|
| A
life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh
Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival,
it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor
tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red
silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras.
This ritual is the pranapratishhtha. After this the shhodashopachara (16 ways
of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas (rice flour preparation),
21 durva (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with
red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig
Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad and Ganesha stotra from the Narada
Purana are chanted |
| | For
10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is
worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession
accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing
a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while
taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession
shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha,
come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and
camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it. The
whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. These also
serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for
the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days
of the festival. |
