Ganesh Chaturthi
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Puja Muhurat, Vrat Vidhi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival celebrated by Hindus. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is also known as 'Vinayaka Chavithi'. He is worshiped as the God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. This year, the auspicious occasion is falling in the month of September and will be celebrated from 13 to 23.
Puja Muharat for 10 days:
13 September
Afternoon- 1:30 pm to 3:21 pm
Evening- 4:53 to 9:21 pm
14 September
Morning- 3:13 to 6:09 am
Afternoon- 12:16 to 1:48pm
Evening- 4:52 to 6:24pm
15 September
Morning- 7:41 am to 9:13 am
Afternoon- 12:16 pm to 4:51 pm
Evening- 6:23 pm to 7:51 pm
Night- 9:19 pm to 1:45 am (September 16)
16 September
Morning- 4:42 am to 6:10 am
17 September
Morning- 6:11 am to 7:42 am and 9:13 am to 10:44 am
Afternoon- 1:47 pm to 7:49 pm
Night- 10:47 pm to 0:16 am
18 September
Morning - 1:45 am to 6:11 am
19 September
Morning- 6:12 am to 9:13 am and 10:44 am to 12:15 pm
Afternoon- 3:16 pm to 6:18 pm
Night- 7:47 pm to 0:15 am
20 September
Morning- 3:14 am to 4:43 am
23 September
Morning- 7:43 am to 12:13 pm
Afternoon- 1:43 pm to 3:13 pm
Evening- 6:13 pm to 10:43 pm
Ganesh Visarjan
For all the days, Lord Ganesha is worshiped by indulging in Ganpati pooja, songs and aarti in the evening. Devotees bring home idols of Ganesha and worship him on all the days. On the last day of the festival, which is known as Ganesh Visarjan, the idol is taken for immersion in a river or sea.
Fasting
The devotees who fast on this 10-day festival get up early in the morning for a bath. After wearing fresh clothes, they worship the idol with aartis and mantras and offer sweets to Lord Ganesha to seek his blessings.
The devotees can opt for nirajal vrat (waterless fast) or the phalahar vrat. Apart from fruits, sabudana khichdi, curd and rice, the devotees can eat sweets including ladoo, gajak and rewari. The followers strictly prohibit from consuming non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
Ganapati puja at home
Lord Ganesha is worshiped with sixteen rituals. The prayers are followed by “Puranik Mantras”, which are chanted during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja. The rituals include:
Avahana
This is the first ritual of Ganesh Puja. The aim is to invoke the lord before installing the idol at home. Fold your hands and chant the following mantra.
He Heramba Tvamehyehi Hyambikatryambakatmaja।
Siddhi-Buddhi Pate Tryaksha Lakshalabha Pituh Pitah॥
Nagasyam Nagaharam Tvam Ganarajam Chaturbhujam।
Bhushitam Svayudhaudavyaih Pashankushaparashvadhaih॥
Avahayami Pujartham Rakshartham Cha Mam Kritoh।
Ihagatya Grihana Tvam Pujam Yagam Cha Raksha Me॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Avahayami-Sthapayami॥
Pratishthapan
After the invocation, the idol of Lord Ganesha is installed. Chant the following mantra.
Asyai Pranah Pratishthantu Asyai Pranaksharantu Cha।
Asyai Devatvamarchayai Mamaheti Cha Kashchana॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Supratishtho Varado Bhava॥
Asana Samarpan
After installing the idol, five flowers are offered to the Lord. Chant the following mantra while doing so.
Vichitraratnakhachitam Divyastaranasamyutam।
Swarna Simhasanam Charu Grihana Guhagraja॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Asanam Samarpayami॥
Padya Samarpan
Asana Samarpan is then followed by Padya Samarpan. The Lord’s feet are washed with the holy water and following mantra is chanted.
Om Sarvatirthasamudbhutam Padyam Gandhadibhiryutam।
Gajanana Grihanedam Bhagawana Bhaktavatsalah॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami॥
Arghya Samarpan
Arghya Samarpan means offering the scented water to Lord Ganesha. While doing this, chant the following mantra.
Om Ganadhyaksha Namasteastu Grihana Karuna Kara।
Arghyam Cha Phala Samyuktam Gandhamalyakshatairyutam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Hastorarghyam Samarpayami॥
Achamana
Offer water to Lord Ganesha for Achamana and chant this mantra.
