Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Puja or Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavitha, is a popular Hindu festival that is celebrated every year for 10 days. The great festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesh who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

According to the Hindu calendar, this famous festival is celebrated in the Bhadra month which generally falls from mid-August to September. This festival marks the birthday of the beloved Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha is considered as one of the major deities of Hinduism known as the God of wealth, science, knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity. All the Hindus worship lord Ganesha and seek his blessings before starting any important work.

Lord Ganesh is known by different names like Gajanana, Vinayaka, and Vighnaharta among others. This great Hindu festival is celebrated with great devotion and joy by Hindus throughout the country. In India, it is majorly celebrated in states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, Odisha.

In Odisha, Ganesh puja is Celebrated as a popular festival, Talcher Ganesh Puja is very famous, followed by Bhubaneshwar & Bhadrak.

History of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is Celebrated on the birthday of Lord Ganesh who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is a popular story related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati behind the birth of Lord Ganesha. Once, in Kailash parvat Goddess Parvati had to bathe in the absence of Lord Shiva.

So she created Lord Ganesha from the dirt of her body to guard her in the absence of Lord Shiva. She instructed him to guard her bathroom door while she took a bath and not to let anyone enter the house. At that time, Lord Shiva returned home and Ganesha did not know who Lord Shiva was, so he stopped him from getting in. By this Lord Shiva got angry and cut Ganesha’s head.

When the Goddess came out, she got angry because her son was killed. Then, Lord Shiva promised to bring back Ganesha’s life. The devas were sent to search for a child’s head facing north but they could find anyone except an elephant’s child sleeping facing north. So, they brought the elephant’s head. Shiva fixed the elephant’s head on Ganesha’s body, and that is how Lord Ganesha was born.

Why Ganesh Puja is Celebrated

Ganesh puja is Celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati who was born in Bhadrapada month. Lord Ganesha is the God who offers

Wisdom protects people from evils, fills the life of His devotees with positivity and happiness, and removes all the obstacles from the life of his devotees and hurdles from the life of His devotees.

Lord Ganesh is the God who is worshipped before any other God. Similarly, before starting an important work or new journey in life either personal or professional, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as he shows the right path always helps people, and gives strength to everyone.

Therefore, the birth of Lord Ganesha is celebrated all over the country by all the Hindus with great enthusiasm, happiness, and devotion.

Who started Ganesh’s puja?

Though it is not documented when the Ganesh Puja was started but there are two theories famous abut the start of Ganesh Puja or Ganesh Charuthi.

First is that the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji in Maharashtra to advance culture and nationalism. Since then, it has continued every year everywhere.

Second Theory is that Shri Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak started first Ganesh Puja at Pune as public festival in year in 1893.

Highlights of Ganesh Chaturthi

On the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha idols are brought to the homes as well as installed in the various pandals for the celebration of this great festival.

People decorate their homes and welcome the Lord with great joy by singing, dancing, celebrating, and performing various rituals, worshipping God, and offering his favorite sweets called Modak.

After the celebration, Ganesh visarjan takes place. On this day the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in a nearby Lake or pond. People bid goodbye to God and pray to him for well-being and a better future.

People enjoy this festival with great joy by worshipping God. Lots of cultural programs also take place during the occasion as part of the celebration.

Ganesh puja 2023

In 2023, the great celebration of Ganesh puja will be held on 19th September.

Ganesh puja 2022

In 2022, Ganesh puja was celebrated on 13th september, 2022

Ganesh puja 2024

In 2024, Ganesh puja will be celebrated on 7th September,  2024

Ganesh puja at Bhubaneswar

Ganesh puja is Celebrated as a grand celebration in Bhubaneswar. Gigantic idols of Lord Ganesh are created with clay and are situated at Puja pandals which are decorated beautifully with lights and flowers. Lots of puja and Rituals take place during the celebration.

How to Reach Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is one of the major cities of India and is the capital of Odisha. It is a modern and well-planned city which is connected well to all parts of India. One can reach Bhubaneshwar through all modes of transportation. Some of the best ways to reach Bhubaneshwar are

By Air- Bhubaneswar has its own International airport known as the Biju Patnaik International Airport which is situated roughly about 4 km away from Bhubaneswar city and is connected to all major cities of the country like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, etc..

By Rail- Bhubaneswar has its railway station located around 5 km away from the city center and connects the capital of Odisha to other major cities in the country and the rest of the state. Several regular trains connect Bhubaneswar to many other parts of the country.

By Road- There are several bus services connecting the city to various cities in the neighboring states. The bus services include Government as well as private buses and also well connecting roads are available.

Read More about Festivals in India

Rath Yatra

FAQ’s- Frequently Asked Question