Ganesh Chaturthi

Parvati, lonely while Shiva is away in meditation, creates a son from the turmeric paste she has anointed herself with — Ganesha. She places him at the door and tells him to let no one in. Shiva returns and, unrecognised, is blocked. In rage, he severs the boy's head. Parvati's grief is so immense that Shiva promises to replace the head with that of the first creature his ganas encounter facing north — an elephant. Ganesha is restored. Why he is worshipped first, his love of modak, the race around the world against Kartikeya.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, the Moon God (Chandra) mocked Lord Ganesha's appearance. Enraged by this insult, Ganesha cursed the moon, declaring that anyone who sights the moon on this specific tithi would face false accusations and dishonor, known as Mithya Dosha. Chandra later begged for forgiveness, and Ganesha, moved by his repentance, modified the curse to apply only on this particular day, making it inauspicious to view the moon.

As a consequence of inadvertently sighting the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing the precious Syamantaka jewel. To clear his name and uphold dharma, Krishna embarked on a quest to find the jewel, eventually recovering it from Jambavan and proving his innocence. This incident is traditionally cited as a prominent example of the moon curse's effect on this day.

Following his resurrection, Lord Ganesha was joyously embraced by his mother Parvati and honored by the assembly of gods. He was bestowed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers) and crowned as the chief of the Ganas, thus earning the title Ganapati. This event solidified his supreme position and the boon that he would be worshipped before all other deities, marking his role as the remover of obstacles.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, devotees traditionally avoid seeing the moon. This observance is rooted in the narrative where Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel after inadvertently seeing the moon on this day. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana recounts how Lord Ganesha cursed the moon for mocking him, decreeing that anyone who sees the moon on this specific Chaturthi would face false accusations. Lord Krishna later worshipped Ganesha to be freed from the curse.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, devotees observe the Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata, a day of fasting and elaborate worship of Lord Ganesha. This observance is performed to seek Ganesha's blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles (Vighnaharta). The rituals typically involve the installation of a Ganesha idol, offering modaks, durva grass, and various other items, followed by prayers and aarti, as detailed in various Puranas.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, devotees perform the Pratishtha, or consecration, of Lord Ganesha idols in their homes and public pandals. This ritual involves invoking the divine presence of Ganesha into the idol through specific mantras and ceremonies, making it a living representation suitable for worship. This act is a fundamental part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, initiating the formal worship of the deity.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, a specific and highly significant ritual involves offering 21 Modaks (sweet dumplings) and 21 blades of Durva grass to Lord Ganesha. These offerings are considered highly auspicious and pleasing to Ganesha, symbolizing devotion and seeking his blessings for prosperity and fulfillment of desires. The practice is detailed in various Puranas as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi worship.

On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, the recitation of the Ganapati Atharvashirsha is a highly revered observance. This Upanishadic text, associated with the Atharva Veda, extols Ganesha's supreme nature and is chanted to invoke his blessings for wisdom, success, and the removal of obstacles. The Phalashruti of the Atharvashirsha itself mentions that chanting it on Chaturthi, especially while fasting, bestows knowledge and spiritual attainments.

For those who inadvertently see the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, a traditional remedy prescribed in the Puranas is to listen to or recite the story of the Syamantaka jewel. This narrative, primarily found in the Bhagavata Purana, recounts how Lord Krishna was falsely accused of theft after seeing the moon on this day. Reciting this story is believed to counteract the ill effects of the moon's curse, preventing false accusations and ill repute.

For Śvetāmbara Jains, Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi marks the conclusion of the eight-day Paryushana Parva, the most significant annual festival in Jainism. During this period, Jains intensify their spiritual practices, often engaging in fasting, prayer, meditation, and the study of scriptures. The festival emphasizes self-reflection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness, culminating in the celebration of Samvatsari, the day of universal forgiveness, which often follows shortly after the conclusion of Paryushana for Śvetāmbara Jains.

The Siddhivinayak Vrat is a significant religious observance undertaken on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Scriptures recommend this fast for families, believing that observing it with devotion brings wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles, aligning with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. It is a specific vow performed to honor Lord Ganesha on his appearance day.