Ganesha goes hitech With major Ganesh pandals in the city launching their own websites, the Lord gets tech savvy this year

Lord Ganesha will trot the globe on a new ‘mouse’ this year. Following the trend in places like Mumbai and Pune, major Ganesh pandals in Hyderabad too, have made their presence felt on the World Wide Web through their sites. From making online darshans and placing puja requests, to watching live video feed and updated photo galleries, your Ganesh fix this Vinayaka Chaturthi is just a click way!

These sites will only make things easier for Hyderabadi devotees this year, says S Rajkumar, organizing secretary, of Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, that was founded in 1954. “Over the last 57 years, the crowd that the Khairatabad Ganesh has attracted is only increasing with each passing year. The serpentine queues grow longer each year and due to the rush, darshans have become shorter. My family couldn’t get darshan for more than a minute or two last year. That’s when I decided to start the website,” he says.

People can watch the live videos of Khairatabad Ganesh and offer prayers at the pandal by just shooting off an email. “If people mail us their names and details of their gotra, etc., we get puja performed for free for them. The site also has a photo gallery with photographs of our Ganesh idols clicked in the last 57 years, including several rare black and white ones. The real time video feed will go online shortly before the festival starts,” he adds.

The website’s home page also gives a sneak-peek into the design of this year’s Khairatabad Ganesh. “The idol will be 50-feet tall and Lord Ganesh will be seated on the garuda vahanam (eagle) perched on a globe,” adds Rajkumar.
Youth and colony associations that install pandals and organize pujas in their respective localities have already launched websites for their associations and respective Ganesh pandals. Take for instance Devi Nagar Youth Association (DNYA) from Kavadigua that has its own website. Tenugu Praveen Kumar of DNYA, says, “On the site, people can view the day’s schedule, pujas, competitions we organize for kids and other events that are part of the festival. Viewers can surf through the photo gallery and even follow us on Twitter. We currently have 353 followers.”

Even the Balapur Ganesh, famous for the laddoo which is auctioned for lakhs of rupees every year, boasts of a website for sending greetings, along with wallpaper and prayer downloads. Besides the pandal sites, there are other sites too that are making an impact. There’s a dedicated page on a social networking site called ‘Ganesh Festivals in Hyderabad and Secunderabad’, which already has 864 followers and shared devotional songs, videos and RSS feeds and blogs on the city’s pandals.

Ganapati associations too, are all for city Ganeshas making their presence felt on the Net. G Hanumanth Rao, chairman, Ganesh Diksha, says, “It is cool to worship the God online and even watch pandal videos . No matter what the medium, devotion is what counts.”

Source from Hyderabad Times

Ganesh Maharaj Birth History in Telugu

వినాయక జననం..

హీమాలయ పర్వతాలలో కైలాసశిఖరం పార్వతీ పరమేశ్వరుల నివాసం. ఒకసారి పార్వతీదేవి మట్టితో చక్కని  కుర్రవాణ్ణి సృష్టించి ,అతన్ని ద్వారం వద్ద కావలి ఉంచి.తాను స్నానానికి వెళ్లింది.అంతలో శివుడుఅక్కడికి  వచ్చి లోపలికి వెళ్లబోగా కుర్రవాడుఅడ్డగించాడు.నేను శివుణ్ణి పార్వతీ దేవికి భర్తను ,అంటూ అతడు బలవంతంగా లోపలికి వెళ్లబోయాడు.నువ్వు ఎవడివైతే నాకేమి ? ఎవరినీ రానీయవద్దని  నాతల్లీ ఆజ్ఞ! అంటూ ఆకుర్రవాడుతన చేతనున్న దండంతో శివుణ్ణి కొట్టాడు.శివుణ్ణి కోపం వచ్చి వీణ్ణీ  అవతలికి నెట్టి నేయండి.అని తన వెంట ఉన్న ప్రమథులను ఆజ్ఞాపించాడువాళ్లు ఆపని చేయలేకపోయారు.కుర్రవాడు తన ముష్టి ఘాతాలతో వారిపైన విరుచుకు పడ్డాడు.

