Ganesh Jayanti

2022-01-29T04:53:36Z

203.173.162.152:

{{short description|Hindu festival}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name = Ganesha Jayanti
|type = Hindu
|longtype = [[Hindu]]
|image =Ganesha Nurpur miniature circa 1810 Dubost p64.jpg
|caption = Ganesha
|nickname = Tilo Chauth, Sakat Chauthis, Tilkund chouth
|observedby = [[Hindu]]s
|date = Shukla paksha chaturthi in Magh month (fourth day of the bright half of moon’s cycle during January/February), decided by [[Hindu calendar]] (lunar calendar)
|date2021 = 15 February (Monday)
|frequency=annual
|celebrations =
|observances = Veneration of Ganesha
|relatedto = Birthday of Ganesha
}}

'''Ganesh Jayanti''' (literally "Ganesha's birthday", also known as '''Magha shukla chaturthi''', '''Tilkund chaturthi''', and '''Varad chaturthi''', is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu festival|festival]]. This occasion celebrates the birth day of [[Ganesha]], the lord of wisdom.<ref>{{Citation |last=Thapan |first=Anita Raina |title=Understanding Gaņapati: Insights into the Dynamics of a Cult |year=1997 |publisher=Manohar Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7304-195-4}} p.215</ref> It is a popular festival particularly in the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]] and it is also celebrated in [[Goa]] held during the shukla paksha [[chaturthi]] day (fourth day of the bright fortnight or the [[waxing moon]]) in the month of [[Maagha]] as per [[Hindu calendar|almanac]], which corresponds to the Gregorian calendar month of January/February. In 2022, Shri Ganesh Jayanti falls on 4th February.<ref>[https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-gods/ganesha/ganesha-jayanti/ganesha-jayanti-date-time.html Ganesha Jayanti]</ref>

The distinction between the Ganesh Jayanti and the more popular, almost pan-Indian [[Ganesh Chaturthi]] festival is that the latter festival is observed in the month of August/September ([[Bhadrapada]] Hindu month). According to one tradition, Ganesh Chaturthi is also considered as the birthday of Ganesha.<ref name=Wright>{{Cite book|last=Wright|first=Daniel|title=History of Nepal|work=Ganesh chauth|page=41|access-date=2009-11-26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiU50pM_z6MC&q=magh+ganesh&pg=PA41|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1993|isbn=81-206-0552-7 }}</ref><ref name=Sharma>{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Usha|title=Festivals in Indian Society (2 Vols. Set)|work=Ganesh Chathurthi|date=January 2008|pages=70–71|access-date=2009-11-26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6OYRUEAF7oC&q=magh+ganesa&pg=PA71|publisher= Mittal Publications|isbn=9788183241137}}</ref> This festival of Ganesha is also called as the Tilo Chauth or Sakat Chauthis in Uttar Pradesh, where Ganesha is invoked on behalf of the son of a family.<ref name=Sharma/> It is also called as Tilkund chaturthi in Maharashtra.

==Legend==
As per ancient customs, it is prohibited to sight the moon on Ganesha Jayanti as well as on Ganesh Chaturthi, wherein a prohibitive time period is set by the ancient almanacs. The person who sights the moon on this day, undergoes mental suffering of wrong accusations called, ''Mithya Dosha''. If by mistake, a person happens to see the moon, the following mantra is chanted:-

''Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah।''

''Sukumaraka Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah॥''<ref>[https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/religion/article/ganesh-chaturthi-2020-know-why-moon-sighting-is-prohibited-and-what-you-should-do-if-you-accidentally-see-it/641125 Know why moon sighting is prohibited and what you should do if you accidentally see it][https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/puja-path-ganesh-jayanti-2021-date-puja-muhurat-tithi-importance-and-significance-of-tilkund-chaturthi-21338552.html]</ref>

As a legend narrated by [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] to the [[Sanatkumara]] sages, God [[Krishna]] was charged with stealing a precious gem named ''Syamantaka'', as he saw the moon on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi - which was prohibited. He observed fast on Magha Shukla Chaturthi, or Ganesh Jayanti, as advised by Devrishi [[Narada]], and got rid of the accusation of stealing.

==Observances==
On the festival day, an image of Ganesha, in symbolic conical form is made out of [[turmeric]] or [[sindhoor]] powder or some times of [[cowdung]] and worshipped. It is later immersed in water on the fourth day after the festival. A special preparation made of [[Sesame|til]] ([[sesame]] seeds) is offered to Ganesha and then distributed to the devotees as [[prasad]] for eating. A fast is observed during worship during the day time followed by feasting in the night as a part of the rituals.<ref name=Sharma/>

In addition to fasting on this day, before observing the puja rites for Ganesha (also known as "Vinayaka"), devotees take bath with water mixed with til seeds, after smearing a paste made out of til (sesame) on their body. The fast observed on this day is stated to enhance the name and fame of the individual.<ref name=Dwivedi>{{Cite book|last=Dwivedi|first=Dr. Bhojraj|title=Religious Basis of Hindu Beliefs|work=Magh Chathurthi: Vinayak Chathurthi|pages=175–76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wmqKuHFWWgC&q=magh+chaturthi&pg=PA175|publisher= Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|year=2006|isbn= 81-288-1239-4}}</ref>

[[File:Bappa ji.jpg|thumb|Traditional setting of idols during the festival.]]

