Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 7, 2024
Hundreds of millions of Hindus will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi all over the world today (Saturday, September 7, 2024), marking the Birthday of their most important God, worshipped as the Remover of All Obstacles.
New Zealand was the first country to wake up to the most important Birthday of the year and the news of celebrations has been pouring in from various parts of the country. While all Hindu Temples celebrated the Birthday of Lord Ganesha, known in Tamil Nadu as Pillayarappa, places of worship dedicated to the Lord have also held early morning special prayers and related festivities.
Sri Ganesh Temple Papakura
The Sri Ganesh Temple, incorporating the ‘Karpaga Vinayagar’ statue in Auckland’s Papakura was one such. Hundreds of devotees gathered at the Temple at 4.30 am to participate in the Asta Dravya Sahitha Moola Mantra Homam, Vigneswara Pooja, Puniyaha Vachanam
Dravya Abhishekam and Arathi.
After Breakfast comprising Special Prasadam, Mid-Morning Poojas were held, including 108 Sankha Pooja, Uchikala Pooja and Maha Deeparathanai.
The Evening Programme, which began at 5.30 pm, will witness 108 Kalasabishekam and Atharvashirsha Homam. Thereafter, the Grand Procession (Tiruveethi Ula) of Lord Ganesha will be held.
Papakura Sri Ganesha Temple Secretary Geetha Baradan said that the Ganesh Chaturthi will be followed by ten days of special festivities from September 8 to 17, 2024.
“These will include daily Poojas, Abhishekams, Homam and distribution of Prasadam to all devotees. Devotees may register for Sponsorship of 108 Kalasabishekam($101) and Special Poojas such as Morning Homam ($101) or Chaturthi Archana ($15). Registration and other details can be obtained from Vijay on 022 034 3536 or visit the Temple’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officialASGT,” she said.
Similar Special Poojas and Archanas were held in Hindu Temples in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and other cities.
Sri Siddhi Vinayak Temple Mumbai
The Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, is one of the most popular places of visit for residents, visitors to the city and international tourists and accounts for millions of visits each year. The Temple, first consecrated in 1801, has undergone several changes to accommodate the current modern structure but the original Deity has remained.
The Deity was a small structure set in black stone of width 2.5 feet. The outstanding feature of this Deity is the tilt of the trunk to the right side. The idol has four hands (Chaturbhuj), with a Lotus in the upper right, a small axe in the upper left, holy beads in the lower right and a bowl full of Modaks (a delicacy which is a perennial favourite of Lord Siddhivinayak).
Flanking the Deity on both sides are Goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi, signifying sanctity, fulfilment, prosperity and riches. Etched on the forehead of the Deity is an eye resembling the Third Eye of Lord Shiva.
The Temple offers live shows of major events and Arthi on its website (www.siddhivinayak.org).
(Photo from Temple Website)
Millions of Ganesha Idols are made every year in Mumbai alone for use and immersion (ten days later) into the sea. Fresh idols are made for the Festival every year, like fresh flowers adorning a fresh season.
Idols vary in size, from towering ten feet to pocket-size models, colour, texture and price. Florists put up five-foot idols, wholly made up of flowers, while some Temples would feature a design made with multi-coloured food grains. Other modes include the Rangoli, expressed through colour powder, ice idols, clay models and plastic carvings.
Lord Ganesha’s Trunk
According to the Hindu Scriptures, Lord Ganesha’s Trunk and its direction are significant.
The Left-Facing Trunk is known as Vamamukhi, symbolising peace and prosperity. This form of the Lord is commonly found in homes. The Left-Facing Trunk is also believed to bring liberation (Moksha) and accrue Spiritual Growth.
The Right-Facing Trunk is known as Siddhi Vinayaka (Bestower of Boons), mostly found in Temples and signifies Nirvana or Liberation.
The Front-Facing Trunk represents Sushumna Nadi, which runs along the Spinal Cord and symbolises a healthy mental and physical balance.
The Immersion Ceremony
Immersion of the Idol of Lord Ganesha on the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi is a religious observance to symbolise the non-permanence of all earthlings. The Idols were made of clay and would not last long.
The Idol is immersed in a flowing river, at sea or in a well at home. At each of these, a simple Immersion Ceremony is performed. Some sections of the Hindu community perform the ceremony three, five or seven days after Ganesh Chaturthi.
The increasing popularity of Ganesh Chaturthi encouraged the production of colourful Idols made from plastics. Pollution became a major problem with many local governments issuing prohibition orders. The Madras High Court ruled in 2004 that immersion of Ganesh Idols is unlawful because it incorporates chemicals that pollute the seawater.
In Goa, the sale of plaster-of-Paris Ganesha idols has been banned by the state government and celebrants are encouraged to buy traditional, artisan-made clay idols.
Recent initiatives to produce traditional clay Ganesh idols in Hyderabad have been sponsored by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
Environmental concerns are also encouraging people in Gujarat to opt for Ganesh Idols made with a mixture of cow dung and clay. These are marketed as Vedic Ganesh Idols by the organisation making them.
Due to environmental concerns, many families now avoid bodies of water and let the clay Murtis disintegrate in a barrel of water at home. After a few days, the clay is spread in the garden. In some cities, a public, eco-friendly process is used for the immersion.
