Ganesh Mahotsav or Ganesh Festival - 2016


Ganesh Chaturthi (or) Vinayak Chaturthi (or) Ganeshotsav (or) Ganesh Mahotsav (or) Ganesh Festival  


This year  the Ganeshotsav (or) Ganesh Mahotsav will be celebrated from  Ganesh Chaturthi , Monday, 5th September, 2016 till Anant Chaturdashi , Thursday, 15th September 2016.



Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of God Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksh) of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world.

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Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Time = 11:04 to 13:34
Duration = 2 Hours 29 Mins

On 4th, Time to Avoid Moon Sighting = 18:54 to 20:30
Duration = 1 Hour 35 Mins

On 5th, Time to Avoid Moon Sighting = 09:16 to 21:05
Duration = 11 Hours 48 Mins

Chaturthi Tithi Begins = 18:54 on 4/Sep/2016
Chaturthi Tithi Ends = 21:09 on 5/Sep/2016


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Ganesh Mahotsav starts from 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and  lasts for 10 days, ending on the day of 'Ananta Chaturdashi'.

 Although celebrated all across India, Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a really important festival especially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan and South India.

This Ganesh festival is about bringing home brilliantly crafted idols of the God, and there he will sit in state till Ganesh Chaturthi on September 19, when he is devotedly immersed in water.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

The ten-day festival starts from the fourth day of the bright half (shukla paksh) of the lunar month, Bhadrapada and continues till the fourteenth day.Thousands join in and form the many processions that fill the streets when the time comes for the image to be immersed in water...the nearby sea, river or lake. The festival brings with it a feeling of comradeship. Everyone wants to participate.





* On the first day the clay form of Ganpati is brought home with great devotion. 


* Prayers are said and songs chanted to the accompaniment of music from the mridanga or two-sided drum and the jhanj or cymbals. 


* Some devotees select and buy their Ganpati on the same day and others place their orders months in advance. 


* The figures are often very large, standing several metres high. 


* These larger Ganesh images are usually ordered by neighbourhood puja committees, the entire neighbourhood contributing towards the purchase.

* After the Ganpati image is collected it is ceremoniously installed in a place of honour and various rituals take place. 


* The Ganpati is decorated with ornaments, flowers and lights.


* Puja and aarti are performed every morning and evening using flowers, rice, betel nuts and leaves, turmeric, red powder, coins and oil lamps. 


* Men and women, the old and young all join in.


* Special sweets called modaks are steamed or fried for offering to Ganpati. Modaks are small rice or wheat flour dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery. These are served at the festive meals during the festival. 


* Additionally, a large variety of savoury and sweet snacks such as karanjis, ladoos, chaklis, kadbolis and anarsas are distributed to devotees and guests during the pujas.

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Ganpati Visarjan or  Immersion




 

* On the tenth day of the festival this happy loving god leaves for his celestial home and is immersed in water.


* Huge processions made up of different groups all accompanying the image of Ganpati that they have worshipped, make their way by foot to the immersion site, a nearby lake ,river or sea. 


* The very large images are transported by truck. All this is done to the accompaniment of dancing and singing. 


*The people dance with great enthusiasm and singing rents the air, urging the god to return post haste the next year.

"Ganpati bappa, moriya! Pudhchya Varshi, Lavakar yaa!"


गणपति बप्पा मोरया, अगले बरस तू जल्दी आ

meaning :-- Ganesha my Lord, please return soon next year.

* The immersion ceremony, which is known as the 'visarjan', marks the end of the festivities.


* The sight of the crowded streets, the different Ganesh images and the happy people is an amazing spectacle.


*  In large towns special roads are demarcated for these processions and the traffic police and users of cars, buses and two-wheelers display notable patience with the crowds and never-ending processions.


Ganpati Visarjan Dates
 
The largest Ganesh statues, on display to the public, are usually immersed on Ananta Chaturdasi -- 11 days after the first day of the Ganesh festival. However, many people who keep a Ganesh in their homes choose to perform the immersion much before this. There are no hard and fast rules as to when it's done. Rather it's up to personal preference. However, the immersions do follow a schedule and are only performed on selected days. These are as follows.


Dates for Ganesh Visarjan / Immersion / Nimajjan in 2016

*One and half day Ganesh Visarjan – 06/09/2016
*Third Day Ganpati Visarjan – 07/09/2016
*Fifth Day Ganesh Visarjan – 09/09/2016 (along with Jyeshta Gauri)
*Seventh Day Ganesh Visarjan –11/09/2016
*Tenth Day Ganesh Visarjan – 14/09/2016
*Anant Chaturdashi last day of Ganesh Visarjan – 15/09/2016


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Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

 
Ganpati is after all a most popular god. His blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as he is the god who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities. He is also the god who brings prosperity.

The fervour with which devotees celebrate the birthday of their most loved deity – Lord Ganesha suggests the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi in their lives.


According to the popular belief, Lord Ganesha descends on the earth on Ganesh Chaturthi to stay with his devotees for the course of ten days and clear all their obstacles. In return devotees pamper their beloved Lord Ganesha as an honoured guest and prepare his favourite sweets – modaks.


People also worship Ashtavinayak -- the eight embodiments of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. It is believed that Ashtavinayak eliminated the negative energy of evil powers from this world and this belief adds to the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi as it is believed that Ganesha always come to eradicate the evil from this planet.


Breaking coconuts is considered auspicious on Ganesh Chaturthi as when it is smashed on the floor it absorbs the negative energy from the atmosphere and thus ensuring your success henceforth in every venture you undertake.


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Origin of the Ganpati Festival or the Ganeshotsav 

 
This colourful festival is a very Maharashtrian one, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In fact it is the most popular festival in the State. There are several reasons for this.

Ganpati, the god of wisdom and the benevolent deity of the dynasty of Peshwas who ruled Maharashtra inculcating a special culture in the state. Ganpati is the herald of auspicious beginnings and is the beloved deity of all Maharashtrians.

* The Ganeshotsav was celebrated at the houses of leading Sardar families like Patwardhan, Mujumdar, Khasgiwale etc. 


* In 1893, Sardar Nanasaheb Khasgiwale for the first time celebrated the utsav as a public festival and that year Ghotawdekar, Kasgiwale and Bhau Rangari these three Savajanik Ganesh utsav's were celebrated and for the first time * There was a procession also taken out on the roads. 


* The well known freedom fighter and statesman, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, saw in the festival a way of uniting people in a common cause and in this manner a possible means of bringing about political consciousness under the guise of a religious celebration, with freedom for India being the ultimate goal. 


* Lokmanya Tilak also started celebrating Ganesutsav as a public festival by establishing a Sarvajanik Ganpati at Vinchurkarwada in 1894 and today it is the most popular event in the State.


* It was a unique move by this freedom fighter, which he acheived with the Ganpati Visarjana or immersion procession which is taken out on the final day of  the ganesh festival.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Myth

 
A popular myth associated with Ganesh Chaturthi is that one should refrain from looking at the moon on this day. The fable behind this myth goes like on one of his birthdays, Lord Ganesha after stuffing his belly with modaks, rode on his mouse that stumbled after seeing a snake. This resulted in Ganesha falling down, bursting out his stomach and spilling all the modaks. Ganesha stuffed all the modaks back into his stomach and tied his belly with the snake. Seeing this moon in the sky starting laughing heartily, which annoyed Ganesha and he cursed moon that anyone who will look at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will invite a bad luck. Since then people abstain from looking at the moon on the festival.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Beliefs

In Hindu mythology Lord Ganesha is known as the lord of beginnings and as the lord of obstacle remover. Hence all auspicious occasions and religious functions begin by invoking his blessings. According to Hindu mythology anyone who reveres Lord Ganesha before starting any religious occasion or marriage ceremony receives his blessings which help in a successful culmination of the occasion. Lord Ganesha is also associated with commerce and traders till date seek his blessings before starting any new venture.

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Ganesha Ji's Aarti

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya.!.

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!

Om gan ganapateye namo namah,
Shri siddhi vinaayak namo namah,
Ast vinaayak namo namah,
Ganpati bappa morya….!


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Jai Dev Jai Dev – Ganesha Ji's Aarti


Shendur Lal Chadhayo Achchha Gajmukhko
Dondil Lal Biraje Sut Gauriharko

Hath Liye Gudladdu Sai Survarko
Mahima Kahe Na Jay Lagat Hoo Padko

Jai Dev Dev Jai Shri Ganaraj Vidhyasukhdata
Dhanya Tumara Darshan Mera Man Ramata

Jai Dev Dev Jai Shri Ganaraj Vidhyasukhdata
Dhanya Tumara Darshan Mera Man Ramata

