Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Know Lord Ganesha's idol sthapna timing, dos and don'ts to follow on Vinayaka Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a grand festival celebrated across India. This auspicious day marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who symbolises wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 will be observed with great enthusiasm and devotion.

As Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 is just around the corner, let’s explore the Lord Ganesh idol's sthapna timing, dos and don'ts for celebrating this festival, and how to properly welcome Ganpati into your home.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

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Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with joy and devotion across the country. Falling in August or September, this ten-day festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known as the "Remover of Obstacles." The celebration includes prayers, processions, and rituals, which bring together people of all ages.

Historically, the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi dates back centuries. It is believed that the Satavahana, Rashtrakuta, and Chalukya dynasties celebrated this festival, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj making it popular in Maharashtra to promote unity and nationalism.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Date and Timing

In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi begins on September 7 and concludes with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion of the idol) on September 17, also known as Anant Chaturdashi.

• Chaturthi Tithi Begins: September 6, 2024 - 03:01 PM
• Chaturthi Tithi Ends: September 7, 2024 - 05:37 PM
• Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Muhurat: September 7, 2024 - 10:30 AM to 12:59 PM

Lord Ganesh Idol's Sthapna Timing for 2024

The installation or Sthapna of Lord Ganesha’s idol is a crucial part of the festival, believed to bring happiness and prosperity to homes. In 2024, the best time for sthapna is during the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat, which is from 11:04 AM to 1:35 PM. This auspicious time lasts for 2 hours and 31 minutes. After the installation, devotees worship the idol for 10 days with utmost devotion and traditional rituals.

Rules for Welcoming Lord Ganpati at Home on Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

• Clean Your Home: Make sure your home is clean and you have taken a purifying bath before bringing the Lord Ganesha idol into your house.
• Set Up the Kalash: Place a Kalash (a sacred pot) filled with water and topped with a coconut. Decorate it with betel leaves.
• Prepare the Seat: Set up a special ‘Aasan’ (seat) for the idol. Ensure it is clean and well-prepared.
• Adorn the Idol: Dress the Lord Ganpati idol with a sacred thread known as Janve, placing it on the left shoulder.
• Apply Tilak and Decorations: Apply a tilak of sandalwood paste on the idol. Decorate it with flower garlands, Durva grass, and vibrant red flowers.
• Perform the Rituals: Recite the mantras for Prana Pratishtha, light a ghee lamp or diya, offer Modak to Lord Ganesha, and finish with the aarti.

By following these steps, you can properly welcome Lord Ganpati into your home and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion and respect.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Dos and Don'ts

Dos for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

• Eco-friendly Idol: Choose an eco-friendly clay idol for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 to avoid harming the environment.
• Follow Muhurat: Perform the Lord Ganesh idol's sthapna during the specified muhurat to ensure good fortune and blessings.
• Present Offerings: Always offer food, water, and prasad to Lord Ganpati first before consuming them.
• Sattvic Food: Prepare and offer pure, vegetarian dishes such as modak, laddoo, and kheer.
• Decorate the Idol: Adorn the idol with flowers, durva grass, and red flowers as part of the worship.

Don'ts for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

• No Garlic or Onion: Avoid using garