Ganesh Chaturhi

Ganesh Chaturhi

Ganesh chaturthi is the most awaited festival in state of Goa. It’s an important Hindu festival, celebrated with great prompt and enthusiasm. According to hindu calendar the festival starts on Shukla Chaturthi and ends in 10 days of time on Anant Chaturdashi.  On this day, the devotees of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, offer prayers to their deity and seek his blessings. In Goa this festival is celebrated by keeping the idol at home for one and half days, five days, seven days, nine days, eleven days, or 21 days. 

Lalbagcha Raja..!!

Ganesh idol at my place this year.

Unlike others even we have Ganesh Idol at our house every year for one and half days. I like this festival the most because only during this festival my all cousins come our house and stay till the entire festival.

 On the Chovoth day, in the morning or evening, a clay idol of Ganapati is brought home. Before that a matov is prepared with bunches of betel nut, coconut, bananas and branches of mango-trees being necessary ingredients of it. The puja of Ganapati goes on until mid-day. The puja is performed with the help of the priest.At least five vegetables are cooked on that day. Aartis is a special performance on the occasion of the Ganapati festival.

On the second day, in the evening or at night, after performing the uttar puja of the Idol of Ganapati, it is taken in procession and immersed into a water body be it the sea, creek, river, lake or well. Before the idol is removed from its stand for immersion, it is besought for the welfare of the household and its members.

If the ganesha is for five days then the third day of Chovoth means, days of great rejoicing for children. Girls collect different types and shapes of leaves for Gauri, Mahadev and Ganapati. There is competition in flower-making also. Aartis is a special performance on the occasion of the Ganapati festival. It is performed twice i.e afternoon and night everyday during the festival.

On Panchami (fifth) day, in the evening, crowds of people move around the village to have a look at Ganapati also the decorations and dekhavas. Women of the masses, dance and sing the Fugdi before Ganapati. Some houses keep Ganapati for five, seven or nine days and rarely up to Anant Chaturdashi.In the evening or at night, after performing the uttar puja of the Idol of Ganapati, it is taken in procession with lot of fireworks and immersed into a water.