Today, 01 September 2011 mark the beginning of a week long festival in India, celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha- son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Pravathi. Astrologically speaking, Ganesh Chatruthi is celebrated on 4th phase of the waxing Moon during the Vedic month of Avani. What is so special about this festival. Perhaps, it is the enormous power of Lord Ganesha, destroyer of all evils, obstacles and also as per Hindu Vedic system, the lord to be prayed first make it the most celebrated festival of India. Particularly, in the State of Maharasthra ( in mumbai), one can see celebration at its best. Maharasthra is the land of famous Astak-
Vinayaka i.e., 8 prominent Lord Ganesha temples.
1. Ballaleshwar in Pali.
2. Chintamani in Theur.
3. Girijatmaj in lenyadri.
4. Mahaganapati in Ranjangoan.
5. Moreshwar in Morgaon.
6. Siddhivinayak in Siddhtek.
7. Varad Vinayak in Mahad.
8. Vighneshwar in Ozhar.
Historically speaking, the credit of making this festival a mass based, largely organized people event goes to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a great son of India and a freedom fighter who had organised this festival first time in 1893 with an aim to unite people divided on caste line in the country.
How people celebrate this festival:
Generally, devotees bring in their houses the clay- made beautifully carved, bright colored idols of Lord Ganesha on the First day and offer prayers in the morning and evening for all the 10 to 12 days by offering special dishes, sweets and Modak ( a kind of Laddu) and on the day of
Ananth Chaturdashi which marks the end of the celebration, Lord Ganesha idols are immersed in river/sea chanting vedic mantras and with a request to forgive us for sins/ mistakes committed while offering prayers and with a promise to bring Lord Ganesha in home in the next year as well.
Economically speaking, this festival generate lot of employment specially for skilled artisans who make idols and pandal and decoration related works, flowers and sweet shops and purchase of new household items an cars, starting new business etc.,
Impact on environment: The most serious impact of the Ganesha festival on the natural environment is due to the immersion of Idols made of Plaster of Paris into lakes, rivers and the sea. Due to commercialisation of festival and demand for unique design and bigger idols of Lord Ganesha, more artificial colors and dyes are being used which has both biotic and abiotic adverse impact on sea/ river biosphere. Of late, due to Govt. efforts and work of green organizations in the country,people have become more cautious and environment friendly while making idols of Lord Ganesha.
Commercialisation of religion and spirituality taking a back-seat- Final words: It may be observed that there emerge a great divide in so far as celebration of festivals in the country is concerned, Old generation feel that the kind of spirituality associated earlier while celebrating festivals is largely missing nowadays. For young generation celebrating festival means time to go out and enjoy with friends, eating different stuffs and in this process spirituality is somehow taking a back-seat.
Nevertheless, the other covert purposes of festival like socialization,secularization and nationalism are fulfilled.
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