Bhavbhagati Se Koi Sharanagat Ave
Santat Sampat Sabahi Bharpur Pave

Aise Tum Maharaj Moko Ati Bhave
Gosavinandan Nishidin Gun Gave,

Jai Dev Dev Jai Shri Ganaraj Vidhyasukhdata
Dhanya Tumara Darshan Mera Man Ramata   


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Jai Ganesh Deva Aarti

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva (Chorus)

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva (Chorus)

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari,
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari, (Chorus)
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari,
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari, (Chorus)
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari,
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari, (Chorus)
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari,
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari, (Chorus)

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva (Chorus)
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva (Chorus)

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva...
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya (Chorus)
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya (Chorus)
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya (Chorus)
Baanjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya
Baanjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya (Chorus)
Soorya shaam sharan aye, safal kije seva.
Soorya shaam sharan aye, safal kije seva. (Chorus)

Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva...
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva...
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva... (Chorus)


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श्री गणेश जी की आरती
 
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा .
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ॥
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ॥
एक दंत दयावंत, चार भुजाधारी .
माथे पे सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी ॥
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ॥
अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया .
बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया ॥
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ॥
हार चढ़ै, फूल चढ़ै और चढ़ै मेवा .
लड्डुअन को भोग लगे, संत करे सेवा ॥
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ॥
दीनन की लाज राखो, शंभु सुतवारी .
कामना को पूर्ण करो, जग बलिहारी ॥
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ॥

देवों में सर्वप्रथम पूजने का विधान देवों के देव महादेव शिव के पुत्र गणेश जी का है. गणेश जी को विघ्न विनाशक और बुद्धिदाता कहा जाता है. हिन्दू धर्म में किसी भी शुभ कार्य को आरंभ करने से पहले भगवान श्री गणेश की पूजा की जाती है क्योंकि श्री गणेश बुद्धि से सफलता देने वाले और विघ्नों को दूर करने वाले माने जाते हैं. हाथी जैसा सिर होने के कारण उन्हें गजानन भी कहते हैं. गणेश जी के कई नाम हैं लेकिन हर नाम के साथ आस्था और भक्ति की अपनी ही कहानी है. गणपति आदिदेव हैं जिन्होंने हर युग में अलग-अलग अवतार लिया.

भगवान शिव और माता पार्वती के प्रिय पुत्र गणेश की महिमा भी अपरंपार है.
गणेश जी की भक्ति और पूजा करने से इंसान को सभी सुखों की प्राप्ति होती है. चतुर्थी के दिन गणेश पूजन का विशेष फल प्राप्त होता है. गणेश जी को मोदक बहुत ही प्रिय होते हैं. बुद्धवार का दिन श्री गणेश की उपासना के लिए श्रेष्ठ माना जाता है. पूरी श्रद्धा और भक्ति से गणेश जी की पूजा करने से सभी कार्य सफल होते हैं.

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गणपतीची आरती

सुखकर्ता दु:खहर्ता वार्ता  विघ्नाची
नुरवी  पुरवी  प्रेम  कृपा  जयाची |
सर्वांगी  सुंदर  उटि शेंदूराची |
कंठी शोभे  माळ मुक्ताफलांची  || ||

जय  देव जय  देव ||
जय  देव  जय  देव जय मंगलमूरति |
हो श्री मंगलमूरति |
दर्शनमात्रे मन:कामना  पुरती || धु ||

रत्नखचित  फरा  तुज  गौरीकुमरा |
चंदनाची  उटि  कुमकुम  केशरा |
हीरेजडित मुकुट  शोभतो  बरा |
रुण झुणती नूपुरे  चरणी घागरिया || ||

 जय  देव  जय  देव ||
जय  देव  जय  देव जय मंगलमूरति |
हो श्री मंगलमूरति |
दर्शनमात्रे मन:कामना  पुरती || धु ||


 लंबोदर  पीताम्बर  णि वर बंधना  |
 सरल  सोंड  वक्रतुंड  त्रिनयना |
 दास  रामाचा  वाट  पाहे  सदना |
 संकटी  पावावे , निर्वाणी  रक्षावे , सुर वरवंदना || ||
 जय  देव जय  देव ||
जय  देव  जय  देव जय मंगलमूरति |
हो श्री मंगलमूरति |

दर्शनमात्रे मन:कामना  पुरती || धु ||

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 Sukhkarta dukhharta varta vighnachi I
Nurvi purvi prem kripa jayachi I
Sarvangi sundar uti shendurachi I
Kanthi zalke mal mukta- phalachi II 1 II


