Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ganesha vinayaka immersion. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ganesha vinayaka immersion. Sort by date Show all posts

12 September 2008

More on Ganesha Festival


One version of a legend relating to the source of Ganesha’s elephant head goes that at the behest of the Gods, who needed a deity able to remove obstacles from their path of action, Shiva himself was born from Parvati's womb, under the form of Gajanana.

According to the Linga-Purana, Ganesha was created by Shiva in order to triumph over the enemies of Gods and the image of a child was born from Shiva’s mind which had the head of an elephant. Looking at the child, Parvati took him on her lap and made the vow that any undertaking, would not be successful unless Ganesha be first worshipped. Shiva declared the child to be Ganapati, Lord of the Ganas (celestial hosts).



In the Varaha-Purana, Ganesha is depicted as a young man originating from the glittering forehead of Shiva absorbed in deep meditation. Parvati was disappointed that the boy was born without her intervention. So, she wished that his head became the head of an elephant. However, when she saw the elephant-headed child, she loved him immediately, and declared that any human or divine undertaking, should not be successful unless Ganesha be worshipped first.

Another Puranic legend tells that Parvati longed for a child and informed Shiva about her desire. He requested she observe a one-year penance. Thus, the Sage Sanatkumara submitted Parvati to various tests in order to ascertain the force of her will. Eventually a glorious child was born and the Gods and nine Planets (Navagrahas) went to Mount Kailash to admire him. One of the Planets, Shani (Saturn) would not raise his eyes to look at the child. Parvati requested him to view and admire the baby. When Shani raised his eyes and looked at the child, the baby's head instantaneously separated from the body.

In response Vishnu left on his vehicle Garuda in search of a new head to replace the lost one. On the banks of the Pushpabhadra River, he met a herd of sleeping elephants. Choosing a resting animal, whose head was turned northwards, he cut if off and brought it back. According to a version of this legend, this elephant was actually a Gandharva who desired to obtain liberation from his terrestrial life. On Vishnu’s return, the elephant head was attached to the child and Vishnu gave him the following eight names: Vighneshvara, Ganesha, Heramba, Gajanana, Lambodara, Ekadanta, Soorpakarna and Vinayaka.

The current Ganesh Chaturthi festival ends with Visarjan or immersion of the idol in water. Normally the immersion ceremony takes place on the Ananta Chaturdasi day. In 2008, the date of Ganesh Visarjan is September 14th however as this Festival is not codified, the date of the immersion ceremony is arbitrary with no strict rules and depends upon the wishes of the person performing the Visarjan.

Ananta Chaturdasi is believed to be the day when Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Anantapadmanabha, the Ananta Sayana form of Lord Vishnu in which he is reclining on Ananta.


Wood carving at Suddhananda Ashram


Many folk at Tiruvannamalai completed the immersion ceremony at the beginning of the Ganesha Festival and the next three photographs are of an immersion at the local Tamari Nagar Tank here at Tiruvannamalai. 





Procession of many Ganesha idols on way to Tank




Tamari Nagar Tank and Arunachala




Immersion


Many places throughout India have made concerted efforts this year to persuade people to return to the immersion of traditional, plain mud Ganesha idols and NOT use representations that are made from highly toxic materials. 

To see photographs of the aftermaths of the immersion festival which involves Ganesha statues that are not made of ‘mud’ here are several profoundly sad photographs of the day after a previous Ganesha Visarjan Festival at Mumbai.










29 August 2006

Ganesha Chaturthi



Ganesha or Ganapati is an extremely popular God in India. One of his many names is Vigneswara, the destroyer of obstacles. People mostly worship Him asking for success in undertakings and also so that they may gain greater intelligence. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge, wisdom, literature and the fine arts.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a day on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence known on earth for all his devotees; the day is also termed as, Vinayaka Chaturthi, (it is not the birthday of Lord Ganesha!).

The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the fourth day of the waxing moon period. It typically comes sometime between 20th of August and 15th of September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi. This year the final day falls on August 29th.



On the last day, i.e. Ganesha Chaturthi, final puja is undertaken and this particular idol seems to be patiently awaiting his final procession to the tank for immersion.



