गणपति बाप्पा मोरया – मंगलमूर्ति मोरया
Ganapati Bapa Moraya! Mangala Murti Moraya!!

गणेश उत्सव

Ganesh Utsav
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival celebration

When is Ganesh Utsav – Bhadrapad Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi in 2017 in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong? Which is the last day prayer of Ganesh Utsav festival in 2017?

In 2017, Ganesh Chaturthi Parva (festival) is on Friday 25^th August in Bhārat and Hong Kong.
Anant Chaturdasi is on Tuesday 5^th September 2017.
Last day prayer of Ganpati Utsav festival is on 5^th September 2017.

What is meaning of Ganesha, Ganapati (Ganapathy) in Sanskrit? What is meaning of Gana, Ganaha, Gananāth, Gananāyaka, Ganapatha? Who is God of wisdom and remover of obstacles?

The following is the meaning of Ganapati, Gana, Ganaha, Gananayak, Gananath, Ganapaatha :-

गणपतिः : Noun of Ganesa. Master of the hosts. गण : ‘Gana’, meaning ‘the hosts’, or ‘troops’ of demigods ‘multitudes’ and “Ganaha गणः : a body of followers or attendants. Particulary, a troop of demigods considered as Siva’s attendants and under the special superintendence of Ganesa a demigod of this troop गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनां and गणा नमेरुप्रसवावतंसाः : A series of lunar mansions classed under three heads (of god, men and demons). A sect (in philosophy or religion). गणनाथः गणनायकः : an epithet of Ganesha. Who is [He is the son of Siva and Parvati, or of Parvati only, for according to one legend, he sprang from the scurf of her body. He is the God of wisdom and remover of obstacles; hence he is invoked and worshipped at the commencement of every important undertaking. He is usually represented in a sitting posture, short and fat, with a protuberant belly, and with the head of an elephant. This head has only one tusk, the other having been lost in a scuffle between him and Parasurama when he opposed the latter’s entrance to Siva’s inner apartments; (whence he is called एकदन्त​ Ekadanta, Ekadanshtra). There are several legends accounting for his elephant head. It is said that he wrote the Mahabharata at the dictation of Vyasa who secured his services as a scribe from the God Brahman]. गणपाठः : A collection of ganas or series of words falling under the same grammatical rule”. गणेश पुराण एवम् मुद्गल पुराण​ Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana: These are the two main scriptures dedicated to Śri Ganesā. The Lord Ganesha’s different avatar (incarnations) are discussed.

Ganpati image made by Bhavana I. Sharma

Ganesh Chaturthi importance – Mahatmaya

What is Ganesh Utsav? What is Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebration importantance and meaning? How and why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated? Do we celebrate Ganesh Utsav – Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapad Shukla Chauth) for Ganesa birthday?

Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Ganesha. Chaturthi  means ‘fourth tithi i.e. ‘fourth day’ of Bhaadrapad Shukla Paksha (i.e. fourth day of bright fortnight  in the month of August or September). Celebrations are traditionally held on the fourth day according to Hindu Lunar Calendar. Festival is celebrated throughout India, Hong Kong and worldwide. The festival generally lasts eleven days inclusive and ends on the ‘Ananta chaturdashi’ fourteenth tithi (i.e. fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad) when ‘Visarjan’ prayers takes place. But, some of the year, when the tithi is enlarged (i.e. vridhi tithi – big tithi) occurs, then there are more than 11 days; and when any of the year, there is occurance of lapse of tithi (kshaya tithi – small tithi) is present, then, the number of days are less, accordingly taken into consideration for Ganesh Utsav.

In year 2017, how many days counting from Ganesh Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi are there?

In 2017, there are more than 11 days, because one of the tithi  which is tenth tithi that is big tithi, hence, there is twelve days in 2017 Ganesh Utsav from chaturthy to chaturdashi tithi. This festival is celebrated by families, Hindu communities, groups. Worship of Ganesa is performed at home, at temple and in public pandals with great dedication.

