Ganesh Chaturthi 2023

Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesh, the God of Wisdom, Wealth, and Fortune. The festival is a symbol of new beginnings and represents a new dawn. It is said that worshipping Lord Ganesha is essential before a new beginning. His blessing not only provides the strength and wisdom to proceed, but it also removes any impediments to success.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 is on September 19, Tuesday

Ganesh Visarjan 2023 is on September 28, Thursday

Shubh Muhurat & Important timing on Ganesh Chathurthi 2023 (Ujjain, India):
Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Time - 11:12 AM to 1:42 PM
Time To Avoid Moon Sighting- 9:29 AM to 9:21 PM
Chaturthi tithi timing - 3:33 PM, August 30 to 3:23 PM, August 31

When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi usually a 10 days festival which starts on the shukla paksha chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon) in the month of Bhadrapada according to the Indian calendar. It usually falls between August 19 and September 20 on the English calendar. Ganesh chaturthi festival ends on the day of Anant Chaturdasi, fourteenth day of bhadrapad shukla paksha.

Other names of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh chaturthi is known by different names. In north India Ganesh chaturthi (Hindi: गणेश चतुर्थी, Gujarati: ગણેશ ચતુર્થી, ) is popular, in Maharashtra the festival is also known as Ganeshotsav (Marathi: गणेशोत्सव). In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the name Vinayaka Chavithi (Telugu: వినాయక చవితి) and in Tamil nadu Vinayaka Chaturthi (Tamil: விநாயக சதுர்த்தி) is popular. Regardless of the name, the spirit and enthusiam of Ganesh Chaturthi remains the same through out the country.

The history behind Ganesh Chaturthi

According to mythology, Ganeshji was created by Goddess Parvati with sandal paste that she used for her bath. Being the deity of power, she evoked Ganesh with such strength that even the biggest of Gods could not face him at war. During such a war between the Gods, Lord Shiva accidentally chopped of Ganesha's head that elicited Parvati's rage. To satisfy his wife, Lord Shiva along with the other Gods fixed the head of a baby elephant on Ganesha's trunk. Hence Lord Ganesha with the elephant head was created. On this auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi , Lord Shiva declared that Ganesha will be the only deity who would be worshipped ahead of any other God. He would always be worshipped as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom and strength.

Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganeshotsav is the biggest festival in Maharashtra. Different types of statues of lord Ganesha are made with clay and colour for this festival.

The worship begins with the priest chanting mantras to invoke life into the idol and the Lord is bathed with sandalwood paste and kumkum. This is known as 'pranapratistha'.

Different tributes are offered to the lord that include the traditional 'modak' which is a conical sweet made up of coconut and jaggery. Other things like coconut, jaggery, durva (a special type of tri-bladed grass) and red flowers are also used for the puja.

Traditionally, 21 modaks and 21 durvas are essential for the puja.

On the 11th day, the idols are bid adieu by immersing them in water. This 'visharjan' is preceded by last rites of worshipping the deity with coconut and flowers; this is usually associated with long processions and huge crowds.

In Andhra Pradesh, along with the usual clay idols of Ganesha, turmeric and plaster of paris are also used to make idols that are then worshipped alongside. Special sweet meals are prepared for the puja. Kudumu is the local version of 'modak' there; other items include panakam (a cardamom flavoured spicy drink), vadapappu (soaked lentils) and chalividi (a sweet rice preparation).

Excited to try out a Modak recipe?We've got a good one for you!

Important Timings On Ganesh Chaturthi 2023

Ganesh Chaturthi is not only the most coveted festival that is celebrated in the western part of India but is also a source of work and business to many artisans across the region.