Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: The arrival of Lord Ganesha marks the beginning of auspicious celebrations of the 10-day Ganeshotsav. Learn the auspicious rules for bringing and placing Lord Ganesha at home for Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India, especially in the state of Maharashtra. This year it will be be celebrated from Tuesday, September 19 to Thursday, September 28. Bringing and placing Lord Ganesha at home is a sacred act that should be done with care and respect. The arrival of Lord Ganesha marks the beginning of auspicious celebrations of the 10-day festival.
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This heartfelt journey begins with meticulous preparations: selecting an auspicious day and time, creating a pristine space, and procuring the idol. The moment of invitation, laden with prayers and mantras, ushers in an air of anticipation and reverence. Families, whether through grand processions or quiet moments of reflection, embark on a spiritual voyage, culminating in the placement of the idol on a beautifully adorned altar. Daily worship rituals, offerings of sweet modaks, and the warm glow of lamps continue the sacred connection.
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GANESH CHATURTHI 2023: RULES TO BRING AND PLACE LORD GANESHA AT HOME
1. Choose an Auspicious Time: Consult a Hindu calendar or a priest to select an auspicious day and time for bringing Lord Ganesha home. This time is often referred to as the “muhurat” and is considered important for starting the festivities.
2. Prepare the Space: Clean the area where you intend to place the idol. Make sure it’s tidy and free from clutter. Set up a special altar or platform (usually made of wood or metal) for the idol’s placement.
Decorate it with fresh flowers, rangoli (decorative patterns), and other ornaments.
3. Obtain the Idol: Purchase or prepare a Ganesh idol. You can choose from various sizes and materials, but eco-friendly clay idols are encouraged to minimize environmental impact.
Before bringing the idol home, it is essential to perform a “pranapratishtha” ritual, which involves invoking the deity into the idol. This can be done by a priest or a knowledgeable family member.
4. Invitation and Procession: On the chosen day and time, invite Lord Ganesha to your home with devotion and a pure heart. Chant prayers and mantras while welcoming Him.
Some families organize a procession to bring the idol home, accompanied by music and dance. Others simply carry it inside the house with reverence.
5. Place the idol on the prepared altar or platform. Ensure it faces east or north, which are considered auspicious directions. Offer flowers, incense, and lamps to the deity. Light a lamp or diya as a symbol of His divine presence.
6. Perform daily puja (worship) to Lord Ganesha. This includes offering fresh flowers, modaks (sweet dumplings), fruits, incense, and other items. Recite prayers, mantras, and bhajans (devotional songs) dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
7. It’s customary to offer naivedya (food) to Lord Ganesha. Modaks and laddus are often His favorite sweets. Light the lamp (deepa) during morning and evening aarti (ritual of waving a lit lamp).
8. Maintain a sense of devotion and purity in your heart and actions while worshiping Lord Ganesha. Seek His blessings for the well-being of your family, the removal of obstacles, and success in your endeavors.
9. On the last day of the festival or as per your tradition, immerse the idol in a natural water body (river, sea, or lake) with a grand procession. This symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s return to his heavenly abode.
10. Use eco-friendly materials for decorations and offerings to minimize environmental impact, especially during immersion.