Vighnaraja Namastubhyam Tridashairabhivandita।
Gangodakena Devesha Kurushwachamanam Prabho॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Mukhe Achamaniyam Samarpayami॥
Snana Mantra
After Achamana, water is offered to Lord Ganesha for bathing. Chant the following mantra while doing this…
Narmada Chandrabhagadi Gangasangasajairjalaih।
Snani Tosi Maya Deva Vighnasagham Nivaraya॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Sarvanga Snanam Samarpayami॥
Panchamrita Snanam
After Snanam, the mixture of milk, curd, honey, Ghee and sugar is prepared and offered to the Lord while chanting following mantra.
Panchamritam Mayaaanitam Payodadhi, Ghritam Madhu।
Sharkara Cha Samayuktam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Payah/Dugdha Snanam
Now give bath to Lord with milk and chant this mantra.
Kamadhenusamudbhutam Sarvesham Jivanam Param।
Tejah Pushtikaram Divyam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Dadhi Snanam
After Dugdha Snanam, give bath to Lord with curd and chant following mantra.
Payasastu Samudbhutam Madhuramlam Shashiprabham।
Dadhyanitam Mayadeva Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Ghrita Snanam
Now give a bath with Ghee and chant following mantra.
Navanita Samutpannam Sarvasantoshakarakam।
Ghritam Tubhyam Pradasyami Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Madhu Snanam
This means giving bath with honey. While doing this, chant...
Pushparenusamudbhutam Suswadu Madhuram Madhu।
Tejah Pushtikaramdivyam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Sharkara Snanam
Giving bath with sugar is referred to as Sharkara Snanam. The following mantra is chanted while performing Sharkara Snanam.
Ikshusarasamudbhutam Sharkara Pushti Da Shubha।
Malapaharika Divya Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Suvasita Snanam
After Sharkara Snanam, now give a bath with scented oil and chant...
Champakashekabakula Malati Mogaradibhih।
Vasitam Snigdhatahetu Tailam Charu Pratigrihyatam॥
Shuddhodaka Snanam
After Suvasita Snanamive, give a bath with pure water which is also referred to as 'Gangajal'. Chant the following mantra.
Ganga Cha Yamuna Chaiva Godavari Saraswati।
Narmada Sindhuh Kaveri Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Vastra Samarpan
Vastra Samarpan means offering new clothes to Lord Ganesha. Moli, a holy thread, is offered as Vastra Samarpan and following mantra is chanted.
Shitavatoshna Santranam Lajjaya Rakshanam Parama।
Dehalankaranam Vastramatah Shanti Prayachchha Me॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Vastram Samarpayami॥
Uttariya Samarpan
Now offer clothes for Lord's upper body parts and while doing so, chant...
Uttariyam Tatha Deva Nana Chitritamuttamam।
Grihanendram Maya Bhaktaya Dattam Tat Saphali Kuru॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Uttariya Samarpayami॥
Yajnopavita Samarpan
Now offer Yajnopavita while chanting the following mantra.
Navabhistantubhiryuktam Trigunam Devatamayam।
Upavitam Mayadattam Grihana Parameshwara॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Yajnopavitam Samarpayami॥
Gandha
Again, offer scent to Lord Ganesha and chant…
Shri Khanda Chandana Divyam Gandhadhyam Sumanoharam।
Vilepanam Surashreshtha Chandanam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Gandham Samarpayami॥
Akshata
Akshata means unbroken rice. After Gandha, offer Akshata to Lord Ganesha while chanting following mantra.
Akshatashcha Sura Shreshtha Kumkumalah Sushobhitah।
Maya Nivedita Bhaktaya Grihana Parameshwara॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Akshatan Samarpayami॥
Pushpa Mala
Offer garland to Lord Ganesha while chanting following Mantra.
Malyadini Sugandhini Malyadinivai Prabhuh।
Maya Hritani Pushpani Grihyantam Pujanaya Bhoh॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Pushpamalam Samarpayami॥
Shami Patra
Offer Shami Patra while chanting following Mantra...
Tvatpriyani Supushpani Komalani Shubhani Vai।
Shamidalani Heramba Grihana Gananayaka॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Shami Patrani Samarpayami॥
Durvankur
Offer Durva with three or five leaflets and chant...
Durvankuran Suharitanamritan Mangala Pradan।
Anitanstava Pujartha Grihana Gananayaka॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Durvankuran Samarpayami॥
Sindoor
Now offer sindoor (vermilion) for Tilak while chanting following Mantra.
Sindoor Shobhanam Raktam Saubhagyam Sukhavardhanam।
Shubhadam Kamadam Chaiva Sindooram Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Sindoor Samarpayami॥
Dhoop
After sindoor, offer Dhoop to Lord Ganesha and chant the following mantra…
Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandhah Uttamah।
Aghreya Sarva Devanam Dhupoayam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Dhupamaghrapayami॥
Deep Samarpan
The next step is to offer Deep and while doing so, chant the following mantra.
