribute to a more responsible and thoughtful celebration of this auspicious occasion.