Even though Ganesha is considered a celibate god in [[Uttar Pradesh]] (in other places, he is considered as "married"), but on the occasion of the Ganesh Jayanti celebrations, couples worship him to beget a son.<ref name=Brown>{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Robert L|title= Ganesh: studies of an Asian god|work=The wives of Ganesha|pages=128–129|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oF-Hqih3pBAC&q=magh+ganesa&pg=PA128|publisher= SUNY Press|year=1991|isbn= 0-7914-0656-3 }}</ref>

[[File:Vishnu madhu kaitabh.jpg|thumb|[[Vishnu]] fighting [[Madhu-Kaitabh]]]]
On Ganesh Jayanti, devotees flock to the Moreshwar temple in [[Morgaon]], [[Pune district]], [[Maharashtra]] - in large numbers. The temple is starting and ending point of a pilgrimage of eight revered Ganesha temples called [[Ashtavinayaka]]. Legend has it that Ganesha killed demon Kamlasur at this place, riding a peacock (in [[Sanskrit]], a ''mayura'', in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] - ''mora'') and thus is known as Mayureshwar or Moreshwar ("Lord of the peacock").<ref name=Gunaji/> Another temple on the Ashtavinayak circuit is the Siddhivinayaka temple at [[Siddhatek]], [[Ahmednagar district]], Maharashtra. Large crowds visit the temple on the occasion of Ganesh Jayanti. This ancient temple located on the eastern bank of the [[Bhima River]] - has an idol of Ganesha, seated in a crossed leg posture flanked by his consort Siddhi. The Ganesha image is adorned with [[saffron]] paste and has its trunk turned to the right, which is considered a rare depiction. Thus, it is held in deep reverence and a strict set of religious vows are observed to please the deity. Devotees take a [[Parikrama|pradakhsina]] (circumambulation) of the hill seven times in the rough hilly terrain to seek favour of Ganesha. Legend states that god [[Vishnu]] invoked the blessings of Ganesha at this venue before killing the [[asura|demons]] [[Madhu-Kaitabh]] to put an end to their depredations.<ref name=Gunaji>{{Cite book|last=Gunaji|first=Milind|title=Offbeat tracks in Maharashtra|work=Siddhatek|pages=104–7|access-date=2009-11-26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JIjmDLardesC&q=Ganesh+jayanti&pg=PA105|publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2003|isbn=81-7154-669-2 }}</ref><ref name=Subramuniya>{{Cite book|author=Subramuniya|title=Loving Ganesa: Hinduism's Endearing Elephant-Faced God|work=Siddhatek Village temple to Shri Siddhi Vinayaka|pages=279–280|access-date=2009-11-26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_sV4_JpQvycC&q=Siddhatek&pg=PA279|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications|year=2000|isbn=0-945497-77-6 }}</ref>

On the [[Konkan Coast]], at [[Ganpatipule]], a beach temple houses a [[swayambhu]] (self-manifest) idol of Ganesha, which is much venerated and visited by thousands of devotees every year. The Ganesha deified in this temple is popularly known as the ''Paschim Dwardevta'' ("Western sentinel god of India"). Ganesh Jayanti is also celebrated at this Konkan coastal temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Beaches/Beaches.aspx?strpage=Ganapatipule_beaches.html|title=Beaches|access-date=2009-12-07}}</ref>

Shri Aniruddha House of Friends, Mumbai, India also celebrates Maaghi Ganesh Utsav (celebrations) every year on Ganesh Jayanti. Lord Ganesh is believed to activate and operationalize eight important centres in our body representing each Ashtavinayak (8 sanctums of Lord Ganesha) for which thousands of devotees across India participate in Maaghi Ganesh Utsav and take blessings of Shree Brahmanaspati (Lord Ganesh’s name as mentioned in Rigveda) and Shree Ashtavinayak
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aniruddhabapu-maghiganeshotsav.webs.com/|title=Maghi Ganpati Janmotsav|website=Maghi Ganpati Janmotsav}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aniruddhafoundation.com/compassion-maghi-ganapati-janmostav/|title=Maghi Ganpati Janmotsav|website=SHREE ANIRUDDHA UPASANA FOUNDATION|date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

[[File: Maaghi Ganesh Utsav.jpg|thumb|Maaghi Ganesh Utsav held by Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation, Mumbai]]

[[File: Maaghi Ganesh Utsav2.jpg|thumb|Maaghi Ganesh Utsav, Mumbai]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Ganesha}}
{{HinduFestivals}}

[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:January observances]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Ganesha]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]

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Ganesh Jayanti