Ganesh Chaturti - Birthday of Lord Ganeshji
1st September 2011, is celebrated all over world as the birthday of Lord Ganeshji! It is on the 4th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada
Today is the start of a 10 day period of worshipping Lord Ganeshji!
On this occasion we have also decorated our small Ganeshji in Jaipur Ashram, which you can see in the photos.
Today a special Ganesh puja is performed and laddu (round sweets of various ingredients but mainly sugar and flour) are distributed to everyone, as it is believed that laddu is a favorite dish of Ganeshji.
In some temples 54 various dishes are prepared and served to Ganeshji!
One of the famous Ganeshji mantras:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सुर्यकोटि समप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru May Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada
Translation: O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body, and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns,
(Please) Make All my Works Free of Obstacles, Always.
Today, our beloved Gurudev, Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranandji was on the occasion of birth of Lord Ganeshji, remover of obstacles, invited to open Ganesh Chaturti festival in Shree Math Mandir, Reengus. (27 km from our Sri Devpuriji Ashram, village Kailash, Rajasthan).
After the ceremonial opening of the festival, Swamiji did the puja to Ganeshji after which there was a satsang with many holy saints of Sikar area.
Swamiji spoke about importance of the Culture and keeping the old, vedic tradition in India. Today's westernisation of India which is now also visible in the villages brings unhappiness and loss of cultural values.
More about Sri Ganeshji:
Please listen to this 2003 Audio Guruvakya of H.H. Swamiji on Lord Ganeshji.
Another 2003 Guruvakya of H.H. Swamiji on Lord Ganeshji from Ramayana.
On Hinduism.about.com http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/ganeshchaturthi.htm
Wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturti
Please see as well these Youtube-Videos:
- Welcome Sri Ganesh Ji
- Lord Ganesha Should Be First
- Invite Lord Ganesha
- Padharo Mere Ganapati Deva - Bhajan Translation
