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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Festival Food - Varamahalakshmi Pooja

Varamahalakshmi Pooja is performed on the second friday of the Shravana masa.

The Shravana month is treated as the holiest month in the hindu calendar and comes with it the festive season.

The lakshmi pooja is performed on all fridays of the shravan month.On the second Friday varamahalakshmi pooja is performed by married women.

I remember my mom performs this pooja every year. Her preparation begins on the eve of the second friday when she cleans the house.Wake up early on the Friday, take head bath and then begin with the pooja preparations. My job as kid would be to draw huge rangolis in front of the main door and bring fresh mango leaves/twigs and place them on top of the main door to welcome the Goddess.

The pooja preparation involves setting up of the kalasha, the kalasha is filled with grains – mainly rice or water. A coconut is placed on top of the kalasha and is surrounded by 5 betel/pan leaves.My mom attaches a silver mukut of goddess to the coconut before placing it on the kalash. She places a huge pot below the kalash and drapes a saree around the pot. Decorates the kalash with ornaments and flowers. She places bangles and toe rings as well.

Now comes the offerings to the goddess. Place two betel leaves and on top of the betel are placed five things which include – one arecanut, one banana, one dry turmeric, one coin and a dry fruit. Five such sets are placed before the goddess. Some also place two banana/plantain stems on either side of the decoration.

Then comes the main thing the Naivedya. I remember my mom being very stressed about food preparation as the naivedya includes a variety of food.

The naivedya mainly includes

1. Holige/Obbattu
2. Obbatt saaru
3. Rice
4. Kosumbari
5. Kadabu
6. Bajji

In the evening, women dress in their best, celebrate the festival in their homes and also visit each others houses for the "Arishina-kumkuma" and "aarti".
Along with arishina-kumkuma, women are offered ’phala and tamboola’.

It is believed that the "Varamahalakshmi Pooja" would bring wealth, health and prosperity.

I think its basically an occasion to forget about calories for a change, eat fatty food. Meet friends and relatives and have a get-together.