Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a vibrant Hindu festival. It is celebrated not only in India but across several parts of the world as well. This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is also known as the provider of wisdom and prosperity. Ganesh Chaturthi lasts for 10 days and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Indian communities worldwide. This festival involves a variety of rituals and fun activities. The main idea behind these rituals and activities is to bring families and communities together. Starting September 7, 2024, the celebrations will go on till Anant Chaturdashi, which will be observed on September 17, 2024. Now, as the world celebrates Ganesha, here are some traditions and fun activities you can do during these 10 days.
Ganesh Chaturthi Traditions
1. Bringing Home the Idol
The celebration begins with one of the biggest Ganesh Chaturthi traditions, by bringing a beautifully crafted idol of Lord Ganesha into homes or community pandals. So, get ready in your traditional best and bring Bappa home.
2. Ganesh Puja
A central part of the festivities is the Ganesh Puja. Whether you bring Bappa home or not, you can still offer prayers, chant mantras, and perform rituals in front of the idol or picture of the lord in your home and invoke the presence of the deity in your household.
3. Modak Preparation
How can we talk about Ganesh Chaturthi and forget Ganpati’s favorite, Modaks? These are nothing but sweet dumplings made from rice flour, coconut, and jaggery. Preparing and offering modaks to Ganesha is a cherished tradition during this festival.
4. Ganesh Aarti
Perform morning and evening aartis (prayer songs) in front of the idol(if you have one) or photo. Don’t forget to clang the prayer bells and the light the incense sticks, lamps, and camphor, to create a divine ambiance while you do the aarti.
5. Feasting
Ganesh Chaturthi is also a time for indulging in festive foods. So, don’t hold back and dig in whenever you’re served Modaks, Puran Poli, Ladoos, and more.
6. Ganesh Visarjan
On the final day, the idol is immersed in a water body. This ceremony is called Ganesh Visarjan. Celebrate Ganesh Visarjan and bid adieu to your beloved Bappa while asking him to visit again next year.
7. Pandal Hopping
Visiting various pandals (temporary structures set up to house Ganesha idols) is a popular activity, especially in India. Each pandal is decorated lavishly and often depicts scenes from Hindu mythology. If you have any pandals nearby, do visit those and experience the divinity in the atmosphere.
Fun Activities to Enjoy During Ganesh Chaturthi
1. Eco-Friendly Ganeshas
One of the most fun activities on Ganesh Chaturthi is to engage in making your own Ganesha idol from clay. This not only honors tradition but also promotes environmental responsibility. You can make your own idols at home and also perform the Visarjan at home to reduce environmental pollution.
2. Cultural Performances
You can also organize dance, music, and drama performances depicting stories of Lord Ganesha. This will add a cultural flair to the festivities.
3. Cooking Competitions
Ganesha loves food. So hosting cooking competitions with a focus on traditional Ganesh Chaturthi dishes like modaks and puran poli is a great idea.
4. Storytelling Sessions
Not everyone would know all about the stories of Lord Ganesha’s wisdom and miracles. So, get together with the little ones in your house and pass down these rich tales to the younger generation.
5. Community Service
Celebrate this festival by giving back to the society. You can distribute food or organize blood donation camps to help those in need.
6. Musical Evenings
Musical evenings with devotional songs dedicated to Lord Ganesha are a must during Ganesh Chaturthi. So, let’s sing some bhajans (devotional songs) together and enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
7. Streaming Ganesha
Another way to experience the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi is by watching Ganesha special shows like Bol Bappa on ZEE5 which takes you across Pandals celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. You can also watch movies like Love You Ganesha on ZEE5 to see how Ganesha’s presence transforms a young boy’s life.
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a religious occasion but also a time for family bonding, community participation, and cultural expression. By blending these traditions with fun activities in the festival season, Ganesh Chaturthi will become a joyous experience that resonates with everyone.