Vinayagar Chathurthi 2020 - Vinayagar Chathurthi History, Date and Vinayagar Chathurthi Celebrations

Vinayagar Chathurthi 2020 - On 22nd August 2020, Vinayagar Chathurthi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God of Wisdom and Success. Read on to know more about Vinayagar Chathurthi, History and Celebrations of Vinayagar Chathurthi, and a lot more.

Monika | Updated Jul 06, 2020 07:15 AM

Vinayagar Chathurthi 2020 - Vinayagar Chathurthi History, Date and Vinayagar Chathurthi Celebrations

Vinayagar Chathurthi 2020

Ganesh Chathurthi or Vinayagar Chathurthi falls on different dates every year, and this year, it is celebrated on 22nd August 2020. Vinayaka Chathurthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God of Success and Wisdom. Huge processions carrying a statue of Lord Ganesha is a common practice on this day. It starts on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar. This means the date will generally fall between 19th August and 20th September each year.

What is the History of Vinayaga Chathurthi?

Lord Ganesha is also known by the names Ganapati, Vinayaka, Ekadanta, Pillaiyar and Heramba.

Vinayagar Chaturthi remains one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, partly because Ganesh is one of the most famous deities for worship. His blessings are often sought at religious ceremonies as he is the one who can change obstacles to success, particularly when people are beginning a new venture. Ganesh is known as the fortune giver and the one who can help to avoid natural calamities. Ganesh is also the patron god of traveling.

Ganesh is depicted with an elephant's head on a human body, and in the Hindu tradition, he is the son of Lord Shiva (the God of Destruction) and the Goddess Parvati. 

Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer changed the annual festival into a significant, well-organized public event after 1893. Tilak encouraged the display of large public images of Lord Ganapati in pavilions and established the practice of submerging all public images and idols of the deity into rivers, seas, or other water pools. 

Where is Vinayaga Chathurthi Celebrated?

Vinayagar Chaturthi is not a public holiday across India. It is a regional holiday celebrated only in individual states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Even in these states, an employer doesn't need to declare the Ganesha Festival as a holiday. It is celebrated with great pomp and show in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Karnataka. Other states that celebrate this festival are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, Delhi, and Punjab. It is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, however, some cities may hold big celebrations.

How is Vinayaga Chathurthi Celebrated?

Artistic clay models of Lord Ganapathi are made that range from 3/4" of an inch to over 25 feet tall two to three months before the festival. These statues are put into beautifully carved mandapas or pandals decorated with flowers, garlands, and lights so that they can be displayed at home. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), which are considered Ganesha's favorite food. Many Hindus visit the temple on this day and offer Lord Ganesha coconut and sweet pudding. Temple elephants are worshipped and fed with their favorite food. 

This remarkable festival includes several public activities such as local communities competing to display the biggest Ganesha statue and best pandal of Lord Ganesha. They also conduct cultural activities such as singing, art presentations, music, and theater performance. They also render community services such as free medical check-ups, blood donations, and charities for the needy.

Lord Ganesha is worshipped for ten days. After the final offerings on the 11th day, a procession accompanied by dancing and singing is done through the streets with devotees carrying the images and statues of Ganesha. The idol is immersed in a waterbody to symbolize Lord Ganesha's journey back to his home in Kailash—the abode of his parents, Shiva and Parvati, taking with him all of the misfortunes of man.

Lord Ganesha Symbolism

The statues of Lord Ganesha are made in various poses that have multiple meanings. Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant, and four podgy hands joined to a large belly with each hand holding its symbolic object. Lord Ganesha holds a Trishul or trident to punish, and Ankush or goad (made from his very own broken tooth) in another to control the mind. He has a lotus in the third to bless humanity's well-being and a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks, his favorite sweet) in the fourth for happiness. Some say that his large ears signify listening to God, while his broad forehead is to develop great intellect. His large stomach shows his capacity to empathize with his devotees' troubles, while his long trunk symbolizes his deep scriptural wisdom.

Vinayagar Chathurthi 2020 - Wishes

  1. On this occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, I wish Lord Ganpati visits your home with bags full of happiness, prosperity, and peace.

  2. May Lord Ganesha keep enlightening your lives and bless you always. Wishing you a Happy Vinayak Chaturthi!

  3. Wishing you happiness as big as Ganesh’s appetite life is long as his mouse and moments as sweet as his laddus Sending You Wishes On Ganesh Chaturthi

  4. Destroy your sorrows; Enhance your happiness; And create goodness all around you! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

  5. I heartily wish Lord Ganesha filled your home with prosperity and fortune. Best wishes on Vinayaka Chaturthi for you and your family! Wish u A Great Vinayak Chaturthi.

  6. As rains bless the Earth Likewise, may Lord Ganesha bless u With never-ending happiness Keep smiling and reciting Ganapati Bappa Morya! Happy Vinayak Chaturthi 2020

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Vinayaga Chathurthi 2020 - FAQs

1. Why do we celebrate Vinayaga Chathurthi?

Vinayaga Chathurthi is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It falls on different days every year, according to the Gregorian calendar.

2. Who are the parents of Lord Ganesha?

 Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the parents of Lord Ganesha. He is the eldest son.

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