Ganesh Chaturthi Cards 2024: Best greeting card images to share with your friends on Vinayaka Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayak Chaturthi is observed to celebrate the day when Lord Ganesh was born. Lord Ganesh is considered as the God of prosperity and wisdom and holds immense religious significance in every puja and religious ceremony observed in Hindu rituals.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 07. This day is observed with prayer, celebration and finally the immersion of the idols of Lord Ganesha in water bodies.

The day falls on the fourth day, which is referred to as Chaturthi as per Hindu calendar, of the month of Bhadrapada which coincides with August and September of Gregorian calendar. Bhadrapada is the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.

Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvati, is revered among Hindus as the god of knowledge.

Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant. The story behind his birth is an interesting one. Lord Ganesha was born from the turmeric paste which Lord Parvati used for bathing. After giving him life, Parvati asked him to guard the gates and not let anyone enter it till she completes her bath. It was during this time, Lord Shiva reached there. When he tried to enter he was resisted by the young boy, which subsequently made Lord Shiva furious.

In a fit of rage, Lord Shiva severed the head of the young boy from the body.

Soon after this, Lord Parvati came out from her bath and was inconsolable seeing her son dead. Since the impact of his trident was irreversible, and in order to bring his son back to life, Lord Shiva sent Nandi to bring the head of the first creature he would find. It was like this, Lord Ganesha got the head of an elephant.

He is also known as Ganpati, the lord of the ganas.

There are several stories around his simple and pure life full of wisdom. One of the most popular ones is where he considers his parents as his own world rather than the world itself. The story goes on like this: Lord Ganesha was challenged by his brother Lord Kartikeya. The challenge was to roam around the world in the quickest time possible. While Lord Kartikeya took off riding on the back of his vahana or vehicle, the peacock, Lord Ganesha completed a full circle around his parents saying they mean the entire world to him.

Ganesh Chaturthi is observed throughout the country, especially in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa. Sweets like modak are offered to the Lord on this day.

The main rituals of Ganesh Puja are Avahana and Pran Pratishtha which marks welcoming the Lord in the home or the place of worship, Shodashopachara which is a 16 step puja in which the Lord is bathed with panchamrit, decorated with clothes, garland, sindoor and chandan. The Lord is also offered druva grass and flowers. Lord Ganesha is offered coconut, flowers, fruits, jaggery and modak during the puja. Modak is the most favorite of Lord Ganesha. It is made of rice flour and is stuffed with a mixture of coconut and jaggery.

The next ritual is Uttarpuja which is like a farewell. In this mantras are chanted and aarti is performed and the Lord is invited to visit the earth once again next year.

The final ritual is Ganpati Visarjan in which the Lord is immersed in water bodies and bade goodbye. In Maharashtra people say, Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya which means Oh Lord Ganesha, please come again next year. During the farewell procession, people also chant, "Ganapati Bappa Morya, Mangalmurti Morya."

Ganesh puja is observed for 10 days.

The most popular Ganesh stotra is

||| Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha

Nirbighnam kurume deva sarbakaryeshu sarbada |||

On this day, send greeting card images with your friends: