Ganesh Chaturthi is the most popular festival in Maharashtra. During Ganesh Chaturthi Ganeshas mother Gauri and son are welcomed, consecrated and worshipped together. The idol of Goddess Gauri is brought home and placed nest to Ganesh with a lot of enthusiasm.

Before the idol of Gauri enters the home, Gauri’s footsteps are drawn with kumkum and then married women bring Her into the house. Some families bring the idol of Goddess Gauri. Some keep the photograph of Gauri and some keep the Kalash (copper vessel/pot) and the face of the Goddess is made with coconut. The Kalash contains barks of 5 different trees and then consecrated with mantras, with which Goddess’s Avahaan is done and She comes and resides. Next to the Goddess is another Kalash which represents Lord Shiva. So we have the whole family together with Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri and their son Shri Ganesh.

Goddess Gauri stays for one and half days. Naivedya (fruits, cooked food and sweets) are offered and Aarti is done as per Vidhi (performing rituals based on the Panchang or the right and auspicious timings).

Friends and Families gather together to worship and enjoy the presence of Ganesh and Godess Gauri in their home for few days. Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh festival ends on Anant Chaturdashi with heavy heart, all feel sad at the  time of Visarjan / immersion of Ganesh / Ganapti and Gauri. But Ganapti - Lord Ganesh promises to return again the following year and every time the devotees long for Him. Ganapati Bappa Morya!! Pudhchya varshi lavkar ya! Ganapati gele gavala, Chain pane na aamhala !

7 things we can do to make this an Eco-friendly Ganpati - Ganesh Utsav

Modak - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet for this Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganapati Aarti  - Lyrics of Sukhkarta Dukhharta Aarti.  A beautiful Ganapati Aarti / Bhajan for Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturti to worship Ganapati, Lord Ganesh.

Ganesh Chaturthi - Video of Sukhkarta Dukhharta Aarti for this Ganesh Chaturthi

Sukh karta dukhharta
Varta vighnachi
Noorvi poorvi prem krupya jayachi
Sarwangi sundar utishendurachi
Kanthi jhalke maad mukhta padhanchi

Jai dev jai dev
Jai mangal murti
Darshan marte maan kamana purti
Jai dev jai dev

Ratnakhachit Phara Tujh Gaurikumra
Chandanaachi Uti Kumkum ke shara
Hire jadit Mukut Shobhato Bara
Runjhunati Nupure Charani Ghagriya

Jai dev jai dev
Jai mangal murti
Darshan marte maan kamana purti
Jai dev jai dev

Lambodar Pitaambar Phanivar vandana
Saral Sond Vakratunda Trinayana
Das Ramacha Vat Pahe Sadna
Sankati Pavave Nirvani Rakshave Survar vandana

Jai dev jai dev 2
Jai mangal murti
Darshan marte maan kamana purti
Jai dev jai dev

Also for this Ganesh Chaturthi try your hands on preparing Ganapati’s most favourite sweet - MODAK (for strangers to the concept these can be called - “steamed rice dumplings with sweet filling”). It is customary to make Modaks on the very first day of Ganesh Utsav. Modaks are so tasty, delicate and tender and like they say “you cant eat just one…” So prepare Ganapatis Favourite sweet Modak for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Modak - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet for this Ganesh Chaturthi

Read our blogs on Ganesh Chaturthi

7 things we can do to make this an Eco-friendly Ganpati - Ganesh Utsav

Genesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Utsav is a very popular Hindu festival, celebrated every year in a grand manner in Maharashtra and all the states of India. Ganesh Chaturthi means the birthday of Lord Ganesha and the day is recognized for most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September) and is observed, worshiped  throughout India, as well as by committed Hindus in all parts of the world.

Ganapati - Lord Ganesha is described and depicted as a God with the elephant head, in Hindu Mythology. God Ganesha is considered primary God and is worshiped first in any prayers.

Here is a vedio of Ganesh Puja with Ganesh Aarti

7 things we can do to make this an Eco-friendly Ganpati - Ganesh Utsav

Modak - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet for this Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Utsav - The Ganpati festival is just round the corner and preparations have begun in full swing. Ganesh, the son of Shiva, is worshipped the world over for his wisdom and he bestows prosperity and happiness on all who worship him. He is also known as ‘vighnahartaa’ or the remover of obstacles.

Ganesh has to be worshipped at the beginning of every puja or ritual. He is an endower of prosperity and wisdom. Although the Ganesh pandaals are a bit too noisy during this time of the year, it is nevertheless good to watch so many people so devotedly offering prayers and gifts to the deity.

The saddest part is, however, when on visarjan day, the large statues are immersed in the seas. So much hard work just goes down the drain. I don’t know about you, but I feel that the Ganesh idols should not be immersed. But on second thought, the immersion reminds us that all things have an end, whether good or bad and that life is all about flux.

Ganesh, in mythology, was a good son to his parents. There is one story I particularly like. It goes like this.

Once Ganesh and his brother Karikeya were asked to go around the world by their parents, Shiva and Parvati, and the fastest one would win. While Kartikeya started off on a world trip, Ganesh only encircled his parents, denoting that they meant the world to him. This story stresses the importance of thinking and application for human development. It also highlights the importance of values, morals and ethics.

Ganesh is the lord of the ‘buddhi’ and good thought always precede good actions. Hence, one must worship Ganesh for a sharp mind and a keen intellect.

Neha Singh

Modak Recipe - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet

7 things we can do to make this an Eco-friendly Ganpati - Ganesh Utsav:

1.    Buy eco-friendly Clay Ganesh Idols and not plaster of paris idols. Plaster of Paris is harmful to the water and land and takes a long time to dissolve and causes long term damage.

2.    Insist on Ganesh Idols painted with Natural Colors. Artificial colors and paints used to paint the idols contain dangerous chemicals that pollute the water.

3.    This year reduce the size of the Ganesh idol in your home or community by half.

4.    Lets also try and reduce the number of public pandals or community Ganesh Utsavs and jointly celebrate the festival thereby reducing the number of Idols to be finally immersed.

5.    Remove the garlands and flowers and put them in paperbags and not plastic bags.

6.    Discourage the use of loud speakers during Aarti or during the procession to immerse the Ganesh Idol. We can all do we lesser noise in Mumbai and enjoy the Aarti without the speakers.

7.    Work in your local area and create an artificial well where the murtis/idols can be immersed. For your personal home Idols it might be suggested to use a big tub to immerse the Ganesh Idol.

Lets all do our small bit in our local areas to ensure a more eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav for all.

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Ganesh Utsav - The biggest festival of Maharashtra