Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhi

The elephant headeddeity, Lord Ganesh is worshipped in the Bhadrapada month following a sixteen step procedure known as Shodashopachara in accordance with Hindu scriptures. The best time to perform Ganesh puja is Madhyahnakala (afternoon); however, this puja can also be done during Pratahkala (morning) or Sayankala (evening).The worship of the Lord is conducted sincerely according to the Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhi.

• A chowki or pedestal is placed where the puja or worship is to commence and the pedestal is covered with a red cloth.
• Either a clay idol or a picture of the deity is placed on the pedestal.This is followed by Pranopchar and Shodashopachara, both of which are importantparts of Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhi.
• Pranopchar: Pranopchar means invoking life into the clay idol.
  • The worship or puja begins with the lighting of the earthen lamp and incense sticks.
  • Then prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha to invoke his blessings.
  • Holy water is sprinkled on the idol.
  • Sacred thread is then offered to the idol, to represent the offering of clothes to the deity.
  • Tilak of Roli or sindoor is then applied to the deity’s forehead.
  • Next, modak or laddoo, gangajal or holy water(drawn from the river Ganges) and flower garlands are offered to the idol.
• Shodashopachara
  • Avahana: Avahana literally means to welcome and invoke the blessings of gods and goddesses. At this stage, the Avahan Mudra is observed by joining the palms of the hand, and mantra is chanted.
  • Pratishthapan: The next step is installing the clay idol while chanting mantra.
  • Asana Samarpan: After the rituals of establishing and invoking the Lord, prayers are offered along with flowers. This is known as Anjali. All along chanting of mantras take place.
  • Padya Samarpan: Padya in Hindi means feet and Padya Samarpan is offering water to Lord Ganesh to wash his feet. Chanting of mantras continues through this process.
  • Arghya Samarpan: This step involves the offering of perfume to Lord Ganesha while sacred mantras are chanted.
  • Achamana: This is another ritual of offering water to the Lord.
  • Snana Mantra: This is offering water for bathing.
  • Panchamrita Snanam: Panchamrita means five elixirs. Honey, milk, curd, sugar and ghee are offered to the deity for his bath.
  • Dugdha, Dadhi, Ghrita, Madhu, Sharkara, Suvasita& Shuddhodaka Snanam: Bathing the Lord with milk curd, ghee, honey, sugar and perfumed oil or holy water in order.
  • Vastra Samarpan: Offering new attire to the lord.
  • Pushpa Mala, Shami Patra, Durvankura, Sindoor, Dhoop, Gandha and Akshata Samarpan: Offering the lord, flower garland, leaves, grass, vermilion, incense sticks,perfume and unbroken rice respectively.
  • Tambula, Narikela and Dakshina Samarpan: Betel nut, coconut and gifts are offered.
  • Neerajan and Visarjan: Finally the worship of Lord Ganesh concludes with Visarjan which means drowning the idol in water.

The Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhi is strictly observed all over India while conducting the ceremonial festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.