Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the occasion of birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati,
who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in
the duration of this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha
as superior to all the gods. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of
wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the
beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. While celebrated all over India, it is most elaborate in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa.
Traditional stories tell that Lord Ganesha was created by goddess
Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of
sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the
figure. She then set him to stand guard at her door while she bathed.
Lord Shiva returned and, as Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him
to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged, severed the head of the child and
entered his house. After realizing that he had beheaded his own son,
Lord Shiva fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. In
this way, Lord Ganesha came to be depicted as the elephant-headed God.
Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated as a public event in Pune since the times of Shivaji (1630-1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire. The Peshwas, the de facto
hereditary administrators of the Empire from 1749 till its end in 1818,
encouraged the celebrations in their administrative seat Pune as
Ganesha was their family deity (Kuladevata).
Apart from the main motto of the festival, we also ought to keep in mind that by using Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris, we are polluting our own environment.. Instead of using POP, we must use eco-friendly Ganesha idols that will not cause any harm to our environment. When Ganesh idols are made out of paper mache,instead of POP, it does not create pollution. Very important thing is that these idols are cheaper than other idols. Similarly, these idols dissolve quickly in water and paper mache is not harmful to water hence there is no water pollution, as well as there are no remains of idols left on the seashore.
Wishing u all a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi..
(Be eco-friendly.. be happy)
Apart from the main motto of the festival, we also ought to keep in mind that by using Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris, we are polluting our own environment.. Instead of using POP, we must use eco-friendly Ganesha idols that will not cause any harm to our environment. When Ganesh idols are made out of paper mache,instead of POP, it does not create pollution. Very important thing is that these idols are cheaper than other idols. Similarly, these idols dissolve quickly in water and paper mache is not harmful to water hence there is no water pollution, as well as there are no remains of idols left on the seashore.
Wishing u all a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi..
(Be eco-friendly.. be happy)
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