Regional Names Of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular Hindu festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra and commences on the fourth day (Shukla Chaturthi) and ends on the fourteenth day (Ananth Chaturdasi) of the waxing moon period.There are different regional names of Ganesh Chaturthi in various states of India. In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, this festival is called Vinayaka Chaturthi, whereas in Tamil Nadu it is known as Pillayar Chaturthi. Parab or Chavath are popular names of this festival in Goa. In Kerala, it is known as Lamboodhara Piranalu.

The various regional names of Ganesh Chaturthi reveal the myriad characteristics of Lord Ganesha. Vinayaka comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Vishesharupen nayakaha’, which means nayak or leader.According to some ancient scriptures of Manavgruhyasutra, Vinayakganas, (attendants of Vinayak) are troublesome. Vinayaka is endowed with powers to destroy the Vinayakganas. Since this festival is celebrated on the fourth fortnight of the waxing moon period, it is called Vinayak Chaturthi. All over India this festival is known by different regional names of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Pillayar is the popular Tamil name of GodGanesh. Pille means child in Tamil and Pillayar means “noble child”. Lord Shiva is a popular deity in Tamil culture and so his child is referred to as noble. Some scholars believe that pallu or pela means tusk of an elephant. Thus Piliyar means young one of an elephant. In Tamil Nadu, lord Ganesh is renowned as Ganapati or Piliyar. This word Piliyar is limited to the South Indian community.

Goans celebrate this festival with a lot of extravaganza playing instruments like Ghumot, shamel etc. In Goa, it is called Parb or Parva, which means propitious celebration.

There are umpteen regional names of Ganesh Chaturthi but the core essence of this festival is destroying the obstacles in the path of attaining spiritual knowledge.