GANESH CHATURTHI,REASON TO CELEBRATE GANESH CHATURTHI

THE REASON BEHIND GANESH CHATURTHI

Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a ten-day celebration for Hindus in honour of elephant-headed God Ganesha's birthday. It is believed that with the blessing of lord Ganesha all work will be successfully completed without any obstacles.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Ganesha. The birth of our vinayaka is very interesting it is said that Goddess Parvati wanted a guard who can protect her so she created an idol out of dirt off her body and asked him to keep a watch on a door until she finishes her bath. After some time Shiva who has gone out, returned at that time, but as Ganesha who was unknown about Shiva stopped him and did not allow him to enter this made Shiva angry  severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between the two. Parvati was enraged and and asked Shiva to give life in the body of Ganesha, Shiva promised Ganesha will live again. The devas who went in search of a head facing north of a dead person could manage only the head of an elephant. Shiva fixed the elephant's head on the child and brought him back to life.

The festival begins on Shukla Chaturthi which is the fourth day of the waxing moon period, and ends on the 14th day of the waxing moon period known as Anant Chaturdashi.

There are two different versions about Ganesha's birth. One has it that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of dirt off her body while having a bath and set him to guard her door while she finishes her bath. Shiva who has gone out, returned at that time, but as Ganesha didn't know of him, stopped him from entering. An angry Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between the two. Parvati was enraged and Shiva promised Ganesha will live again. The devas who went in search of a head facing north of a dead person could manage only the head of an elephant. Shiva fixed the elephant's head on the child and brought him back to life.

The other legend has it that Ganesha was created by Shiva and Parvati on request of the Devas, to be a vighnakartaa (obstacle-creator) in the path of rakshasas (demonic beings), and a vighnahartaa (obstacle-averter) to help the Devas.

About The Author

Ashwin Chandra is an Indian fact-checker and news writer, writing news for Ayupp since 2014.

You Might Be Interested In

Latest On Ayupp.com