Page 27, 732, 774 of lonely planets reads, “Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with fervor all across Maharashtra”; “Ganesh’s Birthday – In August or September Hindus celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth of the elephant-headed god, with verve, particularly in Mumbai. Clay idols of Ganesh are paraded through the streets before being ceremonially immersed in rivers, tanks (reservoirs) or the sea. Mumbai gets totally swept up by this 10-to 12-day celebration of the elephand-headed Hindu God Ganesh. On the festival’s first, third, fifth, seventh and 11^th days, families and communities take their Ganesh statues to the seashore and auspiciously submerge them”. “Families march their Ganesh idols to the sea at sunset”. “Pune goes particularly hysteric in honour of the elephant-headed deity”. ‘Dagdusheth Ganpati’ of Pune and Mumbai’s ‘Mumbai Cha Raja’ commemorates Ganesh Utsav Ganesh Chaturthi – the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Is there also an one and half day prayers of Ganesh festival (until 1 ½ day)? There is one and half day pooja – prayers of Ganesh festival is also performed.

Also the Gauri prayers (aavaahan, poojan) takes place on a particular day. The tithi (date) of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Choth) fourth tithi falls on the fourth day of the bright moon period (Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi) in the Hindu maasa (month) of Bhadrapada Sudi (Baddo Sahai choth). Bhādrapad is the Hindu Lunar Calendar’s sixth month and this month correspondence with August or September each year. The festival is usually celebrated for eleven days (i.e. the last day of prayer is called Anant Chaturdasi – Ananta Chaturdashi). This festival comes every year after Raksha Bandhan and Sri Krishna Janam; Krishna Janmashtami festival Celebration. It starts and ends, before the start of the Mahālaya – Shraadh Paksha Pitru Paksha (paying homage to ancestors for one fortnight generally of fifteen days) Sarva Pitra Shraaddh, Shārdiya Navarātri, Durga Ashtami, Dasserah (Vijaya Dasami) and Diwali (Deepavali).

What is प्राण​-प्रतिष्ठा ‘Prana Pratishtha’? How Procedural prayers (pooja) are being performed for Ganesh Utsav (Ganesh Chaturthi) in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong?

‘Prāna Pratishtha’ : This is the among the procedural prayer of Ganesh Chaturthy festival that initiation of the deity into the idol is performed to invoke the power. And while the eleven days prayers, or opted prayer days, one physically, spiritually and mentally is devoted to Śri Ganesha. Ganesa’s 8 eight names recitation, 12 twelve name, Sankashta Naashan Ganesh Stotra, Ashtottara naam, Sahastranaam chanting prayers is done. And during rituals offering of flowers, Modak, Laddu, Durva, Sindoor, sweets, coconuts and Prasad, naivaidya, are offered to Ganesha. Poojs-archana, arati in morning and during evening time brings devotees, an aspirant to serve Lord and to its humanity. Panchopachara, Ekodashaupchara, Shodashopachara Puja is conducted.  Furthermore, after artis; prayer of Mantra Pushpanjali to Prabhu (flowers are offered to God). Singing of bhajans, katha, stuti, stotra – praise of Lord is being performed.

What is the reason and katha (story) behind not to look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi?

Bhagawatapuranam : 1) It’s believed according to tradition, one avoids looking at the moon during the Ganesh Chaturthi. 2) If a person sees the moon, it is believed that it may be a curse with accusation(s). 3) Anyone who saw the moon, then one would be cursed in a similar way. Apparently, this came about after Lord Krisha was falsely accused of stealing a valuable ‘Sumantak-mani’. Rishi Narada said that Krishna must have seen the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (the occasion that when Ganesh Chaturthi occurs) and was cursed because of it.

In 2017, when is Bhitran Choth? 

Which are the Eight names of Ganesha?

1. Vakratunda – Vakratuṇḍa ‘twisting trunk’, His vāhana (mount) is a lion.
2. Ekadanta – Ekadantra ‘single tusk’. His vaahana is a mouse.
3. Mahodara ‘big belly’ or pot belly or protuberant belly. His vaahan
4. Gajavaktra or Gajānana ‘elephant face’. His vahana is a mouse.
5. Lambodara ‘pendulous belly’. He rides the mouse as his vahana.
6. Vikata – Vikaṭa : ‘unusual form’ or ‘the form not a normal one’. His vaahan is a peacock.
7. Vighnaraja – Vighnarāja: ‘king of obstacles’. His vahana in this avatar was Shesha (the divine snake – the serpent).
8. Dhumravarna – Dhūmravarṇa: ‘grey color’. Ganesha rides a horse.

May the eight avataaras (incarnations) and all swaroop of Lord Ananta Ganesha bring happiness.

What Ganesha may remove? Remove sorrow, anger, greed, ego.

