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Essence of Ganesh Chaturthi

Source shutterstock.com l Essence of Ganesh Chaturthi

Also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha in the month of August/September, marked with the installation of his idol in a private residence or publicly for community worship in elaborate settings. Considered, perhaps, one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the country besides Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi is reveled in for 10 days at the least, during which Lord Ganesh is revered by all his devotees.

To mark the festivities, an Idol of Bappa, as he’s fondly called is brought home, especially in nearly every Maharashtrian household and then placed on a raised platform or throne to be revered. He’s adorned with new clothing, fed pure water with honey & milk and a puja is performed twice a day during his stay. People invite their friends and family to join them during the celebrations during the 2, 5, 7 or 10 days his idol is home. On the last day, a farewell’s conducted and then his idol is immersed in a water body.

During the puja, people offer flowers, strands of young grass, karanji and modaks (coconut flakes & jaggery wrapped in rice-flour dumplings) and sing hymns in the Lord’s honor. While under community celebrations, with generous donations collected from different associations, local communities, et all, singing, orchestra, theater performances and/or social & health activities are organized during the 10 day festivities.

Organise the Puja According to Vastu

Source shutterstock.com l Organise the Puja According to Vastu

To get the best out of the 10 days of festivities it is best to follow some simple tips, should you wish to as per Vastu parameters, first by creating a clutter-free space in the northeast section of your home, which is known as the Ishaan corner and considered one of the best places to set up your altars. Alternatively, you can explore the east or west directions as well.

All deities should ideally be set on a raised platform, primarily on wooden planks covered with a clean white fabric, adorned with fresh flowers and surrounded with items like kumkum, turmeric & sandalwood paste, kalash with rice or ganga jal, rangolis, and other puja accessories.

When you follow these steps, it makes way for enhanced positive vibrations, inviting prosperity and happiness in your family. Lord Ganesha’s idol should be placed with its back facing the outside wall of your house, as that denotes poverty, while you and your family should be facing the north or east directions when worshipping him. It is best to avoid placing his idol under a staircase, near a bathroom or facing a toilet or in a bedroom and also avoid placing multiple idols, as it may invite unnecessary negativity. The idol is best made of turmeric, mango, neem or peepal trees/silver & crystal and should have the mouse, Lord Ganesha rides on, accompanied with the Modaks he relishes. If you keep a white Ganesha figurine, you tend to invoke abundance in health, wealth and prosperity. Further, a sitting Ganesha with his trunk either straight or curving towards the left or up in the air is a mark of good luck.

Ways to Brighten Your Home for the Festival

Source shutterstock.com l Ways to Brighten Your Home for the Festival

Any celebration is magnified with colors, lights and sweet fragrances accompanying the festivities. Some of the best and yet simple ways of brightening your space during Ganesh Chaturthi would brighten your home by brightening your walls/ the area you’re planning to set your Ganesha Idol with a glitter paint finish to make it more glamorous. You can add subtle highlights in analog colors that hint at intricate & ornate detailing or in contrasting shades that capture attention immediately. For instance, when setting up the altar, look for ways in which you can place the puja accessories or décor items by pairing gold highlights with something in red, or contrasting colors like gold and white. Playing around with gold, silver in their varied shades can help elevate the festive visual appeal.

Take the celebrations a notch up with a pop of color by experimenting with light products ranging from spotlights to fairy lights around the house with careful color considerations. It is best to test the lighting during different intervals of time to match the changing mood or tone. While dull and muted lights make for a cozy and warm ambiance, placing lit diyas along with electrical lighting will make for an auspicious and divine auric appeal. Further, choose an eco-friendly Ganesha Idol painted with aqua-safe paints that are bio-degradable and environment friendly, decorating your space with recycled items, natural materials and real plants. Welcome your guests with fragrant flower décor that include rose petals, hibiscus, and marigold flowers.

10 Gifts Ideas for Ganesh Chaturthi to Buy Online

Eco Friendly Ganpati

Source mypoojabox.in l Eco Friendly Ganpati

This eco friendly idol has been made using 100% organic clay and contains plant seeds within. At the end of the 10-day festival, the idols undergoes a symbolic immersion. Instead of being immersed in a water body, the idol is placed in an accompanying pot and watered until it dissolves. Thanks to the seeds are sown in the pot, the idol grows back as a plant.

Buy the 6 inch Eco-Friendly Ganpati for Ganesh Chaturthi for ₹699 on mypoojabox.in.

