VINAYAKA CHATURTHI
Vinayaka (Ganesh) Chaturthi (also known chavathi Gaṇēśa Chaturthī or Vināyaka Chaviti) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of lord Ganesh. This is a very auspicious day celebrated to pray to the god so that every new activity that is started is successfully completed without any obstacles .(Vighna = Obstacle). He is the God of knowledge. (Knowledge = gyan)
Chaturthi (Sanskrit: चतुर्थी) means "fourth day" or "fourth state". Celebrations are traditionally held on the fourth day of the second fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in every month and is also known as "Vinayaka Chathurti", but the biggest annual celebration in the month of Bhaadrapada in the Hindu calendar, usually is August or September in the Gregorian calendar. Badrapad corresponds to Virgo (simha/avani-tamil) in solar calendar. The festival generally lasts ten days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight.
It is celebrated throughout India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. There is a grand celebration in the state of Maharashtra and Telangana by traditional instrument called dhol and tasha. It is also celebrated in the other parts of India suchas Gujarat, Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala, Goa,[1] Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and other parts of western[2] and southern India.[3] Abroad, Ganesha Chaturthi is observed in Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora in the United States, Canada and Mauritius.[4] All the big Ganesh statues are made in Andhra Pradesh.
Who started Ganesh festival?
With the fall of the Peshwas, the Ganesha festival lost state patronage and became a private family celebration in Maharashtra until its revival by Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak.
How many days Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated?
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles. Observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September), it lasts for 10 days, ending on the tenth day which is called Ananta Chaturdashi.