Indian holidays. The history of the appearance of Ganesha The history of the appearance of Ganesha

A festival in honor of any deity of millions of Hindus sweeps through the cities of Bharat in a motley wave at the beginning of autumn.

Although the elephant-headed son of the destroyer god Shiva and the mother goddess Parvati is not included in the main triad of Hindu deities, he easily overtakes most of his “senior colleagues” in popularity at home and abroad. This is because the god Ganesha, also known as Vinayaka and Ganapati, is responsible for such important areas as luck, wisdom, success in business, and is also considered the patron of scientists, traders and travelers. Most followers of the Vedic tradition in different countries begin religious ceremonies and important undertakings with the mantra invoking Ganesha: “Om Ganeshaya Namaha.” Considering the importance of the elephant-headed deity, it is quite reasonable that his festival is one of the most popular and colorful in the Indian religious calendar.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the first two weeks of the month of Bhadra (August-September), usually for 4-10 days. Hindus firmly believe that correct observance of the rituals of this celebration can open the way to new spiritual and material opportunities for every person who sincerely worships Ganesha. In the homes of most Hindus these days, solemn rituals are performed during which the statue of the deity is presented with fruits, nuts, milk, various sweets and, especially, his favorite round coconut sweets “modak” or “ladoo”.

Outside the walls of temples and houses, the Ganesha festival turns into crowded street processions, in which the main role is played by pre-made clay and brightly painted statues of the deity. According to the ancient custom, they are decorated with bright flower garlands, and then carried to the nearest body of water with chants and drumming. Going on a “free” voyage, the god of wisdom symbolically takes with him all the problems and misfortunes of the participants in the ritual. A “sacrificial” figurine purchased during Ganesh Chaturthi must be “released” into running water. Those who decide to leave it as a colorful souvenir, according to the Indians, will face a lot of troubles.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in almost every significant locality in India and far beyond the country's borders. The main places of celebration are the cult centers of Ganesha worship in Chennai, Pune and Orissa. During the holiday, a large number of pilgrims flock to the Ganesha Temple in Hyderabad, where the largest statue of the elephant-headed god in India is installed - about 16 meters. The most popular Ganesh Chaturthi festivals can be observed in the cities of the state of Maharashtra, which is officially patronized by Ganesha. In the state capital of Mumbai, the epicenter of the celebration is at the Siddhi Vinayaka Temple (one of Ganesha's titles), located in suburban Prabhadevi. Just during the Mumbai Ganesh Chaturthi alone About 150,000 statues of the “obstacle-removing” deity are lowered into the water.

Lord Ganesha's birthday is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. Ganesha (or Ganapati) is one of the most popular Hindu gods, worshiped by both Saivites and Vaishnavas; even Buddhists and Jains believe in it.

Known by many names, he is widely revered as Vighneshvara (Remover of Obstacles) and is therefore prayed to before starting any work or ceremony. His birthday is celebrated all over India, but is celebrated most widely in the state of Maharashtra.

For several months before this day, local artisans have been busy creating clay figurines of the deity. The images are made in a variety of sizes so that even the poorest devotee can afford to buy a figurine. On Ganesh Chaturthi, the figurine is brought into the house and installed in it. It lasts for 1, 5, 7 or 10 days. Whatever the period, the figure is worshiped with special prayers in the morning and evening, before the ceremony of immersion at the end of the festival in a river, well or sea.

In cities and villages, large figures of Ganesha are installed, which at the end of the holiday follow at the head of solemn processions. The holiday lasts 10 days and is accompanied by music and dance performances. In some parts of North India, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by schoolchildren. They decorate their writing boards with images of Ganesha and worship them; after that they walk around the village, sing songs, come to visit... Ganesha Chaturthi is considered the most auspicious day of the year for children going to school for the first time to start classes.

It is believed that you should not look at the moon on this day - it will bring bad luck. The story of this belief is as follows: one day Ganesha rode out on his vahana - a mouse. He accidentally fell off her. God Chandra (Moon) saw this and could not stop laughing. Angry, Ganesha immediately cursed him and said, “Whoever looks at the moon will be falsely accused or slandered.” Unable to bear the shame, Chandra hid in a lotus flower. When the world lost moonlight, the gods began to ask Ganesha to lift the curse. Chandra, repentant, asked for forgiveness. Ganesha reversed the curse, but insisted that Chandra's audacity not be forgotten. “Whoever sees the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi will suffer from this curse.” Therefore, if a person happens to look at the moon on this day, he can atone for his sin by throwing stones at his neighbors' house, provoking them to insult him, and thereby ending the curse. Even Lord Krishna suffered once on this day when he was falsely accused of stealing a jewel.

Lord Ganesha is considered a cheerful, sociable god. He has a good appetite and loves sweets! Therefore, piles of fruits and sweets, especially such as modak, are offered to him on this festival.

One of the most prominent holidays in the Indian calendar is the birthday of the god Ganesha. Every year, a colorful festival called Ganesh Chaturthi is held in his honor, where the people of India worship the deity and pray to him for well-being.

The day of celebration varies from year to year as it is the fourth day of the waxing moon of the month of Bhadra. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival takes place between August 19 and September 20.

For example, in 2014 it is August 29, in 2015 - September 1, and in 2016 and 2017 - August 30.

The history of Ganesha

Ganesha himself is known in India as the god of wisdom, abundance and prosperity. He is depicted as a man with the head of an elephant, with only one tusk. Each of these “oddities” has its own story.

The most common legend about the elephant's head is associated with the "parents" of Ganesha - and Parvati.

