Ganesh Chaturthi

Vakratunda Mahakaya

Kotisoorya Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva

Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada

Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4^th day of Bhadrapada maasa.This is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in India.This festival is also referred to as Gowri-Ganesha.

Ganesha is the one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries, that’s why we perform Ganesh pooja before beginning any new endeavor.There is a Sanskrit shloka which explains that we should offer our first prayers to Lord Ganesha , who brings good luck in new activities.

Vaageeshadyaha sumanasah sarvarthanam upakrame
Yam nathva kruta krutyasyuhu tam namaami gajananam

We celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha, who is the son of Lord Shiva and Godess Parvathi. We worship the clay idols of Lord Ganesha.

The Festival preparation begins on the eve of the festival day, where we go shopping for the clay idol of Ganesha, flowers and fruits.On the morning of the festival, the ganesh idol is got home and installed on a table whose corners are decorated with Banana stems. Ganesh idol is decorated with flower garlands, blades of grass (called as Karki) and leaves known as patri. 

It is customary to offer Naivedyam. A large variety of sweets are prepared as it is believed that Lord Ganesha is very fond of sweets especially modak and kadabu.

As part of Naivedyam, I prepared

1.Modak
2.Onion Bajji
3. Rice, rasam and papad

It is believed that false allegations will be cast on oneself on seeing moon on this day,Ganesh Chaturthi.The moon misbehaved with Ganesha and got cursed by Ganesha.So remember not to see moon on this day :P

At our home, we install the idol of Lord Ganesha for five days and each day we prepare a different sweet and offer it to the lord. Every day we do aarti in the morning and evening.
On the fifth day, after the pooja in the evening, our ganesh idol is carried by hand and travels in the back seat of our car to the nearby tank, where the idol is immersed in the water body.

Here are two prayers (in kannada language) offered to Lord Ganesha

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Sharanu Sharanuvayya Gana Nayaka
Namma Karunadindali kayo Gana Nayaka||
Hoi....Sharanu Sharanuvayya Gana Nayaka
Namma Karunadindali Kayo Gana Nayaka||
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Gajamukhane Ganapathiye Ninage Vandane
Namdidavara Balina Kalpatharu Nine ||
Bhadrapada Shuklada Chauthiaando
Nee mane manegu dayamadi harasu yendu
Ninna Sannidhanake thalebagi Kaiya mugidu
Beduva Bhaktarige Nee Dhaya Sindhu ||
Eeyelu Lokada Anu Anudina
Ihaparada Sadhanake Neene karana
Ninnolume Notada Ondu Honnakirana
Needidare Sakayya Janma Pavana ||
Parvathi Parashivana Prema Puthrane
Palisuva Paradaiva bere kane
Papada Pankadali Paduma yenisu yenna
Pada seva Onde Dharama Sadhana ||
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