GANESH CHATURTHI FESTIVAL STORY

Lord Ganesha holds a very significant place in the Hindu religion. He is usually worshipped as the remover of obstacles and all who desire their ambitions to be fulfilled and wishes gratified are recommended to worship him.

Any religious activity begins with the worship of Lord Ganesha. Of all the deities he is the most favourite. His wives are Riddhi and Siddhi.

According to the Hindu mythology, the elephant-headed deity of prudence Lord Ganesha is the elder son of Shiva and Parvati. It is said that Ganesha was actually a creation of Godesses Parvati.

She created him in the absence of Lord Shiva; One day she asked little Ganesh to keep a watch on the door and not to allow anybody in without her permission. Ganesha obeyed his mother.

At that very time Lord Shiva came and obeying his mother he did not allow his father to enter the room. On this act many other deities tried to remove Ganesh from the door but in vain. Therefore, Lord Shiva cut Ganesha's head by his trishula.

Just then there appeared Parvati, and seeing the condition of her son she got very angry. Then, Lord Shiva ordered the deities to place an elephant-head or Ganesha's body and thus Ganesha was brought to life.

Owing to his head he is also known as Gajanan. His other famous name is Ekdant, Arunvarna, Lambodar, etc.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with a belief that Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati, bestows His blessings on His devotees, on this day. It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom. Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which falls around August or September. The occasion becomes very lively and enthusiastic with the devotional songs, dances and drum beats being a part of the procession observed by the devotees of Lord Ganesha, as a part of the festivities. Ganesh Chaturthi is the only festival that involves and welcomes the participation of general public. 

In the history we don’t when the Ganesh Chaturthi  was celebrated for the first time. In Pune it is celebrated as public event from the ruling period of Shivaji who is the founder of the Maratha Empire.  Peshwas also encouraged the festival during their administrative period. They believed that Ganesha was the family deity for beginning good things. When Peshwas lost the power, the Ganesh Chaturthi lost their fame and it became a family celebration when freedom fighter Lokmanya Thilak brought this festival into the light.