Ganpati Bappa Moriya

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakotisamaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru me Deva Sarvakaryeshhu Sarvada (O Ganapati, One with a curved trunk, a large body, and a brilliance equal to a crore (10 million) suns! O God, please make all my undertakings free from obstacles always.) Prayers or Sholakas have power and faith can convert any thorny path into a smooth road. The existence of our Creator is debatable. But human beings in some or the other way have always saluted the divine Power. We are divided into various religions and sects, but our prayers are heard by one Divine Entity.

Every form of worship has specific meaning and they help a human being understand the rituals and purify the mind and body. The prayers and devotion helps him get closer to God. Every aspect of pooja indicates the existence of five elements of nature. During the rituals, the Pancha Upacharas represent the Panchabhutas like flowers represent the sky, the incense sticks denote the air, the oil lamps correspond with the fire, the offerings with the water and the fragrance denotes the earth.

Adi Shankaracharya popularized the worship of five Gods- Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya and Ganesha. Gana is a group. One who is the leader (Adhipati) of the group is Ganapati. He is an Adipati or leader of Satva, Raja and Tama. He is distinct from other Gods due to His physical stucture. He is a personification of the beauty and strength of mind and not body. Ganesha is a God symbolic of siddhi (success in undertakings) and buddhi (intelligence).

Ganesha is one of the most popular Gods worshipped by Hindus and His worship is considered to be auspicious before the commencement of any occasion. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. Ganesha is known by many names Dhoomraketu, Sumukha, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Ganadhyaksha, Phalachandra, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila and Vigneshwara. Many know him as Maha-Ganapathi also.

Ganesha comes home every year to bless His devotees during the popular 10-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival marks the birthday of Ganesha- the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is welcomed in many parts of our country with verve and fervor. There are diverse ways of worshipping Ganesha on this day.

In Bengal instead of Ganesha, the people worship Ghant karna and Ghentu, who are supposed to be Shiva's disciples. The Kannada people call Ganesh chaturthi as "Benkan Halla" and the Telugu call it "Pilleyar Chavati". The Tamils call Gajanan as "Tumbikai Alwar" means the Gajanan - God of wisdom. But Maharashtra enjoys the prime position in celebrating this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is the prime festival here.

The emergence of Ganesha is one of the most fascinating stories described in the Shiv Purana. Goddess Parvati while going for a bath wanted a guard outside her bathing area. She created a boy out of the mud from her body. When Lord Shiva came back and was prevented to enter inside, He cut-off the head of the small boy out of anger. Disheartened Parvati demanded the life of the boy again from Shiva. In order to console Her, Shiva sent out a group of people to look for anybody who was sleeping with his head-facing north. When He found a baby elephant, Airavat (in some scriptures) sleeping northwards, He ordered His people to cut his head. The head of the baby-elephant was then attached to the body of the dead boy and Shiva with His powers revived his life. He named the boy Ganapati and granted Him a boon that everyone will worship Ganesha before the beginning of any undertaking.

The physical features of Ganesha make Him a unique God. Every feature of His body has philosophical significance. His physical appearance is known as "tat tvam asi". Ganesha's human body represents tvam (you), his elephantine face represents tat (Brahman). Thus his body is said to be the representation of a highest quality of a Brahmin.

Ganesha's long ears too have some relevance. Big ears say only that knowledge, which is worth should be accepted and the rest should be thrown. Ganesha's ears therefore say that only hearing (sharavan) can help us differentiate between good and bad. Small eyes show critical view of things. Trunk means sensing of everything. He has one full and one broken teeth, which indicate faith (shraddha) and half wisdom. One can afford to be less intellectual, but he should have self-faith. Four hands suggest the patience over passion and vices. Big belly is indicative of the storage of everything. Shri Ganesh has small legs, which suggest that nothing should be done hurriedly; patience is the key. Ganesha's vehicle mouse is the symbol of a human being's ego. It signifies that one who controls his ego has God's consciousness.

According to legends Ganesha is a great scribe and learned in religious teachings and scriptures. He is seen with only one tusk as He has used the other to write the holy epicMahabharata, which was dictated by to him the saint and scholar Vyasa. This is one of the reasons He's called Ekdanta.

