Ganesh Chaturthi 2013 is celebrated on 9th September 2013. It is a festival celebrated all over India but most popular in southern states and also in Maharashtra and some parts of Gujarat. Maharashtra boats the title of the city which celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi most grandly. This festival is celebrated for a stretch of 10 days until Anant Chaturdashi.
Lord Ganesha has a very important place in hinduism, he is the one God who u cannot do without. He is the God of the beginning, God of the obstacles, wisdom and intellect. As such Ganesha is a favourite god to many and this festival of his is look forward to and celebrated with much joy.
To know the Muhurat timing for the Puja, just click here - Puja Muhurat Timings.
Ganesha’s stories are many, but we have picked out the most popular and loved ones to share with you all. They are :
- How ganesha got his head?
- Who is Elder ?
How ganesha got his head?
This is a question many would want the answer for, well we will tell you how. Legend say that Goddess Parvati while bathing rubbed off the turmeric from her body and made a life like idol of a small boy and breathed life into it, claiming him to be her son. She then asked him to guard the house and not let anyone in until she was done with her bath. But just then Lord Shiva happen to come there and sees this boy blocking him from entering the house. Enraged by this behaviour of the boy (Lord Ganesh) he cuts off his head. On knowing this Goddess Parvati threatens to destroy the earth and heavens, so great was her anger. Goddess Parvati demanded only if Ganesh was brought back to life and also from then on worshipped as the first God would she spare everyone. Realising his mistake, Lord Shiva orders Narada to go to earth and bring the head of the first being whose head is facing the north, which is considered to the auspicious direction. He brings back the head of the mighty elephant, Lord Ganesh is brought back to life with a head of a elephant and thus peace prevailed in the seven heavens. This is how Lord Ganesh got the elephant head.
Who Is Elder ?
Legends says that, Lord Ganesh and Lord Subramanya had an argument as to who was the elder among the two. When none of the Gods could come up with a solution, the matter was taken to Lord Shiva for a final decision. Lord Shiva proposed a competition that whoever circles the universe the first and comes back to them would be declared as the elder one. Hearing this, Murugan set at once to complete the task in his vahana (the peacock). On the other hand, Lord Ganesh being the wise one went around Lord Shiva and Parvati claiming that, his parents meant the world to him. This act of his won him the heart of the Divine couple as well as the title of being the elder one.
To know more about Lord Ganesha, click here - Lord Ganesh