Jaya dev jaya dev 
Jaya dev jaya dev jaya mangal murti I
Ho shri mangal murti
Darshanmatre mankamana purti I

Ratnakhachit fara tuj gaurikumra I
Chandanachi uti kumkumkeshara I
Hirejadit mugut Shobhato bara I
Runzunati nupure charni ghagaria II 2 II


Jaya dev jaya dev 
Jaya dev jaya dev jaya mangal murti I
Ho shri mangal murti
Darshanmatre mankamana purti I

 Lambodar Pitambar phadi varvandana I
Saral sond vakratunda trinayan I
Das ramacha vat pahe sadana I
Sankti pavave Nirvani Rakshave survarvandana II 3 II


Jaya dev jaya dev
Jaya dev jaya dev jaya mangal murti I
Ho shri mangal murti
Darshanmatre mankamana purti II 

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Shri Ganesh Mantra & Stuti


वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा

"Oh! Lord (Ganesha), of huge body and curved elephant trunk, whose brilliance is equal to billions of suns, always remove all obstacles from my endeavors."

गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजंबूफलचारुभक्षणम्‌
उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपङ्कजम्‌ ॥

"Salutations to Lord Ganesha who has an elephant head, who is attended by the band of his followers, who eats his favorite wood-apple and rose-apple fruits, who is the son of Goddess Uma, who is the cause of destruction of all sorrow. And I salute to his feet which are like lotus."

सुमुखश्चैकदंतश्च कपिलो गजकर्णकः
लम्बोदरश्च विकटो विघ्ननाशो गणाधिपः
धूम्रकेतुर्गणाध्यक्षो भालचन्द्रो गजाननः
द्वादशैतानि नामानि यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि
विद्यारंभे विवाहे च प्रवेशे निर्गमे तथा
संग्रामे संकटे चैव विघ्नस्तस्य न जायते
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12 namesof Lord Ganesha
Sumukha, Ekadanta, Kapila, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnanaasha, Ganaadhipa, Dhuumraketu, Ganaadhyaksha, Bhaalachandra, Gajaanana -
No obstacles will come in the way of one who reads or listens to these 12 names of Lord Ganesha at the beginning of education, at the time of marriage, while entering or exiting anything, during a battle or calamity.
शुक्लाम्बरधरं देवं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये
"In order to remove all obstacles, one should meditate on (the Lord Ganesha) as wearing a white garment, as having the complexion like the moon, and having four arms and a pleasant countenance."
मूषिकवाहन् मोदकहस्त चामरकर्ण विलम्बित सूत्र
वामनरूप महेश्वरपुत्र विघ्नविनायक पाद नमस्ते
"Oh God who has the mouse as his vehicle, and the sweet modhaka (rice ball) in your hand, whose ears are wide like fans, wearing the sacred thread. Oh son of Lord Shiva who is of short stature and who removes all obstacles, Lord Vinayaka, I bow at your feet."
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Bhajan From The Film Agneepath

Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa
Sidhi vinaayaka morayaa, Girijaa nandana morayaa,
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

Eka Danta jai morayaa, Gauri suta Jai morayaa
Jai Lambo dara morayaa, Agra deva Jai morayaa
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

Vighana vinaashaka morayaa, jai ghuumeshwara morayaa
Gajaananaa Jai morayaa, vidyaa vaaradee morayaa
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

Sukha karataa Jai morayaa, dukha harataa jai morayaa
Kripaa sindhu jai morayaa, Budhi vidhaata morayaa
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

Bhavaani nandana morayaa, Jai shiva nandana morayaa
Jai modhaka priya morayaa, Ashta vinaayaka morayaa
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa
Sidhi vinaayaka morayaa, Girijaa nandana morayaa,
Ganapati Bappa Morayaa, Mungal moorti morayaa