Ganesha did not allow father Shiva to enter Parvati's chambers, for which Shiva became angry and cut off his son's head. Parvati was furious at this act, and Shiva had to sew on Ganesha the head of the first creature he encountered - a baby elephant. This is where the legend ends, which means Parvati was happy with this outcome.

It is the elephant’s trunk that has become a symbol of well-being among the Hindus, because in their opinion, Ganesha’s trunk gets rid of all obstacles.

Why is Ganesha depicted with one tusk?

According to legend, he used the second one as a weapon when fighting a giant. The tusk turned the opponent into a rat, and perhaps that is why in some images Ganesha sits on it. Note that, being a strong and powerful animal, the elephant remains a herbivore: it does not kill for food, which once again testifies to the kindness of the god Ganesha.

Festivals in honor of Ganesha

Like many Indian gods, Ganesha is considered the helper of his people. Of course, he overcomes obstacles with his trunk! In order for Ganesha to be merciful, once a year a festival is held in his honor - Ganesh Chaturthi.

The celebration usually lasts ten days, but families reserve the right to glorify Ganesha for more than two weeks.

The festival takes place in most cities in India. On the day the festival begins, people gather in the largest square of the city, where many statues of Ganesha, the size of a little finger or taller than a man, have already been prepared.

The tallest statue of Ganesha can rightfully be called a figure in Hyderabad city, because her “height” is as much as 52 feet!

Devotees seek blessings from Ganesha sculpture in Hyderabad

At the festival, clergy gather around such sculptures, pray and sing songs. The purpose of such a ritual is to call life into the idol. For those who managed to establish a spiritual connection with Ganesha, life will improve, because there will be no more obstacles in it.

An important element in every Ganesh Chaturthi festival is the offering of gifts. Usually these are fruits, coconuts and milk: Ganesha is known to have a sweet tooth. The gifts are left under the Ganesha sculptures overnight so that God has time to feast on them.

It is worth saying that during the ten days of celebration, it is not advisable for believers themselves to consume these products, but this cannot be called fasting.

Worshipers offer treats to an elephant in Ahmedabad

Major celebration in Maharashtra

The Ganesha festival is especially bright and colorful in the “state” of Maharashtra. People gather in its capital - - a month before the celebration tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.

The city welcomes them cordially: it is organized for them free food and housing, as well as first aid stations. For guests there are free concerts, and if they are paid, then all the money goes to charity. Funds for such “excesses” were collected by clergy and religious residents.

After the end of the ten days of the vibrant festival in Maharashtra, all clay figurines of Ganesha are lowered into rivers and lakes: they help God return to heaven.

People carry sculptures depicting the deity Ganesha for immersion in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai

They wait for the arrival of Ganesha next year, planning in advance the course of the future festival. From the day the festival ends, a series of other Indian religious holidays begins, so Hindus do not have to get bored. Plus, preparing for them turns into a fairy tale, because now there are no obstacles in their way!

It is worth saying that the Ganesha festival takes place not only in India, but also in all countries where there are large Indian communities: the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand.

Conclusion

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival in India takes place once a year and the celebration lasts for ten days. Ganesha - god of prosperity and wisdom- protects the people and removes obstacles in their path. Hindus worship God throughout the festival bring him fruits, coconuts and sweets, pray to him and sing special songs to “make friends” with him.

The celebration of the birth of the god Ganesha is the first in a series of religious holidays in India!

Lord Ganesha's birthday is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. Ganesha (or Ganapati) is one of the most popular Hindu gods, worshiped by both Saivites and Vaishnavas; even Buddhists and Jains believe in it.

Known by many names, he is widely revered as Vighneshvara (Remover of Obstacles) and is therefore prayed to before starting any work or ceremony. His birthday is celebrated all over India, but is celebrated most widely in the state of Maharashtra.

For several months before this day, local artisans have been busy creating clay figurines of the deity. The images are made in a variety of sizes so that even the poorest devotee can afford to buy a figurine. On Ganesh Chaturthi, the figurine is brought into the house and installed in it. It lasts for 1, 5, 7 or 10 days. Whatever the period, the figure is worshiped with special prayers in the morning and evening, before the ceremony of immersion at the end of the festival in a river, well or sea.

In cities and villages, large figures of Ganesha are installed, which at the end of the holiday follow at the head of solemn processions. The holiday lasts 10 days and is accompanied by music and dance performances. In some parts of North India, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by schoolchildren. They decorate their writing boards with images of Ganesha and worship them; after that they walk around the village, sing songs, come to visit... Ganesha Chaturthi is considered the most auspicious day of the year for children going to school for the first time to start classes.

It is believed that you should not look at the moon on this day - it will bring bad luck. The story of this belief is as follows: one day Ganesha rode out on his vahana - a mouse. He accidentally fell off her. God Chandra (Moon) saw this and could not stop laughing. Angry, Ganesha immediately cursed him and said, “Whoever looks at the moon will be falsely accused or slandered.” Unable to bear the shame, Chandra hid in a lotus flower. When the world lost moonlight, the gods began to ask Ganesha to lift the curse. Chandra, repentant, asked for forgiveness. Ganesha reversed the curse, but insisted that Chandra's audacity not be forgotten. “Whoever sees the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi will suffer from this curse.” Therefore, if a person happens to look at the moon on this day, he can atone for his sin by throwing stones at his neighbors' house, provoking them to insult him, and thereby ending the curse. Even Lord Krishna suffered once on this day - he was falsely accused of stealing a jewel.

Lord Ganesha is considered a cheerful, sociable god. He has a good appetite and loves sweets! Therefore, piles of fruits and sweets, especially such as modak, are offered to him on this festival.