Sajyam Chavartisamyuktam Vahnina Yojitam Maya।
Deepam Grihana Devesha Trailokyatimira Paham॥
Bhaktya Deepam Prayachchhami Devaya Paramatmane।
Trahimam Nirayad Ghoraddipajyotirnamoastute॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Deepam Darshayami॥
Naivedya
Now offer Naivedya and chant the following mantra.
Naivedyam Grihyatam Deva Bhakti Me Hyachalam Kuru।
Ipsitam Me Varam Dehi Paratra Cha Param Gatim॥
Sharkara Khanda Khadyani Dadhi Kshira Ghritani Cha।
Aharam Bhakshya Bhojyam Cha Naivedyam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Naivedyam Modakamayarituphalani Cha Samarpayami॥
Chandan Karodvartan
Now offer chandan, mixed with water and chant the following mantra
Chandanam Malayodbhutam Kasturyadi Samanvitam।
Karodvartanakam Deva Grihana Parameshwara॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Chandanena Karodvartanam Samarpayami॥
Tambula Samarpan
Tambula means paan with betel nuts. Offer this and chant...
Om Pugiphalam Mahadivyam Nagavallidalairyutam।
Ela Churnadisamyuktam Tambulam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Mukha Vasarthamela Pugi Phaladi Sahitam Tambula Samarpayami॥
Narikela Samarpan
Now offer Coconut while chanting following Mantra.
Idam Phalam Mayadeva Sthapitam Puratastava।
Tena Me Saphalavaptirbhavejjanmani Janmani॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Narikela Phalam Samarpayami॥
Dakshina Samarpan
This means offering some gifts to the Lord. While doing so, chant...
Hiranyagarbhagarbhastham Hema Bijam Vibhavasoh।
Ananta Punya Phaladamatah Shantim Prayachchha Me॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Dravyam Dakshinam Samarpayami॥
Neerajan
Perform Lord Ganesha's Aarti after chanting…
Kadali Garbha Sambhutam Karpuram Tu Pradipitam।
Arartikamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varado Bhava॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Karpura Neerajanam Samarpayami॥
Pushpanjali Arpan
Now after Aarti, offer flowers to the Lord and chant...
Nanasugandhi Pushpani Yatha Kalodbhavani Cha।
Pushpanjalirmaya Datto Grihana Parameshwara॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Mantra Pushpanjali Samarpayami॥
Pradakshina
Pradakshina means circumambulate from left to right of Lord Ganesha while chanting the following mantra…
Yani Kani Cha Papani Jnatajnata Kritani Cha।
Tani Sarvani Nashyanti Pradakshina Pade Pade॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Pradakshinam Samarpayami॥
Visarjan
You conclude the prayer with Visarjan while chanting following Mantra.
Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Tavarchanam।
Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Ganeshwara॥
Anyatha Sharanam Nasti Tvameva Sharanam Mam।
Tasmatkarunya Bhavena Rakshasva Vighneshwara॥
Gatam Papam Gatam Dukham Gatam Daridraya Meva Cha।
Agata Sukha Sampattih Punyachcha Tava Darshanat॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwara।
Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurnam Tadastu Me॥
Yadaksharapada Bhrashtam Matrahinam Cha Yadbhavet।
Tatsarva Kshamyatam Deva Prasida Parameshwara॥
The story of the Ganesh visarjan
September 13, 2018: The Times of India
Ganesha Chaturthi 2018: What is the story behind the tradition of Ganesh visarjan?
Story of Ganesha Ganesha Chaturthi is the festival celebrating the rebirth God Ganesha. The elephant-headed God has an interesting story. He was created in a completely human form by the Goddess Parvati. She moulded him from clay or the earth from her own body (versions vary) and gave it life. She then tasked him to stand by the door of her palace as she bathed and not let anyone in. When her own husband, the great God Shiva tried to enter the human form barred his path. Shiva was furious at being denied entry into his own home and an awesome battle followed. Shiva won the battle and beheading Ganesha. But he immediately felt guilty and he knew his wife would be furious. So he sent his men to bring back the head of the first creature they came across. They met an elephant with one tusk who happily sacrificed his head for the honour.
Shiva bought Ganesha back to life and thus his story is considered one of rebirth and regeneration. Ganesha was made the head of Shiva's followers, the Ganas, hence his name, Ganpati. He is worshiped as a bringer of luck and prosperity. He was also the God to help the Devs and humans in the preservation of balance by bringing obstacles to block the progression of evil and removing obstacles from the paths of goodness.
How Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the anniversary of the day Ganesha was revived in his elephant-headed form. Around this time there is a huge celebration where believers 'bring' Ganesha into the house, or temple, or Pandal (temporary shrine) as a guest in the form of an idol. He is worshipped with elaborate rituals for 10 days, so as to invoke his blessings and when his stay is over, the statue is ceremoniously immersed in a water body. This is called visarjan.
Why is Ganesh Visrjan done?
The ritual is done to signify the birth cycle of Lord Ganesha; just as he was created from clay/Earth, his symbolic statue is as well. The idol is immersed in water so that Ganesha may return to his home after his ‘stay’ at the devotees’ home or temple where the Ganesha Chaturthi rituals are conducted. While it might seem like a good idea to skip the visarjan and keep hosting the God for fortune and prosperity, it is said that the power that suffuses the statue after 10 days of worship is all a human can bear. So it is not to be kept longer.
Since discarding or breaking would be disrespectful, the statue is ritualistically immersed in the water so it may break down to the clay from whence it came. Some statues are prepared as such that its constituent materials actually benefit the ecosystem they enter.
However in recent years the immersion of Ganesha idols made of non-biodegradable materials and the use of poisonous substances in the paints has led to pollution of water bodies and takes away from the positive symbolism and impact of the ritual. As we pray to Lord Ganesha, we must remember to do so responsibly.
Popular Ganpati songs
September 13, 2018: The Times of India
“Ganpati Bappa Morya! Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa!” we all have been hearing this for a very very long time. Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated grandly all over India Specially in Maharashtra. Mumbai and Pune are the centers of attraction during this period. Be it a celeb or a person below poverty line everyone celebrates this festival praising Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Utsav celebration was started by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak 125 years ago just to unite people in pre-British period. The festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. In Mumbai, huge pandals are created where the entire community collects to pay their respects to their revered God. It is celebrated in different style all around, wherein the music, songs, dhol play a major part. Let's have a look at some of the hit Ganpati songs below
1. Morya Morya
This super hit song from the Marathi movie 'Uladhaal' will surely give you goosebumps while you listen to it. It became so famous that there is no Ganeshutsav in Mumbai or Pune that is celebrated without this song. Sung and composed by the famous duo Ajay-Atul this song has super awesome lyrics that describe the greatness of Lord Ganesha and it has a wonderful instruments and dhol. The song features Makrand Anaspure, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Jadhav, Ankush Choudhary, Siddharth Jadhav, Madhura Velankar, Aditi Sarangdhar, Subodh Barve. This song is a classic hit and cannot imagine of celebrating the festival without playing it.
2. Sur Niragas Ho
This ultimate hit from the Marathi movie 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusli' depicts the pre-British era. this song is sung by the great singer Shankar Mahadevan & Anandi Joshi and composed by Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy. Lyrics given by Mangesh Kangana has a Ganesh Stuti in very beautiful words. This musical drama directed by Subodh Bhave is a musical drama and has a perfect music. This Ganpati song will definitely take you in the Ganesh Utsav trance and make you engrossed it has that level of music. Hence this song shouldn't be missed.
3. Deva Ho Deva
This song from the movie 'Bhikari' is sung by Sukhwinder Singh & Divya Kumar, features Swwapnil Joshi and Ganesh Acharya. Music by Milind Wankhede and lyrics are by Vikky Nagar & Prasanna Deshmukh. This song is pictured in the somewhat modern setting of a Ganeshutsav with amazing dance steps that will surely make you tap your feet on. This song is especially played during the Agaman and Visarjan day of the Ganpati festival.
4. Gajananaa
Another wonderful track praising Lord Ganesha from the movie 'Lokmanya Ek Yugpurush' has the vocals of the legendary singer Shankar Mahadevan and Composed by Music Director Ajit - Sameer. It featured Subodh Bhave in as Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak. This song tells us the story of how this legend in the pre-independence first brought in the concept of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi to unite people. It clearly throws the light on his motives to attain Swarajya, by initiating this social event. This song is worth listening.
5. Ya Re Ya
This melodious track is from the movie 'Ventilator' it has vocals of Rohan Pradhan, composed Rohan, Rohan, and lyrics by Manoj Yadav & Shantaram Mapuskar. Mixed and Mastered by Vijay Dayal. Rhythm Session Players: Sachin Bhangre, Satyajeet Jamsandekar, Rahul Roopavate, Aadesh More, Karan Patil, Karan Kadam, Pratik Kawale. Dhol Tasha Pathak: Vandan. This song presents us the typical live clips from the Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai and Pune. It has short clips from Lalbaug cha Raja, Ganesh Galli, etc. The dhol beats can't keep you off from getting on the floor and doing that Ganpati dance.