Which is Ganapati (Ganesa) prayer sung by Sant Tulsidas – Goswami Tulsidas in Vinay Patrika?

The following is Sri Ganesh (Vinaayaka) Vandana in Vinay Patrika by Goswami Tulsidas: Gaaiye Ganpati Jaga-vandan

Gaaiye Ganapati Jaga-vandan
Shankar Suvan Bhavāni Nandan.
Gaaiye Ganpati Jag-vandan…
Siddhi Sadan Gaj Vadan Vināyak,
Kripā Sindhu Sundar Sab Lāyak.
Gaaiye Ganpati Jagvandan…
Modak Priya Mud Mangal Daataa,
Vidya Vaaradhi Buddhi Vidhātā.
Gaaiye Ganpati Jagvandan…
Maangat Tulsidās Kar Jore,
Bashin Rām Siyā Maanas More.
Gaaiye Ganpati Jagvandan…

Which is the Ganesh stuti – stotra sung by Rishi (Sage) Narada?

The following is the Sankat Nashan Ganesa Stotram sung by Rishi Narad:

Sankat Nashan Ganesha Stotram
संकटनाशन गणेशस्तोत्रम्

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम् ।
भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यं आयुःकामार्थसिद्धये ॥ १॥

Pranamya Shirasaa Devam Gauri Putram Vināyakam,
Bhaktaavaasam Smare-nityam-āyuhu Kaamaartha Sidhaye. (1)

प्रथमं वक्रतुण्डं च एकदन्तं द्वितीयकम् ।
तृतीयं कृष्णपिङ्गाक्षं गजवक्त्रं चतुर्थकम् ॥ २॥

Prathamam Vakratundam cha, Ekadantam Dwitiyakam,
Tritiyam Krishna Pingaaksham, Gajavaktram Chaturthakam. (2)

लम्बोदरं पञ्चमं च षष्ठं विकटमेव च ।
सप्तमं विघ्नराजेन्द्रं धूम्रवर्णं तथाष्टमम् ॥ ३॥

Lambodaram Panchamam cha, Sashtham Vikatamev cha,
Saptamam Vighna-Rajendram, Dhoomra-varnam tathaashtamam. (3)

नवमं भालचन्द्रं च दशमं तु विनायकम् ।
एकादशं गणपतिं द्वादशं तु गजाननम् ॥ ४॥

Navamam Bhaalchandram cha, Dashamam tu Vināyakam,
Ekaadasham Ganapatim, Dwaadasham tu Gajānanam. (4)

द्वादशैतानि नामानि त्रिसंध्यं यः पठेन्नरः ।
न च विघ्नभयं तस्य सर्वसिद्धिकरं प्रभुः (परम्) ॥ ५॥

Dwaadashaitaani Naamaani, Trisandhyam Yaha Pathen-naraha,
Na cha Vighna-Bhayam Tasya, Sarva-Siddhi-karam Prabuhu (param). (5)

विद्यार्थी लभते विद्यां धनार्थी लभते धनम् ।
पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्रान्मोक्षार्थी लभते गतिम् ॥ ६॥

Vidhyaarthi Labhate Vidhyaam, Dhanaarthi Labhate Dhanam,
Putraarthi Labhate Putraan, Mokshaarthi Labhate Gateem. (6)

जपेद्गणपतिस्तोत्रं षड्भिर्मासैः फलं लभेत् ।
संवत्सरेण सिद्धिं च लभते नात्र संशयः ॥ ७॥

Japet-Ganapati Stotram, Shadabhir-maasaiha Phalam Labhet,
Samvatsarena Siddhima cha, Labhate Naatra Sanshaya. (7)

अष्टेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च लिखित्वा यः समर्पयेत् ।
तस्य विद्या भवेत्सर्वा गणेशस्य प्रसादतः ॥ ८॥

Asht-bhyo Brāhmane-bhyash-cha, Likhitwaa Yaha Samarpayet,
Tasya Viddhya Bhavet-sarvaa Ganeśhasya Prasaadataha. (8)

When is Ganesh Utsav – Bhadrapad Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi – Visarjan in 2018, 2019 in India and Hong Kong?

