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Ganesh Chaturthi
10 days · Ganesha · maharashtra, karnataka, andhra-pradesh, telangana, tamil-nadu, diaspora
When: Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi (August-September); 10-day festival ending on Anant Chaturdashi
The Story
Multiple stories: (1) Parvati created Ganesha from sandalwood paste; Shiva beheaded him in conflict, then restored him with an elephant's head; (2) Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesha as scribe; (3) Ganesha is the first to be worshipped in any puja by Shiva's command.
Vidhi · How It's Done
- Day 1: Pranapratishtha and ghatasthapana of clay Ganesha murti at home/pandal
- Daily worship 16-step shodashopachara
- Modak offering (Ganesha's favorite — 21 modaks traditional)
- Recitation of Ganapati Atharvashirsha, Sankashta-nashana stotra, Ganesha Pancharatnam
- Aarti morning and evening
- Pratahsmaran of Vakratunda Mahakaya shloka
- Final day: Visarjan procession with chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa'
Key Mantras
- वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
- ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
- Ganapati Atharvashirsha
Bhog · Festival Foods
Modak (ukadiche, talniche, fried, chocolate) · Karanji · Puran poli · Shrikhand · Ladoo (motichoor, besan) · Coconut barfi
Regional Variants
- · Maharashtra: largest celebration; ghar Ganpati 1.5/3/5/7/10 days; massive pandals (Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai)
- · Karnataka: Vinayaka Chavithi; Kadubu (steamed dumplings) instead of modak
- · Andhra/Telangana: Vinayaka Chavithi; clay murtis avoiding chemical paint encouraged
- · Tamil Nadu: Vinayaka Chaturthi; Pillayar prayers
Sources: Skanda Purāṇa · Padma Purāṇa · Bhaviṣya Purāṇa · Nirṇaya Sindhu · Awaiting scholar verification.