It is one of India’s favorite festivals, and it is associated with the god of new beginnings and the remover of problems, Lord Ganesha. The festival is filled with excitement and is celebrated by the people with great zeal and devotion. During such celebrations, it brings the heart of the people together. Let’s come to the details about the date and auspicious time, along with other essential facts about Ganesh Chaturthi 2024.
Date and Auspicious Time
Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024 falls on Monday, September 9th. The festival, however, generally lasts for 10 days and concludes with the immersion of Ganesha idols in water bodies on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. It is a farewell to Lord Ganesha, praying that he return early next year.
Ganesh Sthapana, or the best time to bring Lord Ganesha home, is between Madhyahna, which is considered most auspicious. The Muhurat for Madhyahna Ganesha Puja in 2024 is from 11:02 AM to 1:30 PM. This ritual invites prosperity and removes all obstacles from your life if performed during this time.
Fasting Rules
Many people believe in fasting to pray for the blessings of Lord Ganesha. If you intend to fast, here are some simple rules for you to follow:
Who Can Fast? A fast can be kept by anyone irrespective of age and gender. However, a person who is ill, a pregnant woman, or one suffering from particular health conditions should consult a doctor before keeping the fast.
What to Eat? Fruits, milk, and other light foods that are considered sattvic or pure may be taken to observe the fast. You must avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and grains. Some devotees prefer to observe a complete fast where their survival is only on water or fruit juices.
Fasting Duration: The fast is normally observed from sunrise to sunset, but some devotees carry on the fast till the Ganesh Visarjan on the last day of the festival.
Rituals and Celebrations
Ganesh Chaturthi is a very close-to-the-heart festival for Hindus. The celebrations are not restricted to worship alone but extend to the social bonding of people coming together to celebrate the occasion with excitement and happiness. The houses and public places light up with lights and flowers, and bhajans fill the air.
The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi begin with the installation of exquisitely crafted idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and public pandals. The idols are offered daily obeisance with modak(a sweet dumpling), durva grass, and red hibiscus flowers, which are said to be the favorite of Lord Ganesha. Daily prayers and aartis take place with songs and lamps, filling the atmosphere with devotion and celebration.
On the final day, the idols are taken out in a grand procession to nearby water bodies for immersion(visarjan). This is a ritualistic act called Ganesh Visarjan, wherein the cycle of birth and death reminds the believers of the transient nature of life.
Ganesh Chaturthi is not a religious festivity but all about joy, being united with people, and spiritual innovation. When you welcome Lord Ganesha this year into your home, remember to follow rituals with devotion and observe the vrata vidhi according to the best of your capacity. May Lord Ganesha bless you with happiness, success, and strength to overcome all problems.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, symbolizing the removal of problems and the beginning of new projects.
2. Is there a specific color to wear on Ganesh Chaturthi?
While there’s no strict rule, many devotees prefer to wear red or yellow as these colors are considered auspicious.
3. Can I perform Ganesh Visarjan at home?
Yes, if a water body is not accessible, you can perform a symbolic Visarjan at home using a small tub of water.
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