Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Holiday (Tuesday, 19th September 2023)

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the rebirth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God who brings prosperity and wisdom. This festival is observed on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, and usually falls between August and September in the English calendar. It is a holiday in many states of India, and the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday for the year 2023 is expected to occur on September 19th. Read on to know about Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 celebration and rituals.

When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2023?

The Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 date is expected to fall on 19th September. According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, occurs in the month of Bhadra; on the Gregorian calendar, it occurs in August or September.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Time and Muhurat

According to the Hindu calendar, Vinayak Chavithi 2023 will start at 12:39 pm on 18th September 2023 and end at 8:43 pm on 19th September.

The Vinayak Chaturthi 2023 muhurat will be between 11:01 am and 1:28 pm on 19th September 2023.

Time to avoid Moon sighting – 09:45 AM to 08:44 PM

Ganesh Chaturthi Significance

Lord Ganesha holds immense importance in the Hindu religion. He is worshiped before all other Gods. His rebirth after he was beheaded by lord Shiva is celebrated in the form of Ganesh Utsav. These celebrations also formed a way for freedom fighters to discuss and collaborate against the British. Lokmanya Tilak also said that these celebrations could bring together Brahmins and non-brahmins and erase the societal gap.

How is Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayagar Chaturthi) Celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day long celebration that includes decoration of Ganpati idols, prayers at homes and public temples, Ganesh Chaturthi aarti, and other cultural celebrations.

Here is what the 10 days look like:

Day 1 – Welcoming Lord Ganesha with Prayers and Clay Idols

Ganesh Chaturthi begins with the installation of Lord Ganesha’s idol in homes or public pandals (temporary structures) and the offering of prayers. Clay idols of varying sizes are available at stalls in the market, and devotees choose them based on where they are kept.

Day 2 – The Main Day of the Festival

 The second day is known as “Chaturthi” and is considered to be the most important day of the festival.

Day 3 – Special Prayers and Aarti for Lord Ganesha

On the third day, devotees offer special prayers and perform aarti (a Hindu ritual of worship) to Lord Ganesha.

Day 4 – Celebrating with Prayers, Aarti, and Sweets

The fourth day is celebrated with special prayers, aarti, and offerings of sweets to Lord Ganesha.

Day 5 – Worshiping Lord Ganesha with Shhodashopachara Pooja

On the fifth day, devotees perform “Shhodashopachara Pooja” (16 forms of worship) and offer special prayers to Lord Ganesha.

Day 6 – Celebrating with Prayers and Aartis at Homes

The sixth day is known as “Sashti” and is celebrated with special prayers and aartis at the homes of individuals.

Day 7 – Offering Special Prayers and Saptapadi to Lord Ganesha

On the seventh day, devotees perform “Saptapadi” (seven steps) and offer special prayers to Lord Ganesha.

Day 8 – Ashtami

The eighth day is known as “Ashtami” and is celebrated with special prayers, aarti, and offerings of sweets to Lord Ganesha.

Day 9 – Worship of Nine Plants

On the ninth day, devotees perform “Navapatrika Pooja” (worship of nine plants).

Day 10 – Grand Procession and Ganesh Visarjan

The tenth and final day is known as “Vijayadashami” and marks the end of the festival. The idol of Lord Ganesha is taken out in a grand procession and immersed in a nearby body of water. This is known as the Ganesh Visarjan.

Throughout the ten days, people visit public celebrations and houses of friends and family for celebrations. Cultural events with music and dance performances are organised, and people enjoy the festivities. Devotees also donate clothes and food to the needy and get involved in other acts of charity.

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Vinayaka Chaturthi 2023 Rituals

Vinayak Chaturthi celebrations bring together people from various walks of life, different strata of society, and all castes. The festivities include a multitude of religious, cultural, as well as fun rituals. While these vary from state to state, below are the common ones:

1. Ganapati Decoration at Home or Pandal

 Gorgeously decorated stalls, pandals and houses mark the welcome of Ganesha for 10 days of festivities.

2. Setting Up the Idol

People choose from a wide variety of clay idols and set them in a decorated spot in their house or pandal.

3. Regular Puja and Aarti

Both houses and pandals come alive with positive energy as regular aarti is performed during the 10 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. Flowers and sweets are offered to the idol, and mantras and bhajans are played amidst lamps and incense.

