Importance Of Vinayaki & Sankashti Chaturthi

Chaturthi that falls on the fourth day after the full moon day or after the new moon in considered as very auspicious day in Hindu tradition and is devoted to the Lord Ganesha. Most of the times people are only aware about the Ganesha Chaturthi or the Ganapati festival that starts from this day, which comes in the Bhadrapada month as per the Hindi calendar. However, in the month of Bhadrapada two Chaturthi comes, which is referred as Vinayaki and Sankashti. The devotees of Lord Ganesha observe a fast on the Chaturthi that falls after new or full moon.

However, the Chaturthi that comes in every month on the fourth day after the full moon is termed as Sankashti Chaturthi. Most of the believers also keep a full day fast on this Chaturthi and ends it after the moonrise after offering a special puja to Lord Ganesha. Chaturthi of every month that falls after new moon is termed as the Vinayaki Chaturthi and it falls especially on Tuesday, it is referred as Angaraki Chaturthi, which is considered as the most auspicious. It has been said that individual who observe fast on these days achieve happiness, success and desire fulfillment in their life.

Meaning Of Each Element Of Ganesha’s Body

Ganesha Chaturthi is a festival that has been getting celebrated on forth day of bright half of the Bhadrapad. In Sanatam Dharma the Lord Ganesha is considered as a symbol of intellect (budhhi) and wisdom (vijnana).

The various elements of Lord Ganesha have its own meaning and reason behind that. The huge elephant head of Ganesha represents the ability of human being to think big in every aspect of their life. The only one tusk of deity signifies the dedication of an individual towards their work or goal. Wide ears of him signify wisdom and ability learn as well as to hear the people who require help. Ganesha’s curved trunk represents the intellectual potential to distinguish between the truths and lies; where as trishula on his forehead indicates the time and his master on it. The little mouse (mushaka) is considered as a vehicle of Ganesha represents control of desire as, an uncontrolled desire of an individual can cause havoc in their life. 

Huge stomach of deity conveys a message that every individual should develop an ability to digest all kind of situation or times of their life. The positioning of his legs indicates participation in spiritual as well as materialist world. Four arms of the deity signify four different attributes of inner self that is mind, ego, intellect and conscience. Axe in one hand represents retrenchment of desires, whip in other hands signifies force, the third hands is for blessing toward their devotees, whereas the forth hand holding lotus indicates highest goal of the human evolution. 

Spiritual And Scientific Reason Of Ganesha Visharjan

The last ritual that is performed at the end of Ganesha Chaturthi festival is the Ganesha Visharjan or Ganesha Immersion. In this ritual, devotees get the Ganesh idol to the nearest river of seacoast for its immersion in water. As per the belief, it has been said the deity goes back to their home after giving blessing to all their devotees.

However, the other version of the story says that, during this festival the idol of the Lord Ganesha has been made from the soil of the nearest rivers, ponds and tanks for the purpose of fresh water restoration in that by digging out the clay or soil from it. They use that soil for idol making of the deity and after worshipping the idol during the festival immerse at the same place. The various herbal elements used while worshiping the idol such as turmeric and many other herbal materials has also been immersed in the water, which acts as a helping agent for the sea living such as fish or tortoise to grow.

Ganesha festival is not celebrated as spiritual or Hindu ritual it also serves the cause of environmental protection.