When taking Ganapati for immersion one should also bring such things as: curd, puffed rice, coconut, modak, as provision for the journey. In this picture you can see a whole procession of idols on their way to various tanks for immersion you will also be able to see the Raja Gopuram of the Arunachaleswarar Temple in the background.


Here are some very excited kids travelling on the float with one of the Ganesha idols



And here is one of the aarti trays the youths are carrying along with them to offer to spectators on the side of the street.



This is the Tamari Nagar tank waiting for some of those idols to reach. Arunachala is in the background.



And here at the corner of the tank the immersion of the statues begins. Beside the banks of the flowing water where the idol is to be immersed, one should perform aarti (waving of lighted camphor) once again and then release the idol along with the provisions into the water. After immersion it is customary to bring home the earth from that place and to sprinkle it all over the house.



HAPPY GANESHA CHATURTHI TO US ONE AND ALL

10 September 2021

Happy Ganesha Chatruthi 2021

 

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe


“SALUTATIONS to Lord Ganesha who is Brahman Himself, who is the Supreme Lord, who is the energy of Lord Siva, who is the source of all bliss, and who is the bestower of all virtuous qualities and success in all undertakings.”





Ganesha Chaturthi is a day on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence known on earth for all his devotees; the day is also termed Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is observed in the calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the Shukla Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon) which comes sometime between 20th of August and 15th of September. An important part of the festival is the immersion of the Ganesha statue into tanks, wells and ponds.


Swami Shivananda Recommends:
”On Ganesha Chaturthi, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.


Don’t forget DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON on this day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru or your religion—from this very day. Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.”


Story about not looking at the moon
There is a legend associated with Ganesha Chaturthi, from the Skanda Puranam. Lord Ganesha was once invited for a feast in Chandraloka (the Moon’s abode). Ganesha being fond of sweets, ate laddus till his stomach bloated, so much so that as he got up to walk after the meal, he could not balance himself because of his huge stomach and he slipped and fell. His stomach burst and all the laddus came rolling out. Seeing this, the Moon was highly amused and burst out laughing. Ganesha got angry and cursed the Moon that it would vanish from the Universe.


Because of the Moon’s disappearance, the whole world began to wane. The gods asked Lord Siva to get Ganesha to revoke his curse. The Moon also apologised for his misbehaviour. Finally, Ganesha modified his curse saying that the Moon would be invisible only on one day of the month and would be partially seen on Ganesha Chaturthi. He also added that anyone who looked at the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi would face a false charge. This is the reason why, even today, it is considered inauspicious to look at the moon on Ganesha Chathurthi.



 



Vakratunda Mahakaya Stotram


Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha ||


Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya koti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kurumedeva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada ||


Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha is a Prayer to Lord Ganesha, to remove obstacles and bless one with success. Lord Ganesha is prayed to at the beginning of all works as He is the deity who removes obstacles.


"O Lord with Curved Trunk, One with huge body, one with the radiance of a Crore Suns
Please make all my actions Free from troubles"





Vakratunda: Curved/ Twisted Trunk; Vakra=Curved; Tunda=Trunk
Mahakaya = Huge Body; Maha=Great; Kaya=body
SuryaKoti = Crore Suns; Surya=Sun; Koti=Crore (10 million)
Samaprabha = Equal in Radiance; Sama=equal; Prabha=Radiance

Nirvighna = Without Obstacles; Nir=without; Vighna=Trouble
Kuru = (Please) Do
Me: My
Deva = Lord/ God
Sarva = all
Karyeshu = Actions; Karya=Actions
Sarvada = All the time; Sarva = All



22 September 2012

Ganesha Going For Immersion


Was in town yesterday on errands, and while there was fortunate to be able to see some very nice Ganesha statues and floats on their way to various tanks and tirthams for immersion. The most popular spot for Ganesha immersion is at the Tamari Nagar tank. To read an earlier posting on Arunachala Grace about the Ganesha Festival and immersion, go to this link here


Ganesha on a Bullock Cart near Thiruvoodal Street

Big Temple Gopurams in the background



The lads seem to be having a grand time

Very stately looking Vinayakas
 Vinayaka waiting to be picked up and taken for his immersion

Vinayaka at Ramana Nagar giving darshan to passer-bys