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108 Names of Lord Ganesha

* Name ------------------------------------------------ Meaning

* Akhuratha ................................. One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
* Alampata .................................. Ever Eternal Lord
* Amit .......................................... Incomparable Lord
* Anantachidrupamayam ............. Infinite and Consciousness Personified
* Avaneesh .................................. Lord of the whole World
* Avighna ..................................... Remover of Obstacles
* Balaganapati ............................. Beloved and Lovable Child
* Bhalchandra .............................. Moon-Crested Lord
* Bheema ..................................... Huge and Gigantic
* Bhupati ...................................... Lord of the Gods
* Bhuvanpati ................................ God of the Gods
* Buddhinath ............................... God of Wisdom
* Buddhipriya ............................... Knowledge Bestower
* Buddhividhata ........................... God of Knowledge
* Chaturbhuj ................................ One who has Four Arms
* Devadeva .................................. Lord of All Lords
* Devantakanashakarin ................ Destroyer of Evils and Asuras
* Devavrata .................................. One who accepts all Penances
* Devendrashika .......................... Protector of All Gods
* Dharmik .................................... One who gives Charity
* Dhoomravarna .......................... Smoke-Hued Lord
* Durja ........................................ Invincible Lord
* Dvaimatura ............................... One who has two Mothers
* Ekaakshara ............................... He of the Single Syllable
* Ekadanta .................................. Single-Tusked Lord
* Ekadrishta ................................ Single-Tusked Lord
* Eshanputra ............................... Lord Shiva's Son
* Gadadhara ................................ One who has The Mace as His Weapon
* Gajakarna ................................. One who has Eyes like an Elephant
* Gajanana ................................... Elephant-Faced Lord
* Gajananeti ................................. Elephant-Faced Lord
* Gajavakra .................................. Trunk of The Elephant
* Gajavaktra ................................. One who has Mouth like an Elephant
* Ganadhakshya .......................... Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
* Ganadhyakshina ....................... Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
* Ganapati ................................... Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
* Gaurisuta .................................. The Son of Gauri (Parvati)
* Gunina ...................................... One who is The Master of All Virtues
* Haridra ...................................... One who is Golden Coloured
* Heramba ................................... Mother's Beloved Son
* Kapila ........................................Yellowish-Brown Coloured
* Kaveesha .................................. Master of Poets
* Kirti ........................................... Lord of Music
* Kripalu ...................................... Merciful Lord
* Krishapingaksha ....................... Yellowish-Brown Eyed
* Kshamakaram ........................... The Place of Forgiveness
* Kshipra ..................................... One who is easy to Appease
* Lambakarna .............................. Large-Eared Lord
* Lambodara ................................ The Huge Bellied Lord
* Mahabala .................................. Enormously Strong Lord
* Mahaganapati ........................... Omnipotent and Supreme Lord
* Maheshwaram .......................... Lord of The Universe
* Mangalamurti ............................ All Auspicious Lord
* Manomay .................................. Winner of Hearts
* Mrityuanjaya ............................. Conqueror of Death
* Mundakarama ........................... Abode of Happiness
* Muktidaya ................................. Bestower of Eternal Bliss
* Musikvahana ............................. One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
* Nadapratithishta ........................ One who Appreciates and Loves Music
* Namasthetu .............................. Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and Sins
* Nandana .................................. Lord Shiva's Son
* Nideeshwaram .......................... Giver of Wealth and Treasures
* Omkara .................................... One who has the Form Of OM
* Pitambara ................................. One who has Yellow-Coloured Body
* Pramoda ................................... Lord of All Abodes
* Prathameshwara ....................... First Among All
* Purush ...................................... The Omnipotent Personality
* Rakta ........................................ One who has Red-Coloured Body
* Rudrapriya ................................ Beloved Of Lord Shiva
* Sarvadevatman ......................... Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
* Sarvasiddhanta ......................... Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
* Sarvatman .................................Protector of The Universe
* Shambhavi ................................The Son of Parvati
* Shashivarnam ........................... One who has a Moon like Complexion
* Shoorpakarna ........................... Large-Eared Lord
* Shuban ..................................... All Auspicious Lord
* Shubhagunakanan ................... One who is The Master of All Virtues
* Shweta ..................................... One who is as Pure as the White Colour
* Siddhidhata .............................. Bestower of Success and Accomplishments
* Siddhipriya ............................... Bestower of Wishes and Boons
* Siddhivinayaka ......................... Bestower of Success
* Skandapurvaja ......................... Elder Brother of Skand (Lord Kartik)
* Sumukha .................................. Auspicious Face
* Sureshwaram ........................... Lord of All Lords
* Swaroop ................................... Lover of Beauty
* Tarun ........................................ Ageless
* Uddanda .................................. Nemesis of Evils and Vices
* Umaputra ................................. The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati)
* Vakratunda ............................... Curved Trunk Lord
* Varaganapati ............................ Bestower of Boons
* Varaprada ................................ Granter of Wishes and Boons
* Varadavinayaka ........................ Bestower of Success
* Veeraganapati .......................... Heroic Lord
* Vidyavaridhi ..............................God of Wisdom
* Vighnahara .............................. Remover of Obstacles
* Vignaharta ............................... Demolisher of Obstacles
* Vighnaraja ............................... Lord of All Hindrances
* Vighnarajendra ........................ Lord of All Obstacles
* Vighnavinashanaya .................. Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments
* Vigneshwara ............................ Lord of All Obstacles
* Vikat ........................................ Huge and Gigantic
* Vinayaka .................................. Lord of All
* Vishwamukha ........................... Master of The Universe
* Vishwaraja ............................... King of The World
* Yagnakaya ............................... Acceptor of All Sacred and Sacrficial Offerings
* Yashaskaram ........................... Bestower of Fame and Fortune
* Yashvasin ................................ Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
* Yogadhipa ............................... The Lord of Meditation
 
