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The fourth day of the waxing moon period of the month Bhaadrapada of the Hindu calendar is known as the Ganesh Chaturthi. It is considered the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is the most popular festival celebrated by Hindus throughout India to honor Lord Ganesha, who is considered the god of prosperity, wisdom and goodluck.
The Idol of Lord Ganesha, made of clay is is decorated with garlands and flowers and anointed with sandalwood paste and kumkum. The first step in the Puja is Pranaprathishta, meaninginvoking life into the idol by chanting appropriate mantras.
Special dishes are prepared and offered to the Lord during the sixteen fold prayer process and the worship concludes with the recital of 108 names of Lord Ganesha.
Vedic hymns of Ganapathi and devotional songs are sung three times a day for all through the puja days, after which it has taken in a procession and immersed in a water body.
The elephant — headed Ganesha is known as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles and Buddhi Pradaayaka. bestower of wisdom. He is the god of beginnings and the firstrst deity to be worshiped before any religious ceremonies.
He is worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
He is called the leader of all gods.
Ganesh rules all the positive attributes within us, hence worshipping him ensure the blooming of all good qualities within us.
