Ganesh Chaturthi

Lord Ganesh is considered as a symbol of wisdom and a luck charm. His elephant head symbolizes wisdom. His small shrewd eyes and long ears are known to miss nothing. The long trunk of his can smell anything. The mouse, which is his vehicle, reflects how important the smaller forms of life are. Lord Ganesh is also known as a great clearer of obstacles (vigneshwara). Any kind of program or work or even new ventures, like new company is started with a prayer of lord Ganesh.

Mythology:

According to the legend, Lord Shiva left kailasa for a long time as theer was a war between the gods and demons. His wife, Parvati, bored of being alone, used her divine powers to create a son, whome she named Ganesh. She gave him the responsibility of protecting the house. After the war when Lord Shiva returned victorious to his home, Parvati was in her bath. Ganesh refused to allow lord shiva inside the house not knowing who he was. Angry at the denial by Ganesh, Lord Shiva chopped off the boy's head.

When Parvati came to see what happened she was shocked to see her son dead. Lord Shiva, to pacify her, promised to replace the head of Ganesh with that of the first creature that came up the hill. The first visitor who walked up the hill was an elephant, so his head was cut off and placed on that of Lord Ganesh and life was put back into him.

Lord Shiva then gave Ganesh the powers of a God and said that no activity will begin without taking his name or blessings. Since then, it is said, no new venture or an inauguration of a company, the opening of a shop, the foundation of a building, entering a new home - is complete by Hindus without a Ganesh puja.

The festival:

Ganesh is worshipped on the 4th day of every month of the Hindu calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as his birthday. Ladoos are an important ingredient during the festival. They are distributed to relatives and friends by tradition. ladoos are also placed in corners of the house and eaten just before the meal. Milk also is offered to the idols of lord Ganesh at home and even sometimes at temples. Ganesh puja is also performed at all temples.

Important aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi rituals in India include feasting and distribution of sweets offered to Lord Ganesh. Hindus position the idol of Lord Ganesha temporarily in their houses. They are made in different shapes and sizes. These idols are made especially for the occasion by cottage industries and small street side artisans. After all the nine days of prayers and those that do not wish to keep the idol any longer, immerse them in the nearest water body (like rivers, lakes or the sea).

Tilak's contribution to Ganesh Chaturdi:

One of Tilak's strongest movements to evoke nationalism is through the organisation of festivals like Ganesh chaturthi. Through this kind of organization they inspired feelings of Hindu unity and also gave freedom fighters an opportunity to meet when the British was against any gatherings, writings and slogans that could incite violence.

Because of Tilak , Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a big way. Thousands of gigantic idols of lord Ganesh are immersed with the help of huge cranes in various water bodies. The people in the processions shout loudly, "Ganapati Bapa Morya".