అతని ప్రతాపానికి తాళలేక శివానుచరులైన భూత ప్రేత పిశాచ గణాలన్నీ పారిపోయాయి.అది చూసి శివుడురౌద్రావేశంతో త్పరిశూలంతో బాలుడి తలను చేదించాడు.

అప్పుడు పార్వతీదేవికి అంతులేని దుఃఖం కలిగింది.పట్టరాని కోపంతో ఆమె వెయ్యి మహాకాళి కలను సృష్టించి జగత్తునంతా నాశనంచెయ్యమని ఆజ్ఞపించింది.వెంటనే బ్రహ్మ,విష్టువు,ఇంద్రుడూ మొదలైనా దేవతలంతా పరుగు పరుగున పార్వతీ వద్దకు వచ్చి కాపాడవలసిందని కోరారు.దానికి ఆమె నాకొడుకు మళ్లీ బతికి మీఅందరి చేతా పూజింపండాలి.అప్పుడుగానీ నేను శాంతించును అంది.శివుడుఅందుకు సమ్మతించి పిల్లవాడి తలను మొండేనికి అతికించాలని ఎంతో ప్రయత్నించాడు.కానీ అవిఒకదాని కొకటి అంటుకోలేదు అప్పుడు శివుని ఆజ్ఞమేరకు నందీశ్వరుడు ఉత్తర దిక్కుగా వెళ్లి ఒక ఏనుగు తలను నరికి తేచ్చాడు.శివుడు ఆ శిరస్సును బాలుని మొండేనికి అతికి అతన్ని బతికించాడు.పార్వతీ సంతుష్టురాలై తను సంహర శక్తులన్నింటినీ ఉపసంహరించింది.

బ్రహ్మదేవుడు ఆబాలుడికి వినాయకుడని నామకరణం చేశాడు.ముల్లోకాలంలోని వారూముద్దగా అతన్ని పూజించేలా వరమీచ్చాడు.వినాయకుడికి సరస్వతీ దేవి ,సకల విద్యలనూ ప్రసాదించీ ఒక గంటాన్ని ఇచ్చింది విష్టువుఒక  అమృత కలశాన్నీ భూదేవి మూషికవాహనాన్నీ ఇచ్చారు.ఇంద్రడు అంకుశాన్నీ లక్ష్మీదేవి  ఆష్టైశ్వర్యాలనూ పార్వతీ దేవి..చీరాయువునూ ప్రసారించారు.శివుడు వినాయకుణ్ణి తన ప్రమథగణాలకు అథిపతిగా పట్టాభిషిక్తుణ్ణీ చెయ్యగా దేవతలందరూ జయగణపతీ  అంటూ నినాదాలు చేసి నృత్యగీతాలతో అతన్ని పూజించారు.

About Khairatabad Ganapati & History

Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival is 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 or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, Chavath ( चवथ ) in Konkani and as Chathaa (चथा) in Nepal Bhasa. It is celebrated as 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). Typically, the day falls sometime between 20 August and 15 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi. This festival is observed in the lunar month of bhadrapada shukla paksha chathurthi madhyahana vyapini purvaviddha.

The Khairatabad Ganapati Deva in Hyderabad is one of the tallest Ganesha idols made in India during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. In 2008, the height of Khairatabad Ganesh is 46 feet in 2008. A noteworthy and highly commendable aspect this year is the use of eco-friendly natural colors on the huge Ganesh idol.

Late Mr. S. Sankarayya freedom fighter, in 1954 founded Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, Hyderabad. Since then every year it developed with the constant effort of Mr. S. Sankarayya’s family and friends and committee members.

The Ganesh idol of this place is the tallest in the world, averaging to 50 feet. Mr.S.Sankarayya’s brother Mr. S. Sudershan continuing the tradition of Ganesh Pooja in Khairatabad, Hyderabad, with the help of Mr. Sandeep Raj and his son S. Rajkumar successfully, since 55 years. Every year lakhs of devotees visit daily this 12 days event of Ganesh Utsav. On 12th day this huge Ganesh idol, with the help of large cranes will be immersed in Hussain Sagar lake, after long procession.

Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, Hyderabad claims the Ganesh idols displayed here, during Ganesh Chaturthi, to be the tallest idols in the world. At the end of the festival, the Ganesh idol is immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake using cranes.

• 50 feet high and 24 feet wide Ganesh idol seated on a ’sarpa simhasanam between goddess Srishakti and lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and Mallanaswamy on the other side.
• Police made security arrangements in the city for the smooth conduct of the ten-day festival.
• More than 14,000 police personnel have been deployed for bandobust duty at Ganesh pandals, important junctions, immersion points and other places in the city besides securitymen, 220 Home Guards and 160 platoons of armed forces posted throughout the state.
• Pickets have been posted at 178 hyper sensitive and 505 sensitive places apart from 239 mobile parties for the festival.
• Nearly 13,000 idols would be immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake in the city on September 14.

108 Ganapathi Namavali

1. Aum Vinayakaya Namah  – Salutation to the remover (of obstacles)
2. Aum Vighnarajaya Namah – Salutation to the ruler of obstacles
3. Aum Gauriputraya Namah – Salutation to the son of Gauri
4. Aum Ganeshvaraya Namah – Salutation to the lord of categories
5. Aum Skandagrajaya Namah – Salutation to Skanda’s elder brother
6. Aum Avyayaya Namah – Salutation to the inexhaustible one
7. Aum Putaya Namah – Salutation to the pure one
8. Aum Dakshaya Namah – Salutation to the skillful one
9. Aum Adhyakshaya Namah – Salutation to the great presider
10. Aum Dvijapriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who loves the twice-born
11. Aum Agnigarvacchhide Namah – Salutation to Him who destroyed the ego of the fire
12. Aum Indrashripradaya Namah – Salutation to the restorer of Indra’s wealth
13. Aum Vanipradaya Namah – Salutation to Him who gives the power of speech
14. Aum Avyayaya Namah – Salutation to the inexhaustible one
15. Aum Sarvasiddhipradaya Namah – Salutation to the bestower of all fulfillment
16. Aum Sarvatanayaya Namah – Salutation to the son of Siva
17. Aum Sharvaripriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is loved by Parvati
18. Aum Sarvatmakaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is the soul of all
19. Aum Srishtikartre Namah – Salutation to the Creator
20. Aum Devaya Namah – Salutation to the Resplendent One
21. Aum Anekarchitaya Namah – Salutation to the one worshiped by multitudes
22. Aum Sivaya Namah – Salutation to the auspicious one
23. Aum Shuddhaya Namah – Salutation to the pure one
24. Aum Buddhipriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is fond of intelligence
25. Aum Shantaya Namah – Salutation to the peaceful one
26. Aum Brahmacharine Namah – Salutation to Him who is celibate
27. Aum Gajananaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has an elephant’s face
28. Aum Dvaimaturaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has two mothers
29. Aum Munistutaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is praised by sages
30. Aum Bhaktavighnavinashanaya Namah – Salutation to the destroyer of devotees’ obstacles
31. Aum Ekadantaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has one tusk
32. Aum Chaturbahave Namah – Salutation to Him who has four arms
33. Aum Chaturaya Namah – Salutation to the ingenious one
34. Aum Shaktisamyutaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is united with power
35. Aum Lambodaraya Namah – Salutation to Him who has a large belly
36. Aum Shurpakarnaya Namah – Salutation to Him with ears like winnowing fans
37. Aum Haraye Namah – Salutation to Him who destroys evil with lion-like courage
38. Aum Brahmaviduttamaya Namah – Salutation to the foremost knower of the supreme God
39. Aum Kalaya Namah – Salutation to the master of destiny
40. Aum Grahapataye Namah – alutation to the lord of all planets and galaxies
41. Aum Kamine Namah – Salutation to Him who is love
42. Aum Somasuryagnilochanaya Namah – Salutation to Him whose eyes are the moon, sun and fire
43. Aum Pashankushadharaya Namah – Salutation to the One who holds a noose and goad
44. Aum Chandaya Namah – Salutation to the One who appears fearsome
45. Aum Gunatitaya Namah – Salutation to Him who transcends qualities
46. Aum Niranjanaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is without blemish
47. Aum Akalmashaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is without impurity
48. Aum Svayamsiddhaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is self-fulfilled and perfect
49. Aum Siddharchitapadambujaya Namah – Salutation to Him whose lotus feet sages worship
50. Aum Bijapuraphalasaktaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is fond of pomegranates
