The 10-day long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is here again. One of the biggest Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrate in the honour of Lord Ganesha. This year the Ganpati festival, which starts on the fourth day of Hindu Luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada will fall on August 25, 2017 (date in India) and end with the Ganesha Visarjan on September 5. The sacred festival revering the God of Good Beginnings is marked with the chanting of Vedic hymns and holy Hindu manuscripts such as Ganapati Upanishad, vrat (fasting), puja vidhi (rituals) and offering prasadam, especially modak. It is highly important to carry out all these keeping Shubh Muhurat (auspicious timings) in mind to beget the blessings from Shri Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Take a look at all the necessary puja details before invoking Ganpati Bappa this Ganesh Chaturthi 2017.

Lord Ganesh is the Hindu God of prosperity, good luck, intelligence, wisdom, new beginnings and obstacle remover. He is worshipped before any deity in Hinduism after earning the right to worshipped first from his parents, Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the honour of the birth anniversary of Elephant God, his rise to become the most adored God in Hindu pantheon and earn the title of Vighnaharta, the one who removes the obstacles.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi Date and Shubh Muhurat Time?

Ganesh Chaturthi begins on the fourth day of Hindu Luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which falls in the month of August or September according to the Gregorian calendar. It is believe that the God of Good Fortune was born during Shukla Paksha of the said month. 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi will be an 11-day festival after the commencement on August 25 (Friday). Devotees invoke Shri Ganesha on the Ganeshotsav with Avahana and Pratishthapan during shubh muhurat (auspicious timings). Ganesh Puja or Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja is preferably done at Madhyahna. According to Hindu mythology, it is believe that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahna Kala that is equivalent to midday according to Hindu division of the day.

According to Drik Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 20:27 on August 24, 2017, and ends at 20:31 next day on August 25, 2017. The Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Time is Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Time = 11:06 to 13:39, Duration = 2 Hours 33 Mins. On 24th August, Time to Avoid Moon Sighting = 20:27 to 20:43, Duration = 0 Hours 16 Mins. On 25th, Time to Avoid Moon Sighting = 09:10 to 21:20, Duration = 12 Hours 9 Mins. Sighting moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank, which means a false accusation of stealing something.

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi

A devotee can worship Lord Ganesh at during Pratahkala, Madhyahnakala and Sayankala but it is always best to perform Ganesh Puja during Madhyahnakala. The Elephant God is worship with sixteen rituals (puja vidhi) along with chantings of puranik mantras, which is known as Shodashopachara Puja. Before the sixteen steps of Shri Ganesha Puja, the person observing fast and conducting puja must begin with Deep-Prajawalan(lighting diya) and Sankalpa (making a vow to complete the ritual to the best of ability). If you’re installing Ganesh idol for the first time, you must do Avahana and Pratishthapan (invoking and installing) otherwise these two steps is not need. Below are the puja vidhi (rituals and steps) in detail.

1. Avahana and Pratishthapan – Puja should begin with the invocation of Lord Ganesha, one should chant the following Mantra in front of the idol, by showing Avahan Mudra (Avahan Mudra is form by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards).

He Heramba Tvamehyehi Hyambikatryambakatmaja।
Siddhi-Buddhi Pate Tryaksha Lakshalabha Pituh Pitah॥
Nagasyam Nagaharam Tvam Ganarajam Chaturbhujam।
Bhushitam Svayudhaudavyaih Pashankushaparashvadhaih॥
Avahayami Pujartham Rakshartham Cha Mam Kritoh।
Ihagatya Grihana Tvam Pujam Yagam Cha Raksha Me॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Avahayami-Sthapayami॥

2. Pratishthapan is done after Lord Ganesha has invoked, installing Lord Ganesha statue while chanting mantra.

Asyai Pranah Pratishthantu Asyai Pranaksharantu Cha।
Asyai Devatvamarchayai Mamaheti Cha Kashchana॥
Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
Supratishtho Varado Bhava॥

Asana Samarpan – After Lord Ganesha has invoked and got install, take five flowers in Anjali (by joining palm of both hands) and leave them in front of the idol to offer a seat to Shri Ganesha while chanting following Mantra.

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat (Fasting)

According to Astrospeak, Shri Ganesh devotees who fast must begin the vrat at the dawn and fast till the evening. Many worshippers observe Nirjal Vrat by abstaining from food and water throughout the period of vrat. Complete fast can give great results. However, partial fast or Phalahar Vrat is also permit with the consumption of prasad offer at the puja and milk. In the evening, Ganesh puja is perform once again and the Vinayaka Chaturthi fast is conclude.

Following Vinayaka Chaturthi day, the pujas is offer daily in the morning and evening for a few days till the day when the immersion ceremony (Ganesha Visarjan). Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration that brings us all together. Known by 108 different names, a devotee who worships him with pure heart seeks blessings in form of Buddhi (Knowledge), fortune, prosperity, wisdom, happiness, obstacles removed from every path of life.

Also read:Bengaluru goes eco-friendly this Ganesha habba