Ganesh Chathurthi – An Indian Festival
Thanks to SriHari for uploading this.
Ganesh Chaturthi (sanskrit: गणेश चतुर्थी) is an occasion or a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). This typically comes sometime between 20th of August and 15th of September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi.
Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
While held all over India, it is at its most elaborate in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire.
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Jai Ganesha Over a century since the first community Ganesh Festival was held in Pune, today Pune has 5000 and more mandals joining the fervour of the festival. The celebrations sure have changed over the years the exuberance remaining the same though. The Beginning Way back in 1892 the great reformer Tilak witnessed Ganshotsav celebrated by Sardar Khasgiwale in Gwalior. With him were renowned social figures of those days Ganpatrao Ghovedakar, Bhau Vaidya and Bhau Rangari who later at Tilak’s insistence installed the idol of lord Ganesh in Pune.
Yashvant
August 16, 2007