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A Modern Take on Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, revered as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles. This festival is marked by great devotion, especially in Indian states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. During the festivities, devotees welcome Ganesha idols into their homes and perform detailed rituals and prayers, seeking his blessings for success and the removal of life’s challenges. The festival concludes with the immersion (visarjan) of the idol in water, symbolizing the natural cycle of creation and dissolution, and reminding us of the fleeting nature of life.

Ganesh Chaturthi, in its public and grand form, was popularized by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893 as a means to unite people during British rule in India. Prior to this, the festival was celebrated privately in homes. Tilak saw the potential in the festival to foster a sense of unity among Indians, cutting across caste and community divisions, and used it as a platform for mass gatherings, which were otherwise restricted under colonial rule. By encouraging public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi, Tilak played a key role in transforming the festival into a major cultural and nationalist event.


Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, is often depicted holding various objects, each rich in symbolism. His four hands usually carry a variety of items: a broken tusk (symbolizing the ability to overcome obstacles), a modak or sweet (representing the rewards of wisdom and the sweetness of life), a rope (denoting the power to pull devotees closer to truth), and an axe or goad (signifying the removal of obstacles and the destruction of ego). Ganesha's large ears signify his ability to listen to his devotees' prayers, while his elephant head embodies wisdom and understanding. His plump belly symbolizes contentment and the ability to digest all experiences, both good and bad. Together, these attributes reflect his role as the remover of obstacles, a symbol of wisdom, and a patron of arts and learning.

While Ganesh Chaturthi is predominantly celebrated in India, it has gained global recognition due to the widespread Indian diaspora. Countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore host significant celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi, with Indian communities organizing public pujas and cultural events to honor the deity. In countries like Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago, where large Indian populations reside, traditional processions and rituals mirror the festivities in India, showcasing the global connection to cultural heritage.


As part of the festival rituals, devotees offer various items to Lord Ganesha. Key offerings include modaks, which are known as Ganesha’s favorite sweet, as well as durva grass, a three-bladed grass that is believed to please the deity. Red flowers, especially hibiscus, are also offered, as they are considered auspicious. Fruits like bananas and coconuts are given as well, symbolizing purity and prosperity. Each of these offerings carries deep symbolic meaning, reflecting the devotion and reverence shown toward Lord Ganesha.


Sweets are an integral part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, with modak being the most famous. Modaks come in different forms, such as steamed (ukadiche modak) or fried, and are filled with a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery. Other popular festival sweets include puran poli, a flatbread filled with sweetened lentils, laddoos made from gram flour or coconut, and milk-based treats like barfi. These sweets are traditionally prepared at home, offered to Lord Ganesha, and then shared with family and friends, symbolizing the joy and abundance that Ganesha’s blessings bring.


My friend also created a sustainable Ganesha idol using wheat flour and turmeric, and even crafted diyas from the same ingredients.  To create the idol, combine wheat flour with turmeric and water to make a dough. Then, shape the dough into parts of Ganesha’s body, including the head, trunk, ears, and body, and carefully assemble the figure. Crafting the idol from natural ingredients not only enhances the spiritual experience but also promotes environmentally friendly practices. We conducted the puja with the help of YouTube for the mantras. For the prasad, we enjoyed a typical South Indian meal that included dishes like Bhoori and Palatalikalu, which is similar to the Korean dish tteokbokki, along with kheer. After the meal, we placed rice and turmeric on our heads for protection, and followed the tradition of not looking at the moon without it.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that beautifully combines tradition, spirituality, and a sense of community. From creating eco-friendly idols to offering devotion through prayers and sharing festive sweets, the celebration emphasizes values of sustainability and togetherness. Whether observed in India or abroad, Ganesh Chaturthi brings people together to honor Lord Ganesha, spreading joy, unity, and prosperity across the world.

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© 2023 by Sturmfreii (Dhruvi Gohil)

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