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Reciting Ganesh Mantra for 108 times on this day also provides benefic results. 
The Mantra is :--

“Om Gam Ganpataye Namah”.


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Ganeshotsav Recipes
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(1)
Modak
Ingredients:
For the filling
•  2 Cup shredded fresh coconut
• 1/2 Cup mixture of unsalted pistachios and unsalted cashews
• 1/2 Pinch of cardamom powder
• 1/2 Cup milk
• 1 Cup jaggery or sugar
For the outer cover:
• 1 Cup rice flour
• 1 tsp Ghee
• 1 Cup water
• 1/2 tsp Salt
   
Preparation :
Filling:
•    Combine coconut, milk and jaggery or sugar, mix well.
•    Cook it over medium flame, stir continuously till they are mixed properly.
•    Add cashews and pistachios and cook for about one minute.
•    Now add cardamom powder.
•    Let it cool, keep aside.

Modak:

•    Bring water to a boil.
•    Now add flour, ghee and salt, stir quickly so as to remove all lumps.
•    Cover with a lid for some time and cook.
•    Remove the lid and keep stirring.
•    Now remove the pan from the heat and transfer all the mixture on a flat plate.
•    Knead it to make soft dough.
•    It should be neither too sticky nor too dry.
•    Grease the palms of your hands properly and make a ball from the dough.
•    Flatten the dough to make a cup shape.
•    Put 3/4 tsp coconut filling into this cup.
•    Dip thumb and index finger in the oil and make 5-6 small pinches on the outside edges of the cup.
•    Bring them together on top and join to shape a peak.
•    Put modak on a pre greased plate.
•    Make rest of the modaks.
•    Now Steam them for about 15 minutes and serve with ghee.

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(2)

Choco Coconut Modak

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• 3 cups Desiccated Coconut
• 1 cup Condensed Milk
• 8-10 Walnuts (finely chopped)
• Silver Warq as required (cut into half inch squares)
   
Preparation :


•    In a big bowl, take chocolate chips, desiccated coconut, condensed milk and walnuts and mix well.
•    Divide into little portions and press them in modak mould.
•    Wrap the modaks with silver warq and refrigerate till set.
•    Serve.

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(3)

Shrikhand

Ingredients:

• 1 kg Thick Curd
• 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
• A few strands Saffron
• 1 tbsp Warm Milk
• 2 tsp Cardamom Powder
• Pistachios and Almonds
   
Preparation :

•    Put the curd in a muslin cloth and hang it in a cool place for 2-3 hours.
•    Dissolve the saffron in warm milk.
•    Mix the saffron mixture, curd, sugar and cardamom powder in a bowl.
•    Churn the mixture using a hand blender.
•    Garnish with slivers of almonds and pistachios and serve.

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(4)

Pedha

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups milk powder
• 1 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
• Chopped pistachio nuts
   
Preparation :

•    Prepare sugar syrup of one thread consistency.
•    Add unsalted butter to the sugar syrup on medium flame
•    Stir till the butter melts.
•    Mix cardamom powder and milk powder to it.
•    Stir till it turns to cake like batter.
•    Keep it for cooling.
•    Make balls from this batter.
•    Adorn with chopped nuts.

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(5)

Shankarpali

Ingredients:

• 5 cup Wheat Flour
• 3 tbsp Rice flour
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1-1/4 cup Sugar
• Oil
• Pinch of Salt

Preparation :   

•    Mix together milk and water.
•    Beat unsalted butter and sugar till it turns fluffy.
•    Add flours and salt. Mix them well.
•    Knead it to soft dough with the help of milk-water mixture.
•    Divide the dough into three balls. Roll out thick chapattis.
•    Cut them into diamond shaped pieces.
•    Heat oil. Deep-fry the pieces till done.
•    Shankarpali is ready.