Sri Ganesh Chaturthi (i.e. Caturthi is fourth day of Bhādrapada Shukla Paksha) and Ananta Chaturdashi (14^th day of Hindu Lunar Calendar sixth month Bhādrapada Shukla Paksha – bright fortnight) during August/September every year from 2018, 2019:
In 2018, Ganesh Chaturthi is on Thursday13^th September. Anant Chaturdasi – Visarjan is on Sunday 23^rd September.
In 2019, Ganesh Chaturthi is on Monday 2^nd September. Anant Chaturdasi – Visarjan is on Thursday 12^th September .

Which festivals are there after Ganesh Utsav and Anant chaturdashi in 2017? When is Diwali – Deepavali, Daserah-Vijayadashmi, Karva Chauth, Durga Ashtami, Shardiya Navaratri, Shraddha Pitra Paksha starts and ends in 2017 in Bharat (India) & Hong Kong?

In 2017, Shradh Paksha (Pitra Paksha starts from Wednesday 6^th September 2017 and Mahalaya Shraddha ends (Sarva Pitra Shraddha) is on Tuesday 19^th September. In
2017, Navaratri starts dated 21^st September and Durga Ashtami is on Thursday 28^th September 2017. In 2017, Mahanavami, Saraswati Pujan dated 29^th September. In 2017,
Vijaya Dashmi (Dassehra Festival) is on Saturday 30^th September 2017. Who started this Ganesh utsav? Lokmanya Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak-ji started the Ganesh utsav.

गणेश चतुर्थी उत्सव एवं महत्व​

गणेश चतुर्थी (भाद्रपद शुक्लपक्ष चतुर्थी) – गणेश उत्सव पूजा, कथा एवं महत्व​ क्या है? गणेश उत्सव (गणेश चतुर्थी) पूजा कब होती है? भाद्रपद शुक्लपक्ष चतुर्थी क्या गणेश जी का जन्म दिन होता है? गणेश उत्सव (गणेश चतुर्थी) पूजा भारत एवं हांगकांग में २०१७, २०१८ में कब-कब है? मूर्ति-विसर्जन पूजा भारत एवं हांगकांग में २०१७, २०१८ में कब है? अनन्त चतुर्दशी कब है २०१७, २०१८ में?

२०१७ में, भाद्रपद शुक्लपक्ष चतुर्थी को गणेशजी का जन्म दिन है, भारत एवं हांगकांग में शुक्रवार २५ आगस्त को गणेश उत्सव है ।
अनन्त चतुर्दशी मंगलवार ५ सेप्टेंबर को है; २०१७ में “विसर्जन” मूर्ति-विसर्जन पूजा भारत एवं हांगकांग में मंगलवार ५ सेप्टेंबर को है ।
२०१८ में, भाद्रपद शुक्लपक्ष चतुर्थी को गणेशजी का जन्म दिन है, भारत एवं हांगकांग में गुरूवार १३ सेप्टेंबर को गणेश उत्सव है ।
२०१८ में “विसर्जन” मूर्ति-विसर्जन पूजा भारत एवं हांगकांग में रविवार​ २३ सेप्टेंबर को है ।

गणेश चतुर्थी पूजा: भगवान गणेश सभी के प्रिय हैं । सभी कोई भी नया काम करने से पहले भारत एवं हांगकांग में लोग भगवान गणेश की पूजा करते हैं । लोकमान्य तिलक जी के द्वारा इस उत्सव की शुरुआत हुई । यह​ उत्सव भाद्रपद के महीने में शुक्ल पक्ष में चतुर्थी पर शुरु होता है और 11वें दिन अनन्त चतुर्दशी पर खत्म होता है । हर वर्ष बड़े ही तैयारी और उत्साह से मनाते हैं । इसे हर साल अगस्त और सितंबर के महीने में मनाया जाता है । हिन्दू धर्म का अत्यधिक मुख्य तथा प्रसिद्ध पर्व देशमें मनाया जाता है, महाराष्ट्रा में, ये विशेषकर​ से मनाया जाता है । यह​ पर्व​ भगवान गणेश के जन्म दिवस के रुप में मनाया जाता है, जो माता पार्वती और भगवान शिव के पुत्र हैं । ये बुद्धि और समृद्धि के भगवान है इसलिये इन दोनों को पाने के लिये लोग इनकी पूजा करते हैं । लोग गणेश की मिट्टी की प्रतिमा लाते हैं और चतुर्थी पर घर पर रखते हैं, उनकी भक्ति करते हैं और उसके बाद ‘अनन्त चतुर्दशी’ के दिन अर्थात् ‘ग्यारहवें’ दिन गणेश ‘विसर्जन’ करते हैं । घर या मंदिर में, पंडालों में मूर्ति स्थापना से शुरु होता है पर्व-त्योहार​ तथा गणेश विसर्जन के साथ अनन्त चतुर्दशी पर खत्म होता है; लोगों के समूह द्वारा, परिवार या अकेले मनाया जाता है पर्व । मोदक चढ़ाते हैं, भक्ति गीत गाते हैं, मंत्रोंच्चारण करते हैं, आरती गाते हैं; जब गणेश जी घर पर आते है तो ढ़ेर सारी सुख, समृद्धि, बुद्धि और खुशी ले आते है तथा जब वो हमारे घर से प्रस्थान करते है तो हमारी सारी बाधाएँ तथा परेशानियों को साथ ले जाते हैं । वो बाधाओं और मुश्किलों को हटाते हैं​ – विघ्नहर्ता हैं, साथ ही साथ जीवन को खुशियों से भर देते हैं ।

