Ganesh Chaturthi is slated to begin from tomorrow, but the celebrations across are already in place. With bright lights and fresh flowers, every corner looks captivating. Almost at all the pandals, houses and neighbours have got their handcrafted Ganpati idols. The 10-day long birth anniversary of Ganesha will end on September 23. Devotees across the nation will be engrossed in various rituals. But Ganpati festival is observed on a grand scale in Mumbai. The city of dreams come alive with colour and street procession, glittering mandals, rows of fairy lights and delicious sweet preparations; especially Modak. There are a lot of stories and legends which describes why his birth is celebrated with such a fanfare in India. Ganesh Chaturthi 2018 Date: Significance, History, Importance, Rituals & Why is the Festival of Ganpati Celebrated for 10 Days. 

Ganeshotsav begins on Shukla Chaturthi which is the fourth day of the waxing moon period. The festivity ends after ten days on Anant Chaturdashi which is popularly known as Ganesh Visarjan day. On that day, devotees immerse the idol of elephant-headed Lord Ganesha in water after a captivated procession. As we get ready to gorge on modaks and chant aartis dedicating to the evil destroyer, here are few stories and legends about the cutest lord of them all, that explains the reason behind such long celebration. Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idols You Can Make at Home (Watch DIY Videos). 

Birth of Lord Ganesha

It is said that Mata Parvati created a boy using the mud which she used for her bath and breathed life into him. One day, she asked Ganesha to stand on the central doorway of the house as she was taking a bath. Lord Shiva came and, in the entrance, Ganesha stopped him following the orders of her mother. Angry Shiva beheaded Lord Ganesha with his trident. Goddess Parvati came out and saw her child dead, she became furious and asked Lord Shiva to make her son alive or to see her destroying the world. Lord Shiva regretted and promised wife Parvati that he would resuscitate their son. He ordered his servant to bring the head of the first living being he sees to fix it on the body of Ganesha. It was the head of an elephant. Lord Shiva declared that Lord Ganesha would be worshipped before all the gods and goddesses. Eco-Friendly Ganesha 2018: This Ganpati Idol Grows Into a Tree, Watch Video. 

Single Tusk Ganesha

This legend is related to the tale of the broken tusk that you have noticed. It is believed that Ganesha was writing the Mahabharata while Veda Vyasa would recite him. The feather that he used to write broke. So, to fix that and stick to the condition of writing continuously, Ganesha broke his tusk and wrote with it. On the other hand, some stories also connote that Lord Parashurama cut off one of Ganesha’s tusks because he did not allow him to enter the Shiva abode and meet him, who was busy praying. Among the devotees, he is also popularly known as ‘Ek Dantaya’. Lord Ganesha and His 108 Names! From Vinayaka to Maheshaya, Chant These Names on Ganesh Chaturthi 2018!

Ganesha was Teased By Moon

On one of Lord Ganesha’s birthdays, his mother Goddess Parvati prepared 21 types of delicacies and sweet porridge in a significant amount. He ate so much that his belly could not contain. He then on his vehicle, rat went on his evening round but all of a sudden, his mouse stumbled seeing a big snake. Lord Ganesha fell, and the legend reads that his pot-shaped belly burst and the entire food came out. Seeing this, the moon could not control but laugh which made Lord Ganesha very angry. He cursed the moon that it will vanish from the universe. Because of the moon’s absence, the whole world began to wane. The gods asked Lord Shiva to make Ganesha understand and change his mind. The moon too apologised for his misbehaviour. Finally, Ganesha modified his curse saying that the moon would be invisible on only one day of a month and could be partially seen on Ganesh Chaturthi. He further added that anyone who watches the moon on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi would be accused of doing wrong. This is why, till today, it is considered inauspicious to sight the moon on Ganesha Utsav.

Devotees of Ganesha eagerly wait the whole year to Ganeshotsav. The idol is brought home or to public pandals, and the 10-day festival begins. In Mumbai, Ganesha’s birthday is celebrated with a great deal of pomp and enthusiasm. It is a massive celebration with a giant street play representing spiritual significance. As we gear up to decorate the pandals with fresh flowers and light, foodies pause for Modak.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).