Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Puja, Significance, and Visarjan Timings

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Summary

Ganesh Chaturthi, the popular Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, will be celebrated with grandeur starting September 7, 2024. The festival, which spans ten days, will see the installation of Ganesha idols in homes, temples, and public pandals across India, with significant celebrations in Maharashtra.

The auspicious time for welcoming Lord Ganesha begins at 3:01 PM on September 6 and ends at 5:37 PM on September 7. Devotees are advised to perform the Ganesh Chaturthi puja between 11:03 AM and 1:34 PM on September 7 for maximum spiritual benefits.

The festival will culminate with Ganesh Visarjan on September 17, where idols will be immersed in water bodies, symbolizing the deity’s return to his celestial abode. Various auspicious timings for the Visarjan have been announced to ensure the ritual is performed correctly.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with cultural activities, music, dance, and the preparation of Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet, modak. The festival not only holds religious significance but also brings people together, fostering a sense of community and unity.

For more details on the puja rituals and Visarjan timings, devotees can refer to local religious authorities or community leaders.

Introduction

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is a significant Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity. Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune, is often invoked at the start of any new endeavor, intellectual pursuit, or business venture. This 10-day-long celebration is observed with great fervor and devotion by Hindus worldwide, particularly in India.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

In Hinduism, the months of Sawan and Bhadrapada hold special importance. Sawan is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, while Bhadrapada is associated with the worship of Lord Ganesha. According to religious beliefs, Lord Ganesha was born on the Chaturthi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Each year, his birth is celebrated as a grand festival that lasts for ten days.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Key Dates and Timings

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration

In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi will commence on September 7, and the festivities will culminate with Ganesh Visarjan on September 17. The festival will begin with the installation of Lord Ganesha’s idols in homes, temples, and public pandals. The auspicious time to welcome Lord Ganesha will start at 03:01 PM on September 6 and end at 05:37 PM on September 7. The most favorable time for the Ganesh Chaturthi puja will be from 11:03 AM to 01:34 PM on September 7.

Ganesh Visarjan Timings

Ganesh Visarjan, the ritual immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol, marks the end of the festival and is performed with great devotion. Here are the auspicious timings for Ganesh Visarjan in 2024:

September 7 (Ganesh Chaturthi Day)

• Afternoon (1:34 PM – 5:01 PM)
• Evening (6:35 PM – 8:01 PM)
• Night (9:27 PM – 1:45 AM, September 8)
• Dawn (4:37 AM – 6:03 AM, September 8)

September 8 (One and a Half Days)

• Afternoon (1:52 PM – 3:26 PM)
• Evening (6:34 PM – 10:53 PM)
• Night (1:45 AM – 3:11 AM, September 9)
• Dawn (4:37 AM – 6:03 AM, September 9)

September 9 (Third Day)

• Morning (6:03 AM – 7:37 AM)
• Morning (9:11 AM – 10:44 AM)
• Afternoon (1:52 PM – 6:33 PM)
• Evening (6:33 PM – 7:59 PM)
• Night (10:52 PM – 12:18 AM, September 10)

September 11 (Fifth Day)

• Morning (10:44 AM – 12:17 PM)
• Afternoon (3:24 PM – 6:31 PM)
• Evening (7:57 PM – 12:18 AM, September 12)
• Dawn (3:11 AM – 4:38 AM, September 12)
• Morning (6:04 AM – 9:11 AM)

September 13 (Seventh Day)

• Morning (6:05 AM – 10:44 AM)
• Afternoon (12:17 PM – 1:50 PM, 4:55 PM – 6:28 PM)
• Night (9:23 PM – 10:50 PM)
• Night (12:17 AM – 4:38 AM, September 14)

September 17 (10th Day)

• Morning (9:11 AM – 1:47 PM)
• Afternoon (3:19 PM – 4:51 PM)
• Evening (7:51 PM – 9:19 PM)
• Night (10:47 PM – 3:12 AM, September 18)

source: drikpanchang

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Rituals and Materials

Rituals

Ganesh Chaturthi has four main rituals: Pranapratishtha, Shodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Visarjan.

1. Pranapratishtha: This ritual involves invoking life into the clay idol of Lord Ganesha through the chanting of mantras by a priest.
2. Shodashopachara: Following Pranapratishtha, 16 different rituals are performed to honor Lord Ganesha.
3. Uttarpuja: This ritual is about bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha before the Visarjan.
4. Visarjan: The immersion of the idol in a water body, symbolizing the return of Lord Ganesha to his celestial abode.

Puja Materials

If you are planning to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home, here is a list of essential puja materials:

• Ganesh Idol
• Wooden Platform
• Banana Plants
• Yellow and Red Cloth
• New Clothes
• Sacred Thread (Janeu)
• Sandalwood Paste
• Flowers
• Rice Grains (Akshat)
• Betel Leaves
• Betel Nuts
• Seasonal Fruits
• Incense Sticks
• Oil Lamp
• Holy Water (Gangajal)
• Camphor
• Vermillion (Sindoor)
• Water Pot (Kalash)
• Modak (Sweet Dumplings)
• Bananas

Celebration and Cultural Significance

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and devotion. Months before the festival, artisans begin crafting beautiful clay idols of Lord Ganesha. Homes, temples, and public spaces are adorned with flowers, lights, and rangoli designs.

In Maharashtra

Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai, is famous for its grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Gigantic idols are installed in pandals, and the air is filled with the sounds of devotional songs and drum beats. Communities come together to celebrate, sing, dance, and prepare delicious meals.

Modak: Lord Ganesha’s Favorite

Modak, a sweet dumpling, is considered Lord Ganesha’s favorite prasad. It is offered to him during the puja along with other sweets and fruits.

Farewell Procession

On the tenth day, a grand procession is organized for the Visarjan of the idol. People chant “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya,” which means “Goodbye Lord Ganesha, please come back next year.” The idol is then immersed in a nearby river or sea, symbolizing the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival; it is a celebration of faith, unity, and cultural heritage. The rituals and traditions associated with the festival bring people together and create a sense of community. As we prepare to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024, let us embrace the spirit of devotion and joy that this auspicious occasion brings.