Nagpur: That the much cherished 10-day Ganesh Festival is around the corner could be sensed from the fact that the idols of Lord of Wisdom are taking shapes. The idols of Bappa are being made from a specific clay to be installed at almost all the corners of the city as well as hundreds of thousands of homes of devotees. Making of Lord Ganesh idols from Plaster of Paris (POP) has been banned from pollution point of view. Hence the special class of clay and the idols made of it are great demand. The 10-Day Festival is commencing from September 5 this year and the air is filled with enthusiasm and ecstasy in anticipation of fun and frolic the festivity will bestow.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi popularly, is one of the biggest and important festivals, celebrated not only by Hindus but by a cross section of communities. The festival is being celebrated from ancient times to honour the Elephant-headed God also called Sukha Karta, Dukha Harta, Vighna Harta, Lord of Wisdom, God of First Puja and many, many other holy names. The festival arrives usually in the months of August or September according to Hindu calendar. Celebrations traditionally begin on the fourth day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapad. The festival generally lasts ten days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight i.e. on Anant Chaturdashi. As the Vinayak Chaturthi comes nearer and nearer, devotees go enthusiastic in anticipation of fun and frolic the 10 days of festival will offer. In the 10 days of festival, clay idols of Ganapati Bappa in various sizes, forms are installed in lakhs of aesthetically decked up homes and hundreds of attractively decorated pandals of Sarvajanik Mandals. The idols are worshipped by devotees with all religious fervor and gaiety.
Importance of Ganesh idol immersion:
Ganesh immersion holds importance in Hindu religion. Once the clay idol of Lord Ganesh is immersed in water, the shape gets defiled. It means, everything in the universe will get defaced (Moksha or mukti) one day or on a decided day. The process of forming and destroying is a continuous one (chakra). The Lord Ganesh comes on earthly sojourn every year to throw light on this eternal truth of the life.
– Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha ( rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com )