4. Making and Offering Modaks

Religious texts have it that Lord Ganesha loves modaks, a sweet made with rice flour and having sweetened coconut as filling. These sweet dumplings are thus made in many homes as an offering to Lord Ganesha. Sweet stalls and shops are also full of the amazing fragrance of modaks.

5. Fasting

Fasting is a common ritual in various communities. People fast as a form of devotion and seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings.

6. Idol Immersion

Amidst music and dancing, the idol of lord Ganesha is immersed in a water body to symbolise his return to his home. This is known as visarjan.

7. Charity

Devotees use Ganesh Chaturthi as an opportunity to do good for the underprivileged. They donate clothes and food to the needy through various charity initiatives and events.

Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan

Families and communities that bring Ganesha idol during Ganesh Chaturthi, pamper the lord with their hospitality for 10 days, and later bid him a hearty farewell to see him off to his home in Kailash. This is done by immersing his idol in water in a ceremony called the Visarjan. This is generally done on the 10^th day of bringing him home. The day is called Ananth Chaturdashi and marks the end of Ganesh Utsav. Devotees sing, dance, play dhol and celebrate prasad on this day.

Ganesh Chaturthi Prasad

Prasad refers to sweet offerings that devotees offer to Lord Ganesha and then distribute after the aarti. While Modak offering is one of the rituals, other sweets are also offered as prasad. This includes Puran Poli (stuffed sweet maida flatbread), til laddoos, coconut laddoos, motichoor laddoos, etc. People either prepare the sweets at home or buy from a multitude of sweet shops that specialise in Ganesh Chaturthi prasad.

Which States Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that honors Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God known as the remover of obstacles and the God of beginnings and wisdom. The festival is also referred to as Vinayak Chaturthi and is celebrated during the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the Shukla Chaturthi. The date of the festival typically falls between August and September, and it lasts for ten days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. Here are top states in which Ganesh Charturthi is celebrated

1. Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav, by installing small clay statues of Lord Ganesha for worship during the festival. Families typically purchase puja items or accessories a few days before the festival and book the Ganesh murti from local artisans as early as a month in advance to prepare for the celebration at home.

 2. Rajasthan

 In Rajasthan, people cover an image of Lord Ganesha with red kumkum and adorn it with a garland of red flowers. They then place the idol of Lord Ganesha right outside their entry gates in many households.

3. Gujarat

In Gujarat, Ganesh Chaturthi festival is also known as “Ganesh Utsav” and is observed for ten days. During this time, people install idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes, as well as in public pandals (temporary structures).

4. Goa

In Goa, people celebrate the Ganesh Festival by beginning with the purchase and ceremonial installation of a clay murti (statue) at their homes. Families decorate a room by placing a matoli (a wooden canopy) adorned with flowers, seasonal vegetables, and fruits before bringing God home and placing the idol on an altar.

5. Karnataka

In Karnataka,during the festival, people celebrate by privately installing clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes, as well as publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages). They observe the festival by chanting Vedic hymns and reciting Hindu texts, such as prayers and vrata (fasting).

6. Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, people typically worship clay (Matti Vinayakudu) and turmeric (Siddhi Vinayakudu) Ganesh Murtis at home, rather than using plaster of Paris Murtis.Devotees prepare coconut rice and coconut laddoos as offerings to Lord Ganesh during the festival. Married women exchange thalis made of willow, which contain ingredients such as turmeric, rice, flowers, fruits, and cereals. In addition, public processions and celebrations also take place during the festival in Andhra Pradesh and other southern states.

7. Telangana

In Telangana, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by installing clay idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and public pandals. They offer various sweets as prasad, prepare traditional dishes, and organize cultural events. On the final day, the idols are taken out in processions and immersed in water bodies, marking the end of the festival.

Destinations to Spend Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Holidays

Ganesh Chaturthi holidays are a great time to experience culture and traditions by seeing the festivities in various states. Below are the top Indian destinations to spend the Ganesh Chaturthi holidays in 2023:

1. Mumbai

The zeal of Ganesh Utsav in Mumbai is unmatched. You can spot massive pandals and festive fervour across the city. These celebrations were popularized by Maratha king Shivaji and later by Lokmanya Tilak. Popular Mumbai pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja attract devotees from all parts of India and put up a mesmerising show of devotion, art, and culture.

2. Pune

This is another city from the state of Maharashtra that redefines grandeur when it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The events and pandals are a magnanimous mix of culture and religion. Among the best pandals are Kasba Ganpati, Jogeshwari Ganpati, and Guruji Talim.