51. Aum Varadaya Namah – Salutation to the bestower of boons
52. Aum Shashvataya Namah – Salutation to the eternal, unchanging one
53. Aum Kritine Namah – Salutation to the skillfully accomplished one
54. Aum Dvijapriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is fond of the twice-born
55. Aum Vitabhayaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is free from fear
56. Aum Gadine Namah – Salutation to Him whose weapon is the mace or club
57. Aum Chakrine Namah – Salutation to Him whose weapon is the discus
58. Aum Ikshuchapadhrite Namah – Salutation to Him who holds the sugarcane bow
59. Aum Shridaya Namah – Salutation to the bestower of great wealth
60. Aum Ajaya Namah – Salutation to the unborn one
61. Aum Utpalakaraya Namah – Hail to Him who holds the upright blue lotus flower
62. Aum Shripataye Namah – Salutation to the Lord of overflowing wealth
63. Aum Stutiharshitaya Namah – Salutation to Him who delights in praise
64. Aum Kuladribhrite Namah – Salutation to Him who supports Himalaya, His family’s mountain
65. Aum Jatilaya Namah – Salutation to Him who wears distinguished matted hair
66. Aum Kalikalmashanashanaya Namah – Salutation to Him who destroys sins in the Kaliyuga
67. Aum Chandrachudamanaye Namah – Salutation to Him who wears a moon upon his head
68. Aum Kantaya Namah – Salutation to the beloved, loving one
69. Aum Papaharine Namah – Salutation to the destroyer of sins
70. Aum Samahitaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is absorbed in meditation
71. Aum Ashritaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is our refuge
72. Aum Shrikaraya Namah – Salutation to Him who manifests prosperity
73. Aum Saumyaya Namah – Salutation to the pleasant one
74. Aum Bhaktavanchhitadayakaya Namah – Salutation to the grantor of devotees’ desires
75. Aum Shantaya Namah – Salutation to the peaceful one
76. Aum Kaivalyasukhadaya Namah – Salutation to the bestower of unsullied liberation
77. Aum Sacchidanandavigrahaya Namah – Salutation to the embodiment of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss
78. Aum Jnanine Namah – Salutation to the great wisdom
79. Aum Dayayutaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is full of compassion
80. Aum Dantaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has self-control
81. Aum Brahmadveshavivarjitaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is free from aversion to knowledge
82. Aum Pramattadaityabhayadaya Namah – Salutation to Him who brings terror to power-intoxicated demons
83. Aum Shrikanthaya Namah – Salutation to Him whose throat is beautiful
84. Aum Vibudheshvaraya Namah – Salutation to the Lord of the Wise
85. Aum Ramarchitaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is worshiped by Rama
86. Aum Vidhaye Namah – Salutation to Him who is the destiny of all
87. Aum Nagarajayajnopavitavate Namah – Salutation to Him whose sacred thread is a king cobra
88. Aum Sthulakanthaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has a stout neck, representing tremendous will and compassion
89. Aum Svayamkartre Namah – Salutation to Him who is the cause of himself
90. Aum Samaghoshapriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who loves the sound of Sama Veda
91. Aum Parasmai Namah – Salutation to Him who is supreme
92. Aum Sthulatundaya Namah – Salutation to Him who has a stout, unpredictable trunk
93. Aum Agranyaya Namah – Salutation to Him, the first-born of Siva
94. Aum Dhiraya Namah – Salutation to the courageous one
95. Aum Vagishaya Namah – Salutation to the Lord of speech
96. Aum Siddhidayakaya Namah – Salutation to the bestower of fulfillment
97. Aum Durvabilvapriyaya Namah – Salutation to Him who loves durva grass and bilva leaves
98. Aum Avyaktamurtaye Namah – Salutation to the manifestation of the Unmanifest
99. Aum Adbhutamurtimate Namah – Salutation to Him of wondrous form
100. Aum Shailendratanujotsanga khelanotsukamanasaya Namah – Salutation to Him who is fond of playing in the lap of His mother, Parvati, daughter of the mountain Lord [Himavat]
101. Aum Svalavanyasudhasarajita manmathavigrahaya Namah – Salutation to Him who defeated Manmatha, the God of love, by His sweet beauty
102. Aum Samastajagadadharaya Namah – Salutation to the supporter of all the worlds
103. Aum Mayine Namah – Salutation to the source of illusory power
104. Aum Mushikavahanaya Namah – Salutation to Him who rides the abundance-gathering mouse
105. Aum Hrishtaya Namah – Salutation to the rapturously joyful one
106. Aum Tushtaya Namah – Salutation to the contented one who has it all in control
107. Aum Prasannatmane Namah – Salutation to the bright loving kindly-souled one
108. Aum Sarvasiddhipradayakaya Namah – Salutation to the grantor of all fulfillment

