Despite the perilous news for so many people, today is the first day of the annual celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival honoring the birthday of the great Hindu God, Ganesh.
Also known as Ganapati and Ganesha, He is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
He is the Lord of success, destroyer of evils and remover of obstacles. He is also worshiped as the God of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
His worship literally breaks down barriers and removes all obstacles, for He is joyfully embraced regardless of caste, sect, and nationality.
His popularity extends far beyond the borders of India, including throughout Thailand and other southeastern Asian countries. He is a beloved favorite among Jains, Buddhists, many Pagans, and of course He is one of the primary five Hindu deities.
With His easy-to-recognize elephant’s head, complete with a curved trunk (which represents the symbol of “Om”) and His big, very well-fed human body, dear Ganesh is invoked at the commencement of any good action and He protects His devotees from all obstacles.
Blessings for All New Beginnings
While this is His own festival time, He is worshiped during every festival, for He opens the way to virtue and all good things. He is invoked before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture.
You will also see Him guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping out of calendars and happily blessing marriages and other important occasions.
It is believed that offering puja (adoration, worship, reverence) to Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi will bring success, abundance, peace and prosperity. He will break down the barriers that can be frustrating and painful, and Ganesh blesses His faithful with prosperity.
Traditional rites include chanting puja and working with a clay image of Ganesh that later can be dissolved in a river or sacred waters. Appropriate offerings may include milk, rice, red flowers, Druva Grass blades (Agrostis linearis), coconut, and sandalwood incense.
The best offering, of course, is giving your own time and your devotion to removing humanity’s obstacles of ignorance, prejudice, and fear.
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
If ever the world needed huge, benevolent, loving Divine help to remove the barriers of ancient hatreds, cease self-destructive violence, and soothe the confounding complexities that threaten horrific outcomes at every turn, it is NOW.
We urgently call upon blessed Ganesh today, to break down the walls of ignorance, greed, and bigotry.
Come to us now, and hear our prayers, dear Ganesh. Open our minds and our hearts.
With the new beginnings from Sunday’s New Moon, we pray that you inspire our profound renewal. With a stroke of your powerful ax, may you dissipate the assorted villains, as well as the illusions, deceits, and lies that feed the flames of suffering and war.
Let us each vow to embody His wisdom, His joy, and His kindness.
Let us gladly invoke and celebrate our gracious Ganesh on this, His most auspicious day!
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva!
Mata Jaaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva!
ganesh is a favourite of mine! jai indeed to all you said!