The festival Ganesh Chaturthi is held on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksh or the waxing moon in the Hindu Calender. Ganesh chaturthi is one of the well known Hindu festivals of India. Just as Durga Puja is for Bengalis, Onam for Malayalees and Pongal for Tamil people, Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival for Marathis in India. Hence, the festival is celebrated with great fun across Maharashtra. In addition to this, the Telugu people in Andhra Pradesh celebrate this festive with religious observance, just like that done in Maharashtra. People, in both the States, dance around beautifully decorated oversized idols of Lord Ganesha. A temporary puja pandal is set up, where the idol of Lord Ganesha is worshipped.

Ganesh Chaturthi holds significance in a number of ways.

• It has its root in the legendary stories of Hindu epics, and hence, termed as a religious festival.

•  Secondly, it is a wonderful opportunity for social gathering, as pujas are held at temporarily installed puja pandals. Therefore, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the important festival of among all festival in India.

 When it comes to festivals, it is obvious that people would exchange messages and greetings, in order to convey their heartfelt wishes. 

                              

HISTORY

Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most famous Hindu festival in India. It is the day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati was born. The day thus marks the auspicious birth of Ganesha. The day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in many parts of the India. It is celebrated on of fourth day of the waxing moon period in the month of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated with full of celebration and joy in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for ten days.

ORIGIN

The story behind it as- Lord Shiva was away from Kailash due to some work. As Parvati was alone at home, for security and privacy she felt the necessity of some one to guard the door to her house while she took bath. When she did not get any one, she thought of an idea of creating a son who could guard her. She then created Ganesha out of her sandalwood paste and bringing him into existance. She then asked him to stand on the gate and do not let any body enter the door. Unfortunately, Shiva returned home at the time when ganesha was guarding the door. As, Ganesha didn't recognize him, he stopped Shiva from entering as per his mother's instructions. This makes Lord Shiva angry, who cut off Ganesha's head by his tridant. When Parvati saw Ganesha without head, she took on the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened to destruct all the three worlds.

All the three worlds "trilok" was shaken and every body ran to Shiva for solution. In order to calm Lord Parvati and save the world from destruction, Lord Shiva sent out his followers to find any child whose mother is neglecting him, cut off his head and bring it quickly. The first such child that came in the eyes of them was elephant, so they brought the head of this elephant and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and gave life into him. This makes Parvati happy and she become calm. They named her Ganesha i.e the Lord of all Ganas (followers).

Ganesh Aarti