How to celebrate Vinayak Chaturthi?

Vinayak Chaturthi, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most significant Hindu festivals that is popularly celebrated by Hindus and people of other faiths in India and abroad. It is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadra which falls roughly around mid August to mid September, according to the Julian calendar. This year the festival is slated to be celebrated on the 9th of September 2013. People all across India, particularly those from the state of Maharashtra other south-western states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa e.t.c celebrate Vinayak Chaturthi with great aplomb.
Find specifications of Ganesha Puja and special mantras at:
www.theganeshaexperience.com

What is special about Ganesha Puja during Vinayak Chaturthi?
Since the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated over 10 days, there are some differences in puja styles when compared to the daily worship of Lord Ganesha. During the festival’s first day or a day before it, idols of the Elephant headed God is brought home. Artisans begin making these statues out of clay months in advance and sometimes due to heavy demand the Murtikaars or the sculptors run their workshops day and night to put the final touches to the splendid statues.
The statues vary in size between a few inches in height to an awesome 25 metres. The painstaking work of making these idols to perfection is often rewarded well by patrons who compete with each other trying to best one another with the most spectacular puja arrangements.
The idols are brought into houses, factories and offices. They are also found in street corners where large bamboo structures ate erected and covered by cloths to resemble beautiful and colourful temples. Creativity of the artists who make these structures, also known as Pandals know no bounds. Entire streets are lit up, roads are demarcated for the travel of pedestrians and of traffic.
On the first day of the puja the priest ceremoniously chants mantras and breathes life into the idols. This process is called the “Pranasthapana”. This is done during distinct times of the day, in consultation with various priests and their charts of astrology.
Following this event, for the rest of the days, the idol is decorated with red sandalwood paste known as Rakht Chandan and other sweet smelling incenses and flowers. Then each idol is worshipped by elaborate oil and camphor lamps known as Deepaks or Pradeeps. Then Ganesha’s favourite sweet dish, the Modak is offered. All of these things are done to the tune of music and ancient Ganesha mantras derived from sacred vedic and puranic texts. All of these procedures are called Aartis and there are specific times of day allocated for each step. For specific timings and greater details visit: http://theganeshaexperience.com/ganesh-chaturthi-2013

The End of the Festival:

On the day of the Anant Chaturdashi i.e the 14th day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra. Large numbers of devotees make their way to the nearest water bodies to immerse the idols. The act is symbolic of bidding the Vighnaharta God (remover of obstacle) adieu as He leaves with all of His devotees’ misfortune and bad luck, with the promise of return the following year.
Colourful processions are taken out. People wear their new and best clothing. The carriers of the idols play with colour and smear each other with the same vermillion that adorns the forehead of the deity. People from all strata of society, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, attend this event and the beaches and river banks transform into fair grounds with a wide variety of sweets and other edibles on sale. Entertainment rides are also placed in certain places. In short, it is the Indian version of the carnival the city of Rio-de-Janeiro is famous for. Everywhere one hears the cheer of:
“Ganapati Bappa Morya
Purchya Varshi Laukariya”
Translation: Ganapati our beloved father/Come again to us next year.
Thus with the blessing of Lord Ganesha, ends the entire festival of Vinayaka Chaturthi only to be reorganised the following year!

for more visit: http://theganeshaexperience.com/ganesh-chaturthi-2013