Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Process

Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular Hindu festival is celebrated all over India. Ganesh puja starts from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi and ends on Ananta Chaturdashi. The puja process and rituals differs slightly according to the regions and traditions all over the India. According to the ancient scriptures, the Ganesh idol sculpted from mud is to be held in the left palm, sanctified there itself with the name Siddhivinayak and plunged into water immediately. The Ganesh devotees were not satisfied with such fleeting celebrations and so Ganesh Chaturthi puja process 1.5 days, 7 or 9 days in different parts of India.

• The puja begins with the meticulous cleaning of the house and installation of a pedestal or moda for placing the clay idol on it.
• After placing the idol on the pedestal, it is anointed with sandalwood paste and kumkum and decorated with flowers.
• The worship commences with Pranprathistha or invoking life into the idol while chanting sacred mantras.
• A sixteen fold prayer procedure, known as Shodashopachara is observed.
• 21 blades of Druva grass, 21 Modaks, 21 of the sweet of PanchKhadya (5 types of dry fruits- cashews, almonds, pistachio, raisins and dry dates) 21 Tambulam (Betel nut), jiggery, assorted flowers like rose, marigold etc are offered to the lord.
• Worship of the lord concludes with reciting 108 names of Lord Ganesha, followed by Arti and distribution of Prasad (cut and blessed fruits). Vedic hymns from Ganpati Atharva Shirsha, Ganesha stotra and devotional songs are sung all through the puja days.
• Visarjan is the final step of Ganesh Chaturthi puja process. Certain rituals are followed like during arti and offering curd, garland, coconuts, camphor, and sweets during the Visarjan.

The Ganesh Chaturthi puja process is quite an elaborate one, observed all over India with a lot of fanfaronade..

The elephant Headed deity, Lord Ganesh is worshipped in the Bhadrapada month following a sixteen step procedure, known as Shodashopachara, according to the Hindu religion. The best time to perform Ganesh puja is Madhyahnakala that is during the afternoon, although this puja also can be done during the Pratahkala (morning) or Sayankala (evening).The worship of the lord is done sincerely following the Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhi.