Vinayaka Chathurti, History and Importance

In every year Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Among the different stores about Ganesha's birth, two of them are most common. The first story deals that Lord Ganesha was produced by Parvati out of dirt from her body to protect her in the absence of Lord Shiva. One day, Parvati told Lord Ganesha to guard her bathroom while she took bathing. But when suddenly Lord Shiva came to home, Ganesha didn't recognised his father and stopped him. This provoked Lord Shiva and he cut off the head of Lord Ganesha after a quarrel between father and son. When Parvati came and she angered to know about this. Lord Shiva promised to get back Ganesha back to life. As soon as, Devas were sent to inquire for a child's head facing north, but unfortunately they couldn't find that and instead of that, they could only get an elephant's head. Lord Shiva fixed the head of elephant on child's body and Ganesha was born. Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated in Bhadra month. Another story about the birth of Lord Ganesha is that one day Devas urged to destroy demons or rakshasas. So they asked for the help of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati  to create Ganesha. Only he can be the Vighnakarta of demons. That's why Ganesha is mainly known as Vighnakarta , means one who clear the obstacles in life and Buddhi Pradayaka, means one who provides intelligence. According to Hindu belief, people are praying to God on that auspicious day to set free from sins and leads to path of knowledge and wisdom. Moreover that people are worshipping Lord Ganesha to fulfil desires. Vinayaka Chaturthi is also celebrated as Shukla Chaturthi among Hindus. In Hinduism, Vinaya chaturthi celebration is takes place from one day to eleven days based on the place and duration. On the tenth day of Vinayaka Chaturthi, four main rituals will conduct. They are Pranapratishta, Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, Ganapati Visarjan. Rituals of Ganesh Chathurti is starting with Pranapratishta.  Pranapratishta is priest is chanting mantras in the deity of Ganesha. Shhodashopachara is the 16 different ways to pray Ganesh's idol. Uttarpujja is the farewell to Lord Ganesha and Ganapati Visarjan is followed by Uttarpuja and it is celebrating as the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in water by chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya. It means that "Good bye Lord, Please come back on next year. In India, Vinayaka Chathurti is celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Telengana. On this auspicious day, people will worship God Ganesh from home, maybe someone will go to Ganesh temple. At the time of the festival, people are preparing Lord Ganesh's favourite food Modak, Pooran Poli and Karanji.