Ganesh Chaturthi (Birth Festival of The Lord)

 Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. This day is one of the most popular in Hindu festivals.It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world Clay figures of the Deity are made and after being worshipped for two days or in some cases after ten days they are merged into the water. 

Ganesha was a moving spirit for the Indian nationalists. It was around 1893 that the great nationalist Balgangadhar Tilak began to organize the Ganesh Utsav and the festival was a rallying point for the nationalists. As a social and religious function Ganesha Chaturthi has been celebrated throughout Maharashtra with great enthusiasm since.

Ganesha was a moving spirit for the Indian nationalists. It was around 1893 that the great nationalist Balgangadhar Tilak began to organize the Ganesh Utsav and the festival was a rallying point for the nationalists. As a social and religious function Ganesha Chaturthi has been celebrated throughout Maharashtra with great enthusiasm since.

Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing. Indeed, he is the most popular deity in today’s India. 

Ganesh is usually depicted colored red; as one tusk broken, and has four arms that may hold a pasam, a goad, and a pot of rice or sweets.His appetite for these sweets is legendary and offerings of them are often left at his shrine. With enormous body and appetite, he rides a small mouse! He has big ears and small eyes. For his super intellect and sharp memory, he is humble and served as a scribe to great Vyasa who wrote (dictated) the Mahabharata. He is considered Ameya (beyond measure), and aprameya (beyond visualization (riddles)). It is perhaps only to represent the omniscient form of the almighty that Ganesha is worshipped. Statues of Ganesh can be found in most Indian towns. His image is placed where new houses are to be built; he is honoured at the start of a journey or business venture, and poets traditionally invoke him at the start of a book.

According to Tantra Philosophy He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides.

• The Great Saint Swami Sivananda On the Ganesh Chaturthi day

Meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning,
during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the
temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and
sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the
obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at
home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of
Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it. Don"t look at the moon

while praying Lord Ganesha. It will offend Him. Avoid the company of all those

who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from

this very day. Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha

for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
Lord Ganesha is a benign God. He listens to His followers" prayers.
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all
the obstacles that come your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all
material prosperity as well as liberation!
 

This god of wisdom has two wives, Siddhi and Buddhi. Sidlhi is achievement and Buddhi is intellect. These two, together, when fully utilized, lead one towards wisdom. But it is the celibate God Ganapati who is most  popular as god of learning, especially among students. Schooling in India starts with homage to Ganesha and early lettering to kids starts with "shri ganeshaya namah." In his first lesson in the alphabet a Maharashtrian child is initiated into the Mantra of Lord Ganesha, Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah. Only then is the alphabet taught.