3. Goa

 Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Goa is an occasion of fun and frolic and unites friends and families over prayers and festivities. Merchant associations organise gorgeous pandals.

4. Hyderabad

The enthusiasm for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in south India is comparable to that in central India. Hyderabad is one city that gives Ganesh Utsav a royal touch. Kharitabad in Hyderabad often sets up the biggest Ganesh idol.

5. Ganpatipule

This small city in India is famous for its Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, which always has a unique Ganpati idol and hosts colorful celebrations on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a must-visit for those looking for true cultural vibes of Ganesh Utsav.

Other Countries where Ganesh Chaturthi is Celebrated

Ganesh Chaturthi is primarily a Hindu festival celebrated in India, but it is also observed in other countries around the world with significant Hindu populations. Here are top countries where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated.

1. Nepal

In Nepal, to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, devotees bring home idols of Lord Ganesh and worship the deity, enjoy good food with friends and family, and ultimately immerse the idols. Temples also participate in the celebration by offering prayers and distributing sweets, such as modaks, which are Lord Ganesh’s favorite.

2. Malaysia

In Malaysia,the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi commence with the pranprathistha ritual, which involves invoking the lord’s presence on earth and worshiping him with various sweet dishes and delicious food items for nine days. On the final day, a large procession carries the idol to the nearest water body and immerses it.

3. Singapore

In Singapore, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by worshiping Lord Ganesha at home and, if possible, visiting the temple in the evening. They decorate small Ganesha idols with flowers and other decorative materials, and apply kumkum and turmeric to them. Sugarcane and corn are presented to Lord Ganesha as offerings, and people decorate their front gates with a bunch of mango leaves.

4. Canada

In Toronto, the capital of Canada, where there is a significant Indian population, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by bringing Ganesha idols from their respective homes in India. They make this event grand by arranging get-togethers, installing Ganesha idols, singing Aarti, distributing Prasad, and organizing cultural and religious programs.

5. Mauritius

The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius follow a pattern that is quite similar to the one followed in India. People clean their houses thoroughly and decorate them with flowers. They welcome the lord into their homes on the first day and place him on a pedestal decorated with flowers and sandalwood.

Ganesha, who is believed to be a big foodie, is offered Modak every day by devotees. Modak is a sweet dish made with rice flour, jaggery, and coconut stuffing.

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Why is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Shri Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honor Lord Ganesha. According to legend, he is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. His head was cut by lord Shiva when he was a child. He was guarding the house while his mother was taking a bath. She had told him not to let anyone in. When he stopped Lord Shiva despite his insistence, Lord Shiva slashed his head in a fit of rage. Goddess Parvati was furious and inconsolable, and threatened to destroy the universe if he didn’t come back to life. 

Lord Brahma attached the head of an elephant to bring the little boy back to life. Since that day, Lord Ganesha is worshiped as the God with the elephant head. He is also known to eliminate obstacles from the lives of his devotees. The festival is thus celebrated to celebrate Lord Ganesha’s rebirth, express devotion and to get rid of any obstacles in the way of success and prosperity.

Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak also encouraged these celebrations to facilitate a gathering of freedom fighters and strategise moves against British rule.

History and Background of Ganesh Chaturthi

Shivaji introduced grand celebrations on the occasion of Vinaygar Chaturthi. It was the 18^th century, and the Peshwas started public celebrations in Pune during Bhadrapada month. 

However, these celebrations were restricted to homes during British rule.

In 1893, Bal Gangadhar Tilak brought back the tradition of community celebrations to collaborate with other freedom fighters and strategise against the British. These community celebrations were called Sarvajanik Utsav. He also wanted Brahmins and non-brahmins to come together on the pretext of these celebrations. 

However, during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the idols were made and immersed on the same day, every day for a complete month. This would culminate in feasts and festivities for the community. Later, some stuck to this month-long ritual, but affluent families moved to keep the idol for 1.5, 3, 5 or 10 days. 

Final word

Ganesh Chaturthi holiday is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion throughout India and other countries with significant Hindu populations. It marks the rebirth of Lord Ganesha and is observed for ten days, with people offering prayers, sweets, and other offerings to the deity. Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 is expected to fall on September 19th and is a holiday in many states of India. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate, enjoy good food, and seek blessings from Lord Ganesha for prosperity and wisdom.

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