What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most awaited
festivals of the year in India. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha who is
worshipped before beginning of every event, ritual or venture. This festival
falls in the month of Bhadrapada as per Hindu calendar. Ganesotsav is a ten-day
long celebration starting from Ganesh Chaturthi. Devotees bring Ganesha idols
at home and establish the murti in a decorated space in the home itself.
Praan-Pratishtha is performed to invoke the presence of Lord Ganesha in the
idol. People gather together to perform Puja and Aarti with great fervor to
please Lord Ganesha. The environment is lively because of the excitement and
festivities. Streets are lit up with various fancy lights and each area in
every city has a Pandaal/Mandal that establishes a Ganesha idol.
Lord Ganesha is known to bestow blessings of
knowledge, intellect, wisdom and success in all endeavors. There are other
names of Ganesha like Buddhidata, Siddhidata which actually means the one who
imparts knowledge and helps attain Siddhi. Ganesh Chaturthi in particular holds
great importance for individuals in the Education sector and students. This is
the perfect day to worship Lord Ganesha for wish fulfillment, concentration and
excellent memory.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi for
Education
The significance of
Ganesh Chaturthi in Education sector is widely known. Lord
Ganesha brings the blessings of knowledge to His devotees. One can only go
ahead in life through education. It is the ultimate path to reach greater
heights of success and lead a prosperous life. Lord Ganesha enhances the power
to focus and concentrate while studying. He is called ‘Vighnaharta’ the one who
removes obstacles. Devotees often worship Ganpati for removal of hurdles from
their way of success. The important of all is that He gives the ability to attain
Siddhi i.e. spiritual enlightenment. Ganpati is also known as ‘Vinayaka’ which
means the one who has solution for everything. Praying to Lord Ganesha on this
special day brings His divine grace and blesses the devotees with the capacity
to grasp knowledge.
Knowledge and Wisdom is the most important
assets that one must have. To be knowledgeable is to have the power to mold the
world; people and one-self while being wise helps you accomplish your goals.
Performing the puja rituals on Ganesh Chaturthi and invoking Lord Ganesha with
sincerity brings blessings of knowledge and promotes education. It is
beneficial for getting brilliant results and academic success. A person’s life
is never complete without knowledge and to be capable of learning, devotees from
the education sector worship Ganesha on the auspicious event of Ganesh
Chaturthi.
How Lord Ganesha is connected with
Knowledge?
In Indian mythology, there are different
stories associated with Deities. There is a tale about how Lord Ganesha is
related with knowledge and wisdom. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave the
fruit of knowledge to Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha. Unfortunately, only one
of them could get it so they decided to test who deserves this fruit. Lord
Shiva asked Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya to do circumambulation of the Earth
thrice. The one who completed navigating around the world thrice and came back
first would win the fruit.
Lord Kartikeya
circumambulated thrice around the world and returned home. He saw Lord Ganesha
was already there near their parents and had won the fruit of knowledge. On
asking how, Ganesha told that He circumambulated around Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvati as they were His ‘world’. This act of Lord Ganesha appeased them and He
received the blessings of knowledge. He was then called the “God of Knowledge”.
This story also highlights how our parents should be respected and their
position at the apex in our lives.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in
Education sector
Many schools and colleges especially in Maharashtra
also bring Ganesha idols
for a day and half. Teachers, students and the entire staff dress up in
traditional attire to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Various competitions
like Clay idol making, singing, dancing, painting, etc. are held in the school
premises. Delicious Naivedyam is offered to Ganesha and some institutions also
host grand feasts. It is the most joyful time of the year for Ganesha devotees
across the world. Celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi with love, devotion and
happiness.