10 Fascinating Facts about Ganesh Chaturthi: As Ganesh Chaturthi closes in, devotees should be aware of these fascinating facts about Ganesh Chaturthi which marks the birth of Ganpati Bappa.
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This year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 7 and will be celebrated for 10 straight days till September 17.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Hyderabad, and many other states.
Devotees set up pandals in several places to display the idol of Lord Ganesha with dance, and music and offer ‘bhog’.
Devotees believe that worshiping Lord Ganesha with love and affection will bring wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune and remove all obstacles from life.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Dos and don’ts during Ganpati Bappa festival
Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Ganesh Chaturthi 2024
However, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about Ganesh Chaturthi:
- Earlier, Ganesh Chaturthi was not a public celebration, it was celebrated only in the house. But in 1873, Bal Gangadhar Tilak who was the freedom fighter celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand public celebration and brought India people together to fight against British rule. Since then, Ganesh Chaturthi was popular and celebrated every year.
- Ganesh Chaturthi is not only celebrated in India but the grand festival is also celebrated in Nepal, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Japan, and Afghanistan.
- Legends say that devotees should not have the sight of the moon during Ganesh Chaturthi especially during Bhadrapada Chaturthi as it signifies bad luck. The story goes back to when Mooshak left Ganesha on the ground after being scared by a snake and seeing Ganesha with his big belly couldn’t get up, the moon laughed at him which made Ganesha furious and he cursed the moon.
- The first Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated during the early 1600s when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ruled.
- The Shri Idagunji Maha Ganapati Temple which is situated in Karnataka is one of the oldest Ganpati temples in India, the temple is more than 1500 years old.
- Lord Ganesha’s elephant head signifies courage, good health, endurance, and strength.
- Besides modaks, the other favorite sweets of Lord Ganesha are Puran Poli and karanji.
- One of the four main rituals of the festival is Shhodashopachara which comprises 16 steps to honor the Lord Ganesha that includes Aavaahana, Pratishthapan, Aasana Samarpana, Arghya Samarpan, Achamana, Madhuparka, Snaana, Vastra Samapana, Yagyopavit, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedya and Taamblooa.
- Lord Ganesha who is also known as the god of all beginnings has a total of 108 names.
- Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as the Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Date, History, Significance, and How to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