Ganesh Chaturthi comes every year in the month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the Shukla Chaturthi. The history of the public celebrations of Ganesha Chaturthi dates back to the time of the independence movement. In 1894, Lokmanya Tilak made Ganesh Chaturthi a public festival by placing an idol of Ganesha in Vinchurkar Wada in Pune. Looking at the condition of the Hindus in the State, Tilak initiated this as a public festival. He wanted to create awareness about the religion, quash the feelings of animosity in society, cultivate a religiously healthy society and encourage people to unite and fight against the Western Power.

The 10-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols at homes and Mandaps. The Mandaps are colorfully decorated and even depict religious themes, stories from the Puranas or current events. The Ganesh idols are worshipped with families and friends.

In Mumbai, the Ganapati Mandals organize the festival at a huge scale and bring the Ganesha idols in the pandals with music and celebrations. The Mandalis bear the expenses of the festival every year and for 10-days enliven the atmosphere with Ganesha aartis, bhajans and various performances. Many cultural events are organized and people participate in them with keen interest.

The pooja for Ganesh Chaturthi contains of Shodashopachara which are the 16 steps to worship Lord Ganesha. ¦ Aavahanam-The Ganesha idol is brought home to begin the celebra tions at home. ¦ Aasanaam-The idol made to sit at one corner of the house, which is first washed and the seat is deco rated with flowers, dates, maize, etc. used to make the roof on His head. ¦ Paadyam- His feet are washed with fragrant rose water and wiped with towel. ¦ Arghyaam-He is offered cool scent ed water to drink. ¦ Aachamaneeyam- The priest sips water from the palm, which is a sign of purification of soul before starting the pooja. ¦ Snaanaam- The idol is then bathed in Panchaamrit. Milk, Curd (Yoghurt), Ghee (Clarified Butter), Honey and Sugar followed by Water. ¦ Vastram- Lord Ganesha is then made to dress up in a brightly col ored silk clothes consisting of a Dhoti and Anga Vastra. ¦ Yagyopaveetam-The Sacred Thread (Janoi) is placed across His shoulder. ¦ Gandham- Ittar (perfume) is sprin kled on His body. ¦ Aksataam- A plate of grains are offered to Him. ¦ Pushpam- The God is offered dif ferent variety of flowers and Garland is placed around His neck.

He is specially offered with hibis cus flower. Dhoopam-The incense sticks are lighted which spreads delicate scent, purifying the atmos phere all around. ¦ Deepam-Diyas- The diyas are lit in front of the idol. ¦ Naivedyam-Lord Ganesh is offered sweets like Modaka and Laddoo. ¦ Tamboolam-Paan- He is offered a betel leaf, which is first, rolled with refreshing mints and betel nut, then dipped in rose water and sprinkled with dry coconut strands. ¦ Dakshanaam-Dakshanam- here the priest is gifted a coin in grati tude for the ceremony performed.

He is offered "Durvas". It's a belief that those who offer 21 Durvas to Ganesha gets free form all misdeeds and curses. Lord Ganesh is very fond of sweets and hence khir, panchamrit, fruits and sweets and specially modakas are placed before him as "Naivedya" or "Bhog". After the Shodashopachara and aarti it is distributed as "Prasad".

Devotees carry these rituals religiously. Some rituals may differ due to different customs of different regions. The pooja is supposed to be performed twice a day. The family members and neighborhood people visit each other's homes and pay homage to the Deity. In streets and commercial spaces, community worship is offered to a life-size image of Ganesha.

After ten exciting days comes the time to bid farewell to the much-loved God. Ganesh idols are worshipped and immersed in water, after 1-5 days, 7 days and 10 days. People take Ganesh idols in procession with the accompaniment of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river or lake. The entire city echoes with one chant 'Ganpati bappa moraya, pudhachya varshi lavkar ya'.