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(6)

Quick Nariyal Burfi

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cans Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 3 cups Sweetened Flaked Coconut
• 1 tbsp Ground Cardamom (Optional)
• 2/3 cup Sliced Almonds

Preparation :
   

•    Grease a 9x9 inch pan. Stir coconut and condensed milk in a large, microwave-safe bowl.
•    Cook the mixture in microwave over high for 7 min stirring it every 30 sec. when the coconut mixture is hot enough, stir in the almonds and cardamom and pour the mixture to the prepared pan and smooth its top with a spatula.
•    Cool it for an hour in refrigerator and then cut it into 1 inch squares with a greased knife.

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(7)

Almond Til Chikki

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup grated Gur (jaggery)
• 1/2 cup thinly-sliced Badam (almond)
• 1/4 cup Til (sesame seeds)
• 1½ tsp Ghee

Preparation :   

•    Take a tawa and heat it.
•    Put the sesame seeds and roast them till they turn brown. Keep them aside and allow them to cool.
•    Now put the sliced almonds in the tawa and roast them. Keep them separately.
•    Take a separate pan or kadhai and heat the ghee in it.
•    Add jaggery to the melted ghee and keep stirring till it melts and caramelizes.
•    Now remove the melted jaggery from the flame and immediately add the roasted almonds and sesame seeds.
•    Keep stirring so that the almond and sesame seeds properly get mixed with the jaggery.
•    Now take a thali(plate) and grease it with ½ teaspoon ghee.
•    Put the already prepared jaggery and til mixture on the thali and spread it evenly.
•    Allow the mixture to cool and then cut it into square shapes.
•    Store the yummy Almond Til Chikkis in an airtight jar.


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(8)

Bombay Halwa
Ingredients:

• 1 cup  Ghee
• 1/3 cup  Sago
• 1/3 cup  plain Flour
• 2/3 cup  Corn Flour
• 4 cups Sugar
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp Cardamom Powder
• 1 cup crushed assorted Nuts (cashews, pistachios, almonds, and peanuts)
• Foods colors (green, yellow, orange, or red)

Preparation :   

•    Soak sago in 2 cups water overnight.
•    Combine plain flour and corn flour. Soak overnight in 2 cups water.
•    Make a thick syrup from 1½ cups water and sugar, boiling and stirring on medium heat.
•    Add lemon juice and stir.
•    Combine sago with flour mixture and pour into a non-sticky pan on low heat.
•    Add 1 tsp ghee, alternating with 1 tsp syrup, to the flour mix, until both the ingredients remain half of their actual volume.
•    Add a pinch of color and cardamom powder, stirring constantly.
•    Add the remaining ghee and syrup in the same manner, stirring after each addition.
•    Add nuts and mix well.
•    Simmer until the mixture turns translucent and starts leaving the pan.
•    Butter a deep platter and pour the mixture in it and cool to room temperature.
•    After 1 hour, cut the halwa in squares.
•    This yummy delight is ready to be served.


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(9)

Karanji

Ingredients:

•    2 cups  Refined flour (maida)   
•    1/4 cup Semolina (rawa/suji)   
•    1/2 cup Milk    
•    Ghee - to fry
Stuffing :
   
•    1 cup Dry coconut (khopra),grated    
•    1 cup Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto)    
•    1/2 cup Semolina (rawa/suji)    
•    25 grams Sunflower seeds (charoli/chironji)    
•    25 grams Raisins    
•    1 1/2 cups Powdered sugar    
•    1/4 teaspoon Green cardamom powder    

Preparation :

Sieve maida, add rawa and knead into a semi-soft dough by adding milk and water. Once the dough is ready, cover it with a damp cloth and set aside. For stuffing, roast grated dry coconut in a thick-bottomed kadai until it gives a nice aroma. Similarly, roast the poppy seeds and rawa separately until they give out a nice aroma. Mix the roasted dry coconut, poppy seeds, rawa, charoli, chopped raisins and powdered sugar together and set aside. Divide dough into twenty small portions and shape into balls. Roll out each ball into a circle, put a small portion of the prepared filling in middle, fold over to make a semi circle and thinly flute the edges to seal it well. Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and deep fry the karanjis on medium heat in till they are crisp and a pleasant golden colour. Drain on absorbent paper and allow to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

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(10)   

Kadboli

Ingredients:

*    1 tbsp red chilli powder

*    2 tbsp sesame seeds

*    1/4 cup heated oil

*    Oil for deep frying

*    1/2 cup bajra

*    1 cup rice

*    1 cup jowar

*    1/2 cup urad dal

*    2 tbsp coriander seed

*    2 tbsp cummin seeds

*    Salt as per taste

Preparation :

*    Mix together all the roasted ingredients.

