What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Last night and today, September 3rd, Ganesha has been brought home to many Hindu homes.  Ganesh–who goes by many names like, Ganesh, Ganesha, Ganpati, just to name a few–is the son of Parvati.  There are many wonderful reasons why Ganesh has an elephant head.  The most popular reason has to do with his creation and guarding of his mother.  Parvati, because she finally just wanted some privacy, created a boy made of clay and oils from her own body.  She told this boy to guard her room as she wanted to take a bath without being bothered.  Well, Parvati’s husband Shiva–who is known for having a bit of a temper–insisted on visiting Parvati during her bath.  Ganesh, the boy standing guard, would not allow this!  As a fight ensued, the boy’s head was cut off! 

Well, you can imagine this devastated Parvati, the boy’s mother.  She was very, very enraged with Shiva.  Shiva needed to make it up to Parvati and fast.  He sent a servant out to find a head to replace the head that was just cut off.  The first living being found was an elephant, and the elephant gladly gave up his head for this slaughtered boy.  Once the elephant head was placed on Ganesh, his life was restored.  When Shiva asked his wife if she was now happy and would forgive him, she said, “Fine, but only if Ganesh is the first God to be worshiped on the Hindu calendar.” 

The celebration starting today marks the beginning of the Hindu calendar.  Ganesha is brought into Hindu homes and he will stay there as an honored guest for up to eleven days.  Ganesh is one who removes all obstacles and blesses the home with good fortune.  Since he is a guest in the Hindu home, he must be treated as one: he will never be left alone, he will receive treats of food and money while he is there, and he will never have any backs face him.  There are many pujas (prayer ceremonies) to celebrate his visit.  Upon his departure–that may only take place on an odd day of his visit–he is brought to the sea or a body of water to be immersed.  It is at this time that a very magical ceremony of singing and dancing followed up by prayers to Ganesh that he is immersed in the water, and it is asked of him that he return for a visit the next year: Ganpati Bapa Moriya!