Ganesh Chaturthi
We arrived in India on the 14th August 2022. The first major festival that we experienced therefore was Ganesh Chaturti, or Ganpati as it is also know.
We made sure that we got out and joined in. More on that later in the blog, but first some context for what it is all about.
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh. During this festival Ganesh comes to earth to bless his followers and remove any obstacles that are in their way.
What is Ganpati?
Ganpati is technically another name for Ganesh. However, at least around Bengaluru, Ganpati is regularly used interchangeably for the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
As you will see through this blog there are lots of differences in terms of what happens during festivals in different parts of the country or in different communities.
Who is Ganesh?
For the casual observer (which is what I was when I arrived) Ganesh is the most easily recognisable of the major gods because of his distinctive elephant head.
He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and brother of Kartikeya.
There are many super interesting stories about Ganesh ranging from why he has an elephant head with one broken tusk to why he has such a sweet tooth. Some of these stories are unique to different parts of the country. Keep checking back as I will write a separate blog specifically on Ganesh and the other key Hindu deities and will link to that here when I do.
What does he represent?
There are many important, entertaining and insightful stories associated with Ganesh. Including the Puranas, Upanishads as well as being the scribe for the Mahabharata. These stories emphasise the importance of knowledge, intelligence, humility and devotion, whilst also offering valuable life lessons.
What is his Vahana (or vehicle)?
Every major god in Hinduism has a vahana, or vehicle, which you’ll often see alongside the deity in idols and paintings. For Ganesha, his vahana is Mushika, a humble mouse. Yes, a mouse is the transport for an elephant-headed god! But it makes perfect sense:
- Resourcefulness: A mouse can squeeze through the tiniest of openings, making it the perfect companion for the Remover of Obstacles.
- Humility: The mouse’s seemingly small and insignificant nature aligns with Ganesha’s humility and his recognition of potential in all beings, no matter their size.
What is his key role?
Ganesha is famously known as the remover of obstacles. This makes him the go-to deity at the start of any new endeavor or journey, as his blessings are believed to ensure a smooth and successful path. You’ll often see Ganesha placed at the entrance of temples, symbolizing the transition from the ordinary world into the sacred, spiritual realm.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is determined by the lunar calendar. The term “Chaturthi” means “fourth” in Sanskrit, marking the fourth day after the new moon in the month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in late August or early September. The festival kicks off on this day, but the celebrations will last for several days.
What happens on Ganesh Chaturthi?
When we arrived we were really excited about Ganesh Chaturthi and we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss it. We were still staying in a hotel at the time and so we eagerly asked reception when exactly Ganesh Chaturthi was going to happen and where we should see it.
They patiently, politely and a little sympathetically, told us that it was on Wednesday and “some time” later people would be submerging the idols in water. That was all we could get out of them. Undeterred we asked the concierge, a waiter, the gardener and our driver – same answer! We turned to the internet and found many posts confidently telling us conflicting versions of events.
That day, we learned two important lessons:
- The Concept of “Some Time”: Don’t expect a strict schedule for these events.
- The Fluidity of Time: Embrace the flexibility!
Our Experience:
In Bengaluru, here’s what you can generally expect:
- Before the Festival: In the weeks leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi, you’ll notice stalls popping up along the roads, selling Ganesha idols in all shapes, sizes, and colors—mostly made from clay.
- On Ganesh Chaturthi: Families and communities install these idols in their homes or communal spaces, adorning them with decorations and performing pujas (prayers).
- Immersion of the Idols: A few days later—typically an odd number of days like 5, 7, 9, or 11—the idols are taken to a body of water and immersed. This ritual symbolizes Ganesha’s return to his heavenly abode, carrying away any bad luck that might have been headed your way.
The immersion will often be preceded with a procession with chanting and drumming. We live in Whitefield, not far from Vartur lake, which is an ideal immersion spot. Therefore, for many days following Ganesh Chaturthi the streets are filled with even more traffic than usual as large Ganesha idols, often perched on tractors, made their way to the lake. The sheer joy of everyone involved is contagious, and it’s well worth the delays. Remember, one of Ganesha’s virtues is patience—so embrace it too! 😊
This experience will certainly differ in other cities, so good luck wherever you celebrate!
Ganesh Chaturthi Wishes
A simple “Happy Ganesh Chaturthi” is fine.
If you wanted to get more elaborate then add something like “may all obstacles be removed from your path” or wishes of joy, wisdom, good health and prosperity would also be appropriate.
Is Ganesh Chaturthi a School Holiday?
Ganesh Chaturthi is usually a school holiday in most states across India.
However, it’s only a public holiday in the 10 states that celebrate it most enthusiastically, including Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Remember, if a festival day falls on a weekend that is that. The public holiday does not carry over to the next working day, unlike in some other countries.
With so many different festivals recognized by holidays in different states, it can be a bit tricky to keep track! We’ve found this resource helpful: Public Holidays in India.
Where is it best to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
Mumbai is widely recognized as the city that goes all out for Ganesh Chaturthi. If you can’t make it to Mumbai, don’t worry—there will probably be plenty of options in your own city.
In Bengaluru, make sure to check out the Sri Sathya Ganapati Temple in JP Nagar. This is where we came face-to-face with a 25-foot-tall Ganesh made from one lakh (100,000) flowers. They’ve also created Ganesh idols out of banknotes in the past, so there’s a good chance they’ll try to outdo themselves each year!