The grandeur of Ganesh Chaturthi is experienced all over the world. Paris celebrates Ganesh Chaurthi at a grand scale. The Hindu population consisting of Sri Lankans Indian Tamils and other Hindus of Paris organize the 10-day festival. Sri Manikka Vinayakar Temple of Paris conducts a chariot festival in which the temple's Ganesha idol is taken on the chariot. This is one of the largest festivals of France. The USA also takes part in this energetic festival with full enthusiasm. The Sai Samsathan of USA located in Warrenville and the North American Sankethi Association in New York also perform the Ganesh pooja during this time. On the Annath Chaturdashi, the idols are immersed in the Miami and other beaches.

Ganesha Mahotsav has become an integral part of the culture of Maharashtra since the time of Peshwas. This festival marks the creation of various new opportunities and beginnings of new lives. This is a perfect time to buy new assets and begin new journeys for improvement and progress. Ganesha's worship being the most auspicious of all prayers and devotions, no day can be more propitious than His birthday to start a new event or do a Shubh Karya. Ganesha being one the global Gods today, Ganesh Chaturthi is slowly emerging as one of the major festivals in the cultures of people ¦ internationally.

108 names of Ganesha Ganesha-ashhTottara naamaavalii The recitation of each name is to be preceded by the AUM syllable, and to be followed by namah

1. vinaayakaaya 2. vighnaraajaaya 3. gauriiputraaya 4. ganeshvaraaya 5. skandaagrajaaya 6. avyayaaya 7. puutaaya 8. dakshhaadhyaksh haaya 9. dvijapriyaaya 10. agnigarvachhide 11. indrashriipradaaya 12. vaaNiibalapradaaya 13. sarvasi dhipradaaya 14. sharvatanayaaya 15. sharvariipriyaaya 16. sarvaatmakaaya 17. srishhTikartre 18. devaaniikaarchi taaya 19. shivaaya 20. shuddhaaya 21. buddhipriyaaya 22. shaantaaya 23. brahmachaariNe 24. gajaananaaya 25. dvaimaaturaaya 26. munistutyaaya 27. bhaktavighnav inaashanaaya 28. ekadantaaya 29. chaturbaahave 30. shaktisamyutaaya 31. chaturaaya 32. lambodaraaya 33. shuurpakarNaaya 34. herambaaya 35. brahmavittamaaya 36. kaalaaya 37. grahapataye 38. kaamine 39. somasuuryaag nilochanaaya 40. paashaaN kushadharaaya 41. chaNDaaya 42. guNaatiitaaya 43. niraJNjanaaya 44. akalmashaaya 45. svaya Msiddhaarchitapadaaya 46. biijapuurakaaya 47. avyaktaaya 48. gadine 49. varadaaya 50. shaashvataaya 51. kRitine 52. vidvatpriyaaya 53. viitabhayaaya 54. chakriNe 55. ikshhuchaapadhRite 56. abjotpalakaraaya 57. shriishaaya 58. shriipataye 59. stutiharshhitaaya 60. kalaadribhRite 61. jaTine 62. chandrachuuDaaya 63. amareshvaraaya 64. naagayajnopaviitine 65. shriikaNThaaya 66. raamaarchitapaadaaya 67. vratine 68. sthuulakaNThaaya 69. trayiikartre 70. saamaghoshhapriyaaya 71. purushhottamaaya 72. sthuulatuNDaaya 73. agragaNyaaya 74. graamaNye 75. gaNapaaya 76. sthiraaya 77. vriddhidaaya 78. subhagaaya 79. shuuraaya 80. vaagiishaaya 81. siddhidaayakaaya 82. duurvaabilvapriyaaya 83. kaantaaya 84. paapahaariNe 85. kritaagamaaya 86. samaahitaaya 87. vakratuNDaaya 88. shriipradaaya 89. saumyaaya 90. bhaktakaankshhitadaaya 91. achyutaaya 92. kevalaaya 93. siddhaaya 94. sachchidaanandavigrahaaya 95. jnaanine 96. maayaayuktaaya 97. daantaaya 98. brahmishhThaaya 99. bhayavarjitaaya 100. pramattadaityabhayadaaya 101. vyaktamuurtaye 102. amuurtaaya 103. paarvatiisha.nkarotsa Ngakhelanotsavalaalanaaya 104. samastajagadaadhaaraaya 105. muushhakavaahanaaya 106. hrishhTastutaaya 107. prasannaatmane 108. sarvasiddhipradaayakaaya