*    Grind into fine dry powder.

*    Add salt, chilli powder, sesame seeds and heated oil.

*    Knead into smooth dough by adding lukewarm water.

*    Cover with muslin cloth, and keep aside for an hour.

*    Make small balls. Roll the balls into pencil-shape.

*    Fold the ends of each roll in the center. Heat the oil for frying.

*    Deep fry on medium flame till golden brown. Drain and let it cool.

*    Store in air-tight container.

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Ganpati and the Hindu Mythology


Ganpati is the elephant-headed God. he is worshipped first in any prayers. his names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun. he is the God  of power and wisdom. he is the eldest son of   Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. he is the energy of Shiva and so he is called the son of Shankar and Umadevi.

The following story is narrated about his birth and how he came to have the head of an elephant

Once upon a time, the Goddess Gauri (Parvati wife of Shiva), while bathing, created Ganpati as a pure white being out of the mud of her Body and placed him at the entrance of the house. She told him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. God Shiva himself was returning home quite thirsty and was stopped by Ganpati at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganpati's head as he thought Ganpati was an outsider,when Gauri came to know of this she was sorely grieved.To console her grief, Shiva ordered his servants to cut off and bring to him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant's head was brought before Shiva. The God then joined the elephant's head onto the body of Ganpati.

This is how Ganpati lost one tusk in a fight. when Shiva, Ganpati's father, was sleeping, Parshuram came to visit him. Ganpati did not want his father's sleep to be disturbed. when Parshuram insisted, a fight between Ganpati and Parshuram broke out. Parshuram threw his axe, which had been given to him by Shiva, Ganpati at recognizing the axe and out of reverence for his father, Ganpati refused to intercept the weapon. he bowed and took its impact on one of his tusks, which broke.

Ganpati is very fond of sweet pudding or balls of rice flour with a sweet core. On one of his birthdays he was going around house to house accepting the offerings of sweet puddings. having eaten a good number of these, he set out moving on his mouse at night. suddenly the mouse stumbled it had seen a snake and became frightened with the result that Ganesha fell down. his stomach burst open and all the sweet puddings came out. but Ganpati stuffed them back into his stomach and, catching hold of the snake, tied it around his belly seeing all this, the moon in the sky had a hearty laugh. this unseemly behaviour of the moon annoyed him immensely and so he pulled out one of his tusks and hurled it against the moon, and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi day.

Ganpati and his brother God Subramanya once had a dispute as to who was the elder of the two. The matter was referred to God Shiva for final decision. Shiva decided that whoever would make a tour of the whole world and come back first to the starting point had the right to be the elder. Subramanya flew off at once on his vehicle, the peacock, to make a circuit of the world. But the wise Ganpati went, in loving worshipfulness, around His divine parents and asked for the prize of His victory.
God Shiva said, "Beloved and wise Ganpati ! But how can I give you the prize; you did not go around the world?"
Ganesha replied, "No, but I have gone around my parents. my parents represent the entire manifested universe!"
Thus the dispute was settled in favour of Ganpati, who was thereafter acknowledged as the elder of the two brothers, mother Parvati also gave him a fruit as a prize for this victory.

In his first lesson in the alphabet a Maharashtrian child is initiated into the Mantra of Ganpati, Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah. Only then is the alphabet taught.

The following are some of the common Names of God Ganesha: Dhoomraketu, Sumukha, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Ganadhyaksha, Phalachandra, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila and Vigneshwara. He is also known by many as Maha-Ganapathi.

He has as his vehicle a small mouse. He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides.

God Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava, which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus. Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project.

His two feet represent the power of knowledge and the power of action. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om.

The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism.

The holding of the ankusha represents his rulership of the world. It is the emblem of divine Royalty.

Ganesha is the first God. Riding on a mouse, one of nature's smallest creatures and having the head of an elephant, the biggest of all animals, denotes that Ganesha is the creator of all creatures. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that God Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. It also denotes the process of evolution the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganpati has a human body, an elephant's head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form.

In the Ganapathi Upanishad, Ganesha is identified with the Supreme Self. The legends that are connected with God Ganesha are recorded in the Ganesha Khanda of the Brahma Vivartha Purana.

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