Happy Gowri Ganesha Festival

Hi friends. Yesterday, was September 2nd, and the whole of India celebrated the Gowri habba in grand style.

And whats more ? Today is September 3rd, and today is one of the most auspicious day as today is Ganesha Chaturthi , and thus i am wishing the entire people of India a very very Happy Ganesha Chaturthi.

Now for people, who does not know anything about this festival, here is a small story about the festival--

An idol of Gowri made of clay is brought two days before the Ganesha festival. Gowri is an incarnation of Parvathi. Gowri Habba, also called as Swarna Gowri Habba is celebrated one day before Ganesha Festival. And this time, it was celebrated on September 2nd,2008.

And the next day is, the Ganesha Chaturthi, which is celebrated on September 3rd, 2008, which is today.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is celebrated all over India. In South India, it is celebrated with great fervor and excitement, especially in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Thousands of clay idols of Lord Ganesha are made in every size, pose, form and colour during this time.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi (Gowri). Lord Ganesha is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. In Karnataka, one of the southern states of India, before the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, people indulge themselves in Gowri Pooja. On this auspicious day Goddess Parvathi is worshipped, especially by married women, for the longevity of their marriage and to achieve marital bliss.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, is the remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped first in any prayers. Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss.

This important festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period), which usually falls in August/September. This year this festival is celebrated on 3rd September 2008, according to the calendars. During this festival, in every house an image of Lord Ganesha is worshipped, made out of clay or brass, which lasts for about 10 days starting from Ganesh Chaturthi day. Special prayers are held in Ganesha temples and the devotees offer him coconuts and sweet puddings.

In South India, the main sweet-dish during the festival is modakam(also known as Kadabu) which is Ganesha's favorite sweet. Modakam is a dumpling made from rice flour, stuffed with coconut and jaggery, steam cooked or deep fried. Another sweet-dish made during this festival in Karnataka is karanjikai, in the shape of a 4th day moon. After the ritual worship, these sweets are distributed as "prasadams" (sacred food) to the people present there.

After worshiping for two days or some cases ten days, the image is taken in grand procession ceremoniously for immersion in the sea. It is considered inauspicious to keep the image after this day.

Lord Ganesha's vehicle is a small mouse, which signifies the complete conquest over egoism. He has a snake tied around his belly. His origin has a philosophical aspect to it. The whole cosmos is compared to the belly of God. In every Hindu house an image of Lord Ganesh can be seen, with sweet puddings in hand, wide ears and long hanging trunk.

It is believed that on one of His birthdays, Ganesha was going around house to house accepting his favorite offerings of sweet dishes. Suddenly his vehicle, the mouse stumbled down seeing a snake and Lord Ganesh fell down, which made the moon laugh at him. Annoyed, he pulled out one of his tusks and hurled it against the moon, and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. If anyone does, he will surely earn a bad name.

So friends, probably, there is no Hindu in this world, who does not pray to Lord Ganesha. So, here's wishing once again a very Happy Gowri and Ganesha festival. And, if you are looking forward to head out to temples, then you better go to "Dodda Ganapati" temple at Hanumanthnagar(opp to BMSCE), Bangalore as there are a variety of programmes, that have been organised for the devotees. Also, its really nice to watch the "Dodd Ganapati" . And friends, trust me, whatever you ask , it will definitely bw fiulfilled in that temple. So, what are you all waiting for ? Rush to the Dodda Ganapati temple( or any other Vinayaka temple) now and get blessed by the God on this auspicious day.