Ganesh Utsav preparations are in full swing across the country, with beautifully crafted Ganesh idols, vibrant pandals and glittering lights, communities across the country are all set to honour Lord Ganesha with reverence and devotion. The festival, which holds a special place in the hearts of millions, is celebrated prominently in Maharashtra and is also celebrated on a grand scale in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The 10-day festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of all obstacles and the patron god of wisdom and intelligence.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in August or September. The festival culminates on Anant Chaturdashi, when idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies, symbolizing the deity’s return to his heavenly abode.
Also read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: 5 festive sweet recipes that use millets
When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Dates and Puja Timings:
Ganesh Chaturthi on Saturday, September 7, 2024
Midday Ganesh Puja Muhurta – 11:03 to 13:34
Duration – 02 hrs 31 mins
Ganesh Visarjan on Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Previous day’s time to avoid Chandra Darshan – 06 September from 15:01 to 20:16
Duration – 05 hrs 15 mins
Time to avoid Chandra Darshan – 09:30 to 20:45
Duration – 11 hours 15 minutes
Chaturthi Tithi Start – 06 September 2024 from 15:01
Chaturthi Tithi Ends – 07 September 2024 at 17:37
(Source: Drikpanchang)
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Significance and Rituals:
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of devotion, celebration and community bonding. Devotees bring home or set up community pandals adorned with colourful decorations and lights, where they install idols of Lord Ganesha. Daily prayers, rituals and offerings are performed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for prosperity, success and wisdom.
Devotees bring home or set up community pandals and install beautifully decorated idols of Lord Ganesha. Prayers, offerings and rituals are performed daily during the 10-day festival. Homes and pandals are decorated with flowers, lights and other decorations. On the last day, idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies, symbolizing his departure. Various sweet and savory dishes are offered as bhog (prasad), including Lord Ganesha’s favorite – modaks.
Also read: Ganesh Chaturthi Special: 7 Unique Modak Recipes to Please Lord Ganesha
Modak is offered on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
What is Modak?
No Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is complete without modaks, a sweet dish said to be a favourite of Lord Ganesha. Modak, a traditional Maharashtrian dessert, is a steamed dumpling made from rice flour or wheat flour and stuffed with a mixture of grated coconut, jaggery and cardamom. The soft outer shell and sweet, yummy filling make modaks a delicious delicacy loved by people of all ages.
Modaks hold a special place in Ganesh Chaturthi rituals. It is customary to offer 21 modaks to Lord Ganesha during puja, as it is believed to please the deity and bless the devotees. The significance of this number lies in the belief that 21 represents perfection and the totality of offerings made to the deities. While modaks are the most popular prasad, other sweets like laddoos and barfis are also made and shared among family and friends during the festival.
How Modak became Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet
The story of how modaks became Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet is rooted in Hindu mythology, with various stories explaining its significance. According to a report by ANI, one of the most popular stories centres around Lord Ganesha’s maternal grandmother, Queen Menavati. As per the story, Queen Menavati loved her grandson very much and would often prepare laddus for him and send them to Mount Kailash. One day Goddess Parvati learnt that there were no laddus on Mount Kailash to feed Ganesha. In her quest to find a solution, Parvati decided to make a new kind of sweet that was faster to prepare and would satisfy Ganesha. She came up with the idea of making modaks, which took less time to make than laddus. To her delight, Lord Ganesha loved the modaks,
No matter what the story is, the connection between Ganesha and modaks has become an enduring symbol of this festival. And nothing can be more delicious than homemade modaks. If you want to make modaks this festival, we have some easy recipes for you. Click here.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2024!