What is Anant Chaturdashi? How to celebrate It?

Anant Chaturdashi is a day with twin significance.

Ganapati Visarjan : The 14th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad is the day of the immersion of Ganpati.  On this day, the festival of Ganpati comes to an end, the installed Murti’s of Lord Ganpati are taken to a lake, river or a sea in great processions to be immersed in the waters. Thus Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement. ” Ganapati Bappa Morya, Phudchya Varshi Lavkaar Ya ! ”

Ananta Vrat : On this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of God Vishnu who is Anant, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas.

But there is a second significance to the day, and that is what gives Anant Chaturdashi its name. On this day, which is the fourteenth day of the shukla paksha (the bright phase of the moon) in the Indian lunar month of Bhadrapada, people observe a vow in honor of Vishnu. The belief is that if one maintains this vow for 14 years, it will bring immense wealth and spiritual benefit.
Anant Chaturdashi  – The 14 year vrat in honor of Vishnu

The legend connected with the festival is didactic, rather than explanatory, in nature. One day, a Brahmin, Kaundinya, and his wife, Sushila, were on their way home. They stopped by a river because Kaundinya wanted to take a bath.

While he was away, Sushila observed some women praying. When she enquired, they told her that they were observing the Anant Vrata. They told her that if they tied a consecrated string around their wrists and maintained the vrata for 14 years, they would get great material wealth.

Sushila too started observing the Anant Vrata, and soon, she and Kaundinya became wealthy. When Kaundinya noticed the string, he asked Sushila about it. She told him the story. But wealth had made Kaundinya haughty, and dismissing it as mere superstition, he broke the string and threw it away.

From then on, Kaundinya and Sushila started losing their wealth, and soon had nothing. Kaundinya was penitent, and went in search of Anant to get his glory back. But nobody he asked on the way knew who or where Anant was.

In the end, a desperate Kaundinya prepared to commit suicide. At that moment, an old man approached and took Kaundinya to a cave. Once inside the dark cave, the old man turned into Vishnu, and told Kaundinya that he would regain his lost happiness and wealth if he observed the Anant Vrata for 14 years.

How to celebrate?

On Anant Chaturdashi, the image of a hooded cobra is fashioned out of darbha (grass), and is worshipped with flowers and incense as Anant, the divine snake on whom Lord Vishnu lies. Special dishes – Gharga and Anarse are made and  offered to the darbha snake. A string, coated with red kumkum, is placed before the idol or picture of Vishnu. Then, the consecrated string, called anant, is tied to the wrist. Men tie it on their right hands, and women, on their left.

The number 14 is considered sacred for this vow. On this fourteenth day of the moon, 14 floral decorations are made. Similarly, 14 artis and food items are offered to the deity. The vrata is observed for 14 years, and ends on the fifteenth Anant Chaturdashi day.

What Swami Sivananda Recommends for Ganesh Chaturthi?