Shadow Ganesha Metal T-Lite Candle Holder

Source amazon.in l Shadow Ganesha Metal T-Lite Candle Holder

Measuring 8 x 10 x 6 cm and weighing 32gms approx. in weight, this exquisite T-Light Shadow Ganesha Candle Holder is crafted with a metal sheet and hand painted in light golden color. When lit, the candle’s light emits an elegant and divine glow in the background. Ideal as a gift for spreading light in the lives of your loved ones, you can gift one or make it into a set of 4 holders as a gift set. Each Shadow Ganesha Metal T-Light Candle Holder’s priced at Rs.130 and available at amazon.in.

Sweet & Crunchy Gift Hamper

Source fnp.com l Sweet & Crunchy Gift Hamper

Lord Ganesha loves sweets and among his favorites is saffron colored Motichoor Ladoos as well. The sweet and crunchy gift hamper from ferns and petals includes 1kg motichoor ladoos with dry fruits (almonds & cashews weighing 250gms each). While the ladoos are carefully packaged in a paper box and are best refrigerated as soon as they are received, the dry fruits come packaged in a clear plastic bag, adorned with a colorful ribbon and are best stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, in an air-tight container on receipt. The Sweet & Crunchy Gift Hamper is priced at Rs.2,199.

Exquisite Marble Puja Thali with Ganesha Idol

Source igp.com l Exquisite Marble Puja Thali with Ganesha Idol

Measuring 6.4 in X 4.8 in X 7.4 in (l x b x h), weighing 650 gms, and available at igp.com, this beautiful and ornamental Ganesh Idol is made of resin with intricate kundan and meenkari work, making for a charming and gorgeous gift item, while the exquisite marble puja thali is a beautiful addition for all the celebratory rituals that need to be followed during the festivities.

Source igp.com l Marble puja thali

It comes with this thali measuring 9 in x 9 in x 1 in (l x b x h). The marble thali has been designed in gorgeous colors of red, white and gold with a Ganpati Idol, a small vessel and kumkum-haldi holder, encrusted with decorative stones as well. The Exquisite Marble Thali and the Resin Ganesha Idol come priced at Rs.3,130 in a combined package.

Handcrafted Ganesha Showpiece with Instruments

Source amazon.in l Handcrafted Ganesha Showpiece with Instruments

Made of Resin, Kaarigari’s handcrafted Ganesha showpiece comes in a package set of 4 Ganesha figurines, each measuring 15cm in height, 6cm in breadth, 6cm in length, molded in a different dance postures and with varying musical instruments on a raised base. Each of the figures have been crafted adoringly in beautiful color blends of orange, gold, blue, and silver with cute expressions and postures defining each figurine and the set is best cleaned with a dry/wet cloth for regular clean-ups. This beautiful resin show piece of 4 dancing and playing musical instruments Ganeshas comes priced at Rs.1,699 and is available at amazon.in.

Brown Polystone Great Lord Ganesha 7-Steps Water Fountain

Source pepperfry com l Brown Polystone Great Lord Ganesha 7-Steps Water Fountain

A premium quality luxury water fountain by the Exclusive Deco, this 7-steps indoor water fountain is an example of artistic and attractive design that’s perfect for any interior space, not to forget a source of secondary ambient lighting and a natural humidifier as well. Ideal for placing in the northeast corner of a house, the Lord Ganesha Water Fountain is made of Brown polystone resin, measuring Length: 7.1, Width: 8.3, Height: 10.6 Inches and weighing 0.8kg. It comes packaged with a water tub, a Ganesha idol, user manual, LED light and a water pump of premium quality and is easily cleanable. Priced at Rs.3,509, the Brown Polystone Great Lord Ganesha 7-Steps Water Fountain is available at pepperfry.com.

Brass Murti Lord Ganesh Ganesha Wall Hanging with Bell On Trunk

Source amazon.in l Brass Murti Lord Ganesh Ganesha Wall Hanging with Bell On Trunk

A wall hanging bell with a multipurpose decorative embellishment ideal for contemporary, yet traditionally elegant, the Brass Bell hanging from Lord Ganesha’s Trunk has been designed intelligently. Made of brass, the bell weight 1.4kg and measures 10” in height, 5” in width and is 4” deep. It can be wiped clean with a dry and soft cloth. The 7. Brass Murti Lord Ganesh Ganesha Wall Hanging with Bell On Trunk has been styled with intricate detailing that reflects well on the Idol’s head, facial expressions and even on the bell, a perfect add to any home temple as well. The Brass Lord Ganesha Bell is priced at Rs.1,499 and available on amazon.in.

