Ganesh Chaturthi is an occasion on which Lord Ganesha or Lord Vinayaka graces the earth for the well being of all  devotees. This festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, commencing on the Shukla Chaturthi. It is celebrated lavishly by Hindus all over the world.

According to Hindu mythology once Lord Shiva left his usual abode on Mount Kailas  to meditate. Two sakhis of Goddess Parvati Devi suggested that she should have a ‘Gana’( attendant) of her own since they were not  happy with Lord Shiva’s ‘Ganas’. Goddess Parvati Devi agreed. She gave life to a son made out of the sandalwood paste by using her divine powers . She instructed him to guard their home.

 She went to have her bath after letting the boy stand guard at the door. Lord Shiva happened to come there back from his meditation while Parvati Devi was having her bath. The boy didn’t  allow him to enter the house since he didn’t recognize Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva got angry and beheaded the boy with his ‘Trishulam’( weapon).

 Parvati Devi  was distressed when she heard about the incident and lamented intensely.  Lord Shiva realized his mistake and  sent his Ganas to the forest to fetch the head of any first living being that was sleeping keeping its head  in north direction.The Ganas saw an elephant and returned with its head.  Lord Shiva placed the head over the boy’s body and gave life to the boy with his divine powers. He earned the name of Gajaanan. ‘Gaja’ means elephant. Aanan means face. Lord Shiva blessed him with a boon that people would first worship him before worshipping any other deity and made him  ’Ganadhyaksha’.It means the ruler of Ganas. .

Ganesha Pancharatnam Stotram:

Lyrics: Adi Shankaracharya

Mudakaraatha Modakam Sada Vimukti Saadhakam
Kalaadharaavatamsakam Vilasiloka Rakshakam
Anaaya Kaika Naayakam Vinasitebha Daityakam
Nataasubhasu Naashakam Namaami Tham Vinaayakam

 Natetaraati Bheekaram Navoditaarka Bhaasvaram
Namat Suraari Nirjanam Nataadhi Kaapa Duddharam
Suresvaram Nidheesvaram Gajesvaram Ganeshvaram
Mahesvaram Samaasraye Paraatparam Nirantaram

Samasta Loka Samkaram Nirasta Daitya Kunjaram
Daredarodaram Varam Vare Bhavaktra Maksharam
Krupaakaram Kshamaakaram Mudaakaram Yasaskaram
Manaskaram Namaskrutaam Namaskaromi Bhaasvaram.

Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam
Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam
Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam
Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam. 

Nitaantikaanta Dantakaanti Mantakaanta Kaatmajam
Achintya Rupa Mantaheena Mantaraaya Krintanam
Hrudantarey Nirantaram Vasantameva Yoginam
Tameka Danta Meva Tam Vichintayaami Santatam.

Listen to the powerful Ganesha Pancharathna beautifully rendered by Bharat Rathna MS. Subbu Lakshmi.

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