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your
house. Feel His Presence in it.

Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!

Spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

Ganesh chaturthi is fast approaching and you might be excited to celebrate it with gusto. This year (2010) on September 11 starts the gala celebrations of Ganesh chaturthi. Yes. We all celebrate. But would you like to know the spirit that makes the celebrations more meaningful?! Please read on to know!

Ganesh chaturthi is one of the grandest and most elaborate festivals that Indians celebrate. Especially in the state of Maharastra, Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days. It begins on the fourth day of shukla chaturthi and ends on the day of ananta chaturdasi. The power of Lord Ganesha is invoked on the first day; worshipped elaborately in decorated pandals for 9 days; and on the tenth day he is bid farewell by immersing in water bodies.

But now-a-days Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated just as some mundane party or get-together, aiming only at external activities. You might have noticed such a thing in the places where mass of people sing mundane cinema songs and dance wildly without knowing what are they doing this for. There is no connection to Lord Ganesh. Some do not even know who is Lord Ganesha and what is his significance. This is sorry state of affair.

Celebrations of Ganesh chaturthi festival can be meaning only by knowing the philosophy behind Lord Ganesh and contemplating his significance in one’s life.

Significance of Lord Ganesha
Hindu scriptures describe Ganesha as son of Lord Shiva, who is empowered to remove obstacles in the path of success. He is one of the five prime Hindu deities. He is worshipped at the beginning of every major venture. He is glorified in following vedic mantra:

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe

“O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!”

The figure below shows Ganesha symbolism

Lord Ganesha should be worshipped with great reverence and respect. It is best celebrated with the spirit of enthusiasm for wisdom and knowledge. One should take resolutions on the day of Ganesha chaturthi. One should contemplate what is the goal of his or her life and how to achieve that goal. What are the obstacles on the way of your goal. What is your idea of success. Then you should pray to Lord Ganesha for help in achieving the goal. This is the real meaning of worshipping Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha is pleased when the devotee prays for success of all humanity. Ganesh chaturthi should unify all and direct everyone towards the success of human life, salvation.

We hope this article have given direction in the matter of how to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi meaningfully. We wish our readers a very happy and successful Ganesh Chaturthi!

How to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a Traditional Way?

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. For believers of Hindu philosophy and religion, Ganesh is considered to be the supreme god of wisdom, fortune and prosperity. While the festival is celebrated throughout India and other parts of the world with much pomp and show, the celebration turns most elaborate in Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The origin of the festival lies in the holy scriptures of the Hindus. There is a legend that goes behind the creation of Lord Ganesha and why He is worshipped at every auspicious occasion and festival before any other form of God. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrates the creation of Lord Ganesha amidst prayers and chanting of mantras and Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda.

The festival begins 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, when the making of a credible clay model of Lord Ganesha begins. The size of the model varies and may go up to 25 feet. It is placed on elaborated platforms for people to view and pay their homage on the day of the festival. A priest chants Vedic mantras and instills life into the idol, a ritual called ‘Pranpratisththa’.

This festival is widely celebrated for 10 days in Hyderabd & Secunderabad with the devotees praying bhajans for lord ganesha. Some of the popular bhajans are listed below.

• “Gaja Vadana Gajaanana”
• “Vinayaganae vinai theerpavanae”

Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja:

Ganesh pooja is done by all the family members on the day of ganesh chaturthi. The pooja is performed with the following items.

• Idol of Lord Ganesha
• Flowers
• Coconut
• Chandan
• Agarbathis

The idol of lord ganesh is kept in the raised platform and with the presence of all the family members. Then pooja is performed by praying bhajans.

Ganesha Chaturthi Recipes:

This festival is celebrated along with the preparation of a lot of recipes. Some of the famous recipes that are prepared for the festival are:

• Kolakattai
• Ladoo
• Rawa Ladoo
• Puliyotharai
• Sundal
• Boli
• Milk Kheer
• Adirasam

Prospects of Ganesha Chaturthi:

• Business man who aims for success in his life and business.
• For curing the health related problems.
• Blessings to get good education, health and peaceful life.