There are 330 million deities in Hindu (Sanatan) Dharma, each one of them owing their responsibility to make it worth living for human beings. They are worshipped in different forms and shapes by people. Some are considered and worshipped as Kul Devi or Kul Devta ( deity of their family). In all of them, Lord Ganesha is the Pratham pujya, which means worshipped ahead of all the other deities. He’s the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most revered deities in the country. Prior to the start of any pious work, Hindus offer prayers and try to please him. It’s believed that any work started with his name always prospers and bring peace to the life.
The Wisdom Lord
Ganesha or Ganpati means the head of the deities. And there’s a tale behind this honour given to him. Once there was a competition among all the deities that who’s the best of all. It was decided that whoever comes first in taking a complete round of the Earth would be adjudged, winner. Everybody had powerful animals as their vehicles while Ganesha had a mouse. No one considered him a competition. But he applied his wisdom and detoured around his parents instead of the Earth. His brother stood winner with his vehicle peacock from the rest. But Ganesha was adjudged supreme as he said the entire universe is beneath the feet of the parents. Detouring around them was way more than revolving around the Earth. Everyone then praised his idea and chose him as the Ganapati.
Another story behind it is that Lord Shiva beheaded Lord Ganesha’s head (which was full of ego and vices) and later on replaced it with an elephants head after realising him as his son, who was protecting his mother Parvati (wife of Shiva). He then declared him as the most superior deity.
Festival Chaturthi
You can find references for the celebration of Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi in an India travel blog or an India travel guide. It’s a 10-day long festival which is celebrated across India with fervour and enthusiasm. It’s the biggest festival of Maharashtra, which boasts of several tourists places in India.
Ganesh Chaturthi begins on the fourth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada ( as per Hindu calendar). People welcome the Lord into their homes by bringing his idols and establish them for 1 day to 10 days like their family member. They worship him and offer sweets and delicious foods each day. Folks decorate their homes with lamps, lanterns, flowers, garlands and adorn their worship room with beautiful clothes.
Pandals and celebrations
From veterans to young ones, irrespective of their gender can be seen excited with the homecoming of the Lord. They play loud music, dance on the drum beats, play with colours and recite hymns and prayers. Several religious organization set up pandals at short distances for the darshan of Lord Ganesha. People visit these pandals and seek blessings to keep all their obstacles, problems and vices away. They pray to the lord to give them peace, wisdom and prosperity in their lives.
With such things to do in India, it brings the nation together. Foreigners search for India travel destinations to enjoy these festivities.
