"Aum Sri Mahaganapathaye Namaha"
This Year "Lorrd Ganesh Chathurthi Puja on 23 Aug 2009
Why Lord Ganesha is depicted in the form of Symbol AUM ?
Before the creation of the present Universe there was a great deluge, pralaya. It had destroyed the Universe as it existed then. According to Hinduism, creation has no beginning or end – the endless cycle continues. After a great deluge there is Shanti or peace. This peace is broken the sound AUM – the sound which emanates from the Supreme Soul.
The Ganapatya Cult, or the followers of Ganesha, believes that AUM or Pranava Mantra the symbol of Brahman is embodied in the form of Ganesha. It is believed that Ganesh is the first word or the first cause.
This is the reason why occasionally Ganesha is depicted in the form of symbol ‘AUM.’
Each deity in Hinduism has its own favourite flowers and leaves and they are used by Hindus during worship and while performing pukes on festivals. All festivals and rituals in Hindu religion begin with Ganesh Pooja. Red coloured flowers are the favourite of Lord Ganesha.Flowers and leaves used for Ganesh Puja.
Here is a list of flowers and leaves that are offered while praying to Lord Ganesha:
Red Flowers:
Any usual red colour flower used in Hindu rituals.
Durva Grass is an important offering to Ganesh. Especially in South India, you will find vendors selling garlands of Durva outside Ganesh Temples. It is known as arugam pul in Tamil, Dhub, Durva and Haritali in Hindi (North India). Bermuda or Bahama Grass is the English name.
Another important flower offered is the Milkweed flower. It is known as Arka in Hindi and Eruku or Erukkum Poo in South India. Jilledi is the name used in Eastern India.
How to perform Ganesh Chathurthi puja at home............................
Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colourful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present.
Requirements for Ganesh Puja:-
• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.
• Red flowers
• Druva Grass blades
• Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
• Coconut
• Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
• Incense and agarbathis
• First clean the house and take a bath.
• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.
• Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated
to Lord Ganesha.
• Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.
"ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam |
jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam || (Rig Veda 2.23.1)"
"ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha || (Rig Veda 10.112.9)"
We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are Brahmana-spati of the brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound in treasure beyond all measure, the most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come with Your blessings and assurances of protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig Veda 2.23.1)
Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages. Without You nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our great and variegated hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)
•Now Ganesha is installed in the idol and one can perform arati and light the lamps and perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests.)
• Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
• Offer 21 modakas
• Offer red flowers
• Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
• Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also
keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).
• You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or
read the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.
The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.
While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need be careful is to perform the pujas clean body and clean mind.
Pomegranate leaves and flowers are also offered in many places.
Another important flower and leaf offered is the Sanku Pushpam or Conch flower.
Leaves and flowers of Screw Pine are also offered. It is known as Ketaki or Kedgi in Hindi and Kaita in South India.
There are also other local flowers and leaves that are used like the Naga leaves.
Tulsi leaves and flowers are not generally used in Ganesh Puja. But it is used during Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Puja.
Its also extremely good to chant the Ganapathi Seersha Upanishad verses during Ganesh Chathurthi puja and reproduced below for the benefit of the beloved readers......................
[Ganapathi Atharva Seersha is a part of Atharvana Veda. It is classified as an Upanishad and not as a chant. But this is considered universally as the greatest and most effective prayer addressed to Lord Sri. Ganesha.
This is also called Gana Upanishad or Ganapthi Seersha Upanishad,]
OM Namasthe Ganapathaye Thwameva prathyaksham thathwamasi
Thwameva kevalam karthasi.
Thwameva kevalam Dharthasi
Thwameva Kevalam Harthasi
Thwameva sarvam khalvidam brahmasi,
Thwam sakshath athmasi nithyam
Hritham Vachmi. Sathyam Vachmi
Sathyam Vachmi. . Ava vaktharam.
Ava srotharam. Ava datharam.
Ava dhatharam, Ava noochana mava sishyam.
Ava paschathath Ava purasthath
Ava utharotharath . Ava dakshinathath.
Ava chordhwathath. Ava adharathath.
SArvatho maam pahi, pahi samanthath.
Sarva Jagad idham thwatho jaayathe.
Sarva Jagad idham thwatha sthishtathi.
Sarva Jagad idham thwayee laya meshyathi.
Sarva jagad idham thwayee prathyethi,
Thwam bhoomir aapo analo anilo nabha.
Thwam chathwari vak padhani
Thwam gunathrayatheetha,
Thwam avastha thrayatheetha,
Thwam deha thrayatheetha,
Thwam kala thrayatheetha,
Thwam moola dhara sthitho aasi nithyam,
Thwam shakthi thrayathmaka,
Thwam yogino dhyayathi nithyam,
Thwam brahma thwam vishnu
thwam, Rudhra thwam, indra
thwam, agnis- thwam, Vayu
thwam soorya thwam chandrama
thwam, Brahma bhoorbhuva swarom
Aum Aum Aum
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