Yellow Gold Plated Ganesha Navratan Pendant

Source voylla.com l Yellow Gold Plated Ganesha Navratan Pendant

The Navratan Ganesha Pendant by Voylla Fashion Jewelry comes crafted with colorful stones in a yellow gold plating and is perfect for gifting purposes. It goes well with both formal as well as casual wear. The package comes with a 1 pendant and 1 chain with an embellished finish and geometric design in brass material with a classic theme. The pendant in Gold plating is yellow in color with a variety of stones in emerald green, fiery orange, grey, indigo blue, ruby red, clear and red colors in a beautiful and intricate design. Measuring 0.75” in width and 3.81” in length, the Yellow Gold Plated Ganesha Navratan Pendant is available at voyall.com for Rs.449.

Lord Ganesha Rectangular Synthetic Wood Art Painting

Source amazon.in l Lord Ganesha Rectangular Synthetic Wood Art Painting

Made of synthetic wood and multicolored, Lord Ganesha’s Rectangular Art Painting comes in a package of 3 paintings measuring 35 cm x 28 cm x 3 cm in black frames with a width of 1.5cm each and are perfect for enhancing the décor of any space. These paintings come with wall mounting hooks that can be displayed vertically in a setting of your choice. The three paintings include two floral patterns, while the core art print is that of a vibrant and dancing Ganpati Idol handpainted in beautiful colors. Lord Ganesha Rectangular Synthetic Wood Art Painting is priced at Rs.399 and available on amazon.in.

Rudrapriya Ganesha Idol

Source shoppersstop.com l Rudrapriya Ganesha Idol

Made of Resin and crafted in Gold Plating, the Rudrapriya Ganesha Idol has been made in an elegant finish with a 3-5 year tarnish resistant feature. Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva’s son is present in every feature of Mother Nature and his Rudrapriya form is said to symbolize inner strength to withstand all kinds of adversities and the courage to embark on new journeys in life. Weighing 998gm, the gold plated idol of Rudrapriya Lord Ganesha is shaped like a tiny cave with a rudraksh below Lord Ganesha’s trunk and is a cute mark of respect for the Lord, apt for gifting purposes. The Rudrapriya Ganesha Idol is available at shoppers stop for Rs.1,095.

Bonus Tip: Eco-Friendly ways of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi

Source shutterstock.com l Eco-Friendly ways of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi

During Ganesh Chaturthi, everyone likes to decorate their homes and Ganesh Idols beautifully and celebrate with great zeal. However, come the final day of the festivities, and all the idols are taken for immersion in the closest water bodies, which is quite a deterrent to the environment, given the volume of chemicals used in the making of these idols, leading to water pollution. The use of toxic materials as well as other décor items increases the amount of non-biodegradable waste, which leads to the death of plant and animal life in the water bodies. Here are some tips for celebrating the festival with merriment and yet be cautious to avoid spreading toxic pollution to our environment.

  • ECO-FRIENDLY IDOLS: Avoid idols made of plaster of paris, clay, plastic or polystyrene and opt for natural and biodegradable materials like unbaked clay, coconut and natural colors that do not pollute the water bodies or surrounding environment after immersion.

  • LIMITED NUMBER AND SIZE OF IDOLS: Big Idols not only take up much space but also consume a lot of materials adding to more waste. It is best to limit the size of the Idols to 5ft at the maximum and to avoid indulging in multiple idols, which leads to difficulty in immersion, traffic congestion and difficulty in transportation as well.

  • ENERGY SAVING: During the festivities, it is best to use the décor light only during the puja or aarti in the evenings and replace traditional lighting with incandescent bulbs featuring CFL. These energy efficient options save energy and you can also explore wrapping bulbs in colored papers, than investing on expensive lighting options.

  • BAN PLASTICS: All the offerings, food items or fruits that are carried to the pandals are often strewn around and thrown as garbage, polluting the environment. BAN the use of plastics completely and opt for and encourage the use of cloth bags, which are not only comfortable in carrying, but are also bio-degradable and can be reused as well. Use natural serving vessels like banana leave instead of plastic plates for offerings, or distributing Prasad.

  • ARTIFICIAL IMMERSION TANKS: The water that’s so callously used for Idol immersion can be used for irrigation or drinking purposes later and may leads to health hazards. It is best to use artificial tanks for immersion as compared to natural water bodies.

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