Bhubaneswar, Sept 15: Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor and grandeur throughout India. This joyous occasion commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, a revered Hindu deity who symbolizes knowledge, wealth, and new beginnings. Lord Ganesha is the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
In various regions of India, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Goa, Lord Ganesha holds a special place as the god of fresh starts, the remover of obstacles, and the patron of wisdom and intelligence.
Lord Ganesh is known by various names, including Gajanana, Dhoomraketu, Ekdanta, Vakrtunda, and Siddhi Vinayaka. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on this auspicious day, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of August or September.
The festival involves the creation of enormous Ganesha idols and the adornment of beautiful pandals, and it spans over ten days. On the final day of the festival, known as Anant Chaturdashi or Ganesh Visarjan day, colorful and musical processions carry the idols for immersion in water bodies, following tradition.
In recent times, there has been increasing awareness of the environmental impact of the festival, particularly regarding the immersion of idols made from non-biodegradable materials. Efforts have been made to promote eco-friendly celebrations by using clay idols and reducing pollution in water bodies.
As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, devotees across the country begin preparations for the festival, including determining the correct date for Ganesh Chaturthi 2023. While there may be some confusion surrounding the exact date, we aim to provide you with the most accurate information.
The question arises: Is Ganesh Chaturthi on September 18th or September 19th?
This year, similar to the confusion experienced with Raksha Bandhan and Krishna Janmashtami, there is uncertainty about whether Ganesh Chaturthi commences on September 18th or 19th. Ganesh Chaturthi marks the celebration of Lord Ganesh's birth, during which he is revered as the embodiment of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. According to scriptures, Lord Ganesh is believed to have been born during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. In contemporary times, Ganesh Chaturthi typically falls in either August or September, according to the Gregorian calendar.
In 2023, the ten-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 19th. According to the Hindu calendar, Vinayak Chaturdashi 2023 will commence on Monday, September 18th, at 12:39 PM and conclude at 8:43 PM on Tuesday, September 19th. Additionally, if you refer to the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat, it will commence at 11:01 AM and conclude at 01:28 PM, lasting for 2 hours and 27 minutes. It is advised to avoid moon sightings on the day before Ganesha Chaturthi, from 09:45 AM to 08:44 PM.
