GANESH CHATURTHI
Falling around the months of August /
September every year, Bhadrapada Suddha Chavithi is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi
or Vinayaka Chavithi commemorating the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh.
Vinayaka Vratam :
Just as any other festival, the day starts
well before sunrise. People take head baths and perform the "Vinayaka Vratam"
traditionally. A stage is set up for the Ganesh puja and a square structure built of thin
bamboo sticks called the Palavelli is placed above the stage. This Palavelli is
decorated with mango leaves, Lotuses and a variety of fruits hung to it.
 A mud idol of
Ganesh is traditionally placed on the stage in the northeastern direction and is
worshipped with utmost devotion using flowers and 21 varieties of Patri (specific
varieties of leaves). The most important of the patri is garika, the grass
leaves with three leaflets. The legend revealing the birth of Lord Ganesh and sanctity of
the vratam are chanted and the Katha Akshatalu are taken on the
devotees’ heads. As is held, the number 21 is very dear for the Lord and thus he is
also offered 21 dishes as prasad. One special dish made on the occasion is "Undrallu"
a sweet made of coconut sweet and rice flour.
As it is customary for people to worship
Lord Ganesh at the beginning of any task as the remover of all obstacles for success,
children keep their books near the idol to seek the blessings of the Lord. Likewise,
tradesmen place their tools of trade in puja. It is believed that the Lord bestows wisdom,
good fortune and prosperity and also ‘helps’ to prevent natural calamities. Puja
is performed both morning and evening as long as the Idol is in the house. The idol is
traditionally taken out for Nimarjan into the nearby waters after the nine-day puja
from Ganesh Chaturthi. However, the immersion is also done on the odd-numbered days
according to the convenience, barring Tuesdays & Fridays.
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