India, the land of festivals, is celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is also called Ganesh Chaturthi. It is mainly celebrated in the north of India, especially in the state of Maharashtra. Ganesha or the elephant headed God is considered as the son of Lord Shiva and his better half, Goddess Parvati. The legendary story behind the head being of an elephant is very interesting. Once Goddess Parvati was bathing and she made Lord Ganesha stand by the door, to watch that no one enters, when she is bathing. At that time Lord Shiva came home, and Ganesha would not allow him in. Lord Shiva was furious and after a fight, he severed little Ganeshas head. Goddess Parvati could not be pacified of her sorrow and anger! Lord Shiva, promised her to bring him back to life by putting another head on his body, this is how Ganesha got the head of an elephant.

The name Ganapati as Lord Ganesha is fondly called, means “Head of the Ganas.”Ganas are Lord Shiva’s attendants. Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of ten days. A clay model of Lord Ganapati is brought by the Hindu devotees and kept in their homes and in many public places. It is worshipped in the morning and in the evening and on the tenth day it is immersed in a waterbody. The waterbody can be a lake, river or the sea.  In some places the idols are kept for one, three or five days based on the convenience of the people. During these days many sweet dishes and variety of food are prepared. Sweets are a must, as it is believed that Ganapati liked sweets. Ganapati is considered as a Vighnakarta and a Vighnahartaa. The former means, obstacle creator, in the path of the unjust and the latter means obstacle remover, from the path of his true devotees. The organizers of the festival celebrate these ten days with much pomp and pleasure. There are small statues of Lord Ganesh, and at times the statues are 10-20 feet tall. Artisans make good business.

During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, businessmen, organizers and people from various groups approach them to buy the idols. The artisans put in all their effort to make the idols as creative and beautiful as possible. The festival usually falls between September and October. We kids eagerly await the Ganesh Chaturthi to eat the variety of savouries made. This year I wish may Lord Ganesha come to each and everyones houses and hearts and be a Vighnahartaa for his devotees. Let’s all sing together, “Ganpati Bappa Mourya, pudchya varshi lavkar ya!” (Lord Ganesha, next year come soon)