Ganesha Chaturthi 3 September 2008

An annual festival honours Ganesha for ten days, starting on Ganesh Chaturthi, which typically falls in late August or early September. I'll be going to the temple on Wednesday, 3rd September for the prayer.

As adviced by my colleague, I'll be offering Ganesha sweets such as modaka and small sweet balls since He is often shown carrying a bowl of sweets, called a modakapātra and because of his identification with the color red, he is often worshipped with red sandalwood paste or red flowers.

In India, the festival culminates on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi, when images of Ganesha are immersed in the most convenient body of water. Devotees believe that if Ganesha is propitiated, he grants success, prosperity and protection against adversity.

Ganesha is a non-sectarian deity, and Hindus of all denominations invoke him at the beginning of prayers, important undertakings, and religious ceremonies. All these comes with the following prayer -

1) Om Shri Gaṇeshāya Namah (Om, salutation to the Illustrious Ganesha)
2) Om Gaṃ Ganapataye Namah (Om, Gaṃ, Salutation to the Lord of Hosts)

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