GlobeofBlogsGanesh Festival - Online Puja Resouces
Ganesh has been a ubiquitous presence in Indian art, philosophy and ritual for many millennia. Now, interest in Ganesh’s symbolism and meaning have taken root outside of India. Ganesh’s image, with an elephant head and a human body, is easily recognizable to many Westerners. However, few outside of the Hindu religion are familiar with what he represents or the traditions associated with him.
For the world’s one billion Hindus, Ganesh is a powerful and majestic deity, said to bring good fortune when launching new endeavors. He is also considered a patron-deity of the arts and the Lord of beginnings. The iconography and history of Ganesh go far beyond his link with good fortune. The imagery associated with Ganesh offers a spiritual map of sorts, his every feature rich with meaning both practical and esoteric.
Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, Chavath in Konkani and as Chathaa in Nepal Bhasa. It is celebrated as it is the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
So we ought to provide you with best ganesh online puja reaources in this post.
While celebrated all over India, it is most elaborate in Maharashtra,Goa ( Biggest festival for Konkani people all over the world ) Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire. Outside India, it is celebrated by Newars in Nepal.
Origin
The Origin of the festival lies in the Holy Hindu scriptures which tell the story of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha (or Ganapati) was created by goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.
According to the legend, Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of resolution, was away at a war. His wife Pavarti, wanted to bathe and having no-one to guard the door to her house, conceived of the idea of creating a son who could guard her. Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him to stand guard at her door and instructed him not to let anyone enter.
History
In 1893, Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter visualized the cultural importance of this deity and popularised Ganesha Chaturthi as a National Festival "to bridge the gap between the Brahmins and the non-Brahmins and find an appropriate context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them" in his
nationalistic strivings against the British in Maharashtra
Ganesh Puja in India
Before 2-3 months prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, life-like clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sold by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated & depict Lord Ganesh in various poses. The size of these statues may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures mantapas (pandals) in every locality.
For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped.
On the 11th day, the statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees. All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukar ya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year).
Of all the statues intalled every year Mandai Ganpati, Babugenu Ganpati, GrahakPeth Ganpati, JunyaJaicha Ganapati, Khajinavihir Ganpati, Khairtabad Ganpati, Begum Bazar Ganpati and Tulshibag Ganpati, Siddivinayak temple in mumbai are very much popular.
Ganesh Chaturthi Outside India
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the UK by the migrant Hindu population as well as the large amount of Indians residing there. The Hindu culture and Heritage Society, UK - a Southall based organisation celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi for the first time in London in 2005 at The Vishwa Hindu Temple. The Idol was immersed in the river Thames at Putney Pier.
The festival is similarly celebrated in many locations across the world. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, an organisation of Hindus based in the US organises many such events to mark the various Hindu festivals. Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius dated back to 1896. The first Ganesh Chaturthi Puja was held at the epth of the 7,Cascades Valley in Henrietta by the Bhiwajee family who is still celebrating this pious festival for more than a century.
Over the years the festival gained such popularity on the island that Mauritian government has attributed a public holiday for that day.
For Ganesh Chathurthi Pooja Procedure click here
Online Pooja Resources
List of exclusive online pooja offerings :
astroshastra.com - Exclusive Bala Ganapathy Puja service
Prarthana.com - Online Hindu Temple Services
devshoppe.com - Online ganesh homa puja by learned pandits
rudraksha-ratna.com - Lord Ganesha online puja service
Ganesh Festival Greeting Cards
Here is a List of sites that offer e-cards on this occassion. Click on the links to directly access the Ganesh Festival Cards:
123greetings.com
dgreetings.com
365greetings.com
santabanta.com
deepestfeelings.com
hindu-festivals.com
Download/Listen to Devotional Songs
musiindiaonline.com Vinayaka Pooja Devotional Songs/Music, including reviews, previews, audio reviews, wallpapers, stills and much more.
Surf raaga.com to listan/download devotional songs from diff languages like hindi, tamil, telugu, marathi, sanskrit, kannada, malayalam, bengali etc..,
Pictures of Ganesh Festival
Some pics of Ganesh Festival to relish :
Pictures of Ganesh Festival
Shree Ganesha - Birth story, Ashtavinayak Temples, 108 names and Festival Pics
Ganesh Festival Celebration photos in India
Eco-Freindly Ganesha
The Eco-Sensitive Ganesh Festival Campaign
Ways to celebrate an EcoFriendly Ganesh Utsav
Environmental impact of Ganesh Utsav
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