अनन्त चतुर्दशी पर लोग गणेश प्रार्थना करते हैं, कि वो अगले वर्ष पधारें और अपना आशीर्वाद दें ।

गणपति स्तुति – भजन :

गाइये गणपति जगवंदन
गाइये गणपति जगवंदन ।
शंकर सुवन भवानी के नंदन ॥
गाइये गणपति जगवंदन …

 सिद्धि सदन गजवदन विनायक ।
कृपा सिंधु सुंदर सब लायक ॥
गाइये गणपति जगवंदन … 

मोदक प्रिय मुद मंगल दाता ।
विद्या बारिधि बुद्धि विधाता ॥
गाइये गणपति जगवंदन …

मांगत तुलसीदास कर जोरे ।
बसहिं रामसिय मानस मोरे ॥
गाइये गणपति जगवंदन …

शेंदूर लाल चढ़ायो अच्छा गजमुखको ||
दोंदिल लाल बिराजे सूत गौरीहरको ||
हाथ लिए गुड़-लड्डू साईं सुरवरको ||
महिमा कहे ना जाय लागत हूँ पदको || १ ||
जय जय श्री गणराज विद्यासुखदाता || धन्य तुम्हारा दर्शन मेरा मन रमता ||

अष्टो सिद्धि दासी संकटको बैरी ||
विघ्न​विनाशन मंगल मूरत अधिकारी ||
कोटि सूरजप्रकाश ऐसी छबि तेरी ||
गंड-स्थल मदमस्तक झूले शशिहारी || २ ||
जय जय श्री गणराज विध्यासुखदाता || धन्य तुम्हारा दर्शन मेरा मन रमता ||

भावभगत से कोई शरणागत आवे ||
संतति सम्पति सभी भरपूर पावे ||
ऐसे तुम महाराज मोको अति भावे ||
गोसावीनंदन निशिदिन गुण गावे || ३ ||

जय जय श्री गणराज विद्यासुखदाता || धन्य तुम्हारा दर्शन मेरा मन रमता ||

Acknowledgement:

Dr. Katyayanidutt Shandilya PhD., Puranas, Samhita, Sanskrit dictionary of Sri Apte-ji, Marathi dictionary. Thanks to all devotees who performed prayers with priest Ishwar at the Temple. Ishwar Maharaj Pandit performed for Hong Kong Maharashtra Mandal Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganapati – Ganapathy) pooja prayers at The Hindu Temple, 1B Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong every year since when he was Head Priest at the HK Hindu Temple in year 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Not only mandal but all other devotees prayed every year pooja with great devotion. Mandal used to perform 21 Aavartan of Ganapati Atharvashirsha and beautiful prayers and aartis in Marathi of 1) Ganesh Sukh Kartaa Dukh Hartaa… 2) Shiva Arati, 3) Devi Arati, 4) Vitthal Arati, 5) Arti Gyaan-raja 6) Mantra Pushpaanjali – Ghaalin lotaangana vandin charana doryaa na paahi na rupa tujhe; as this later prayers of Mantra-pushpanjali is very much alive that His appearance and its eternity is engrossed in the eyes. May God bless all with ‘sada-buddhi’! May ‘obstacles’ go away!!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! 

श्री गणेशष्टोत्तरशत नामा

सुखकर्ता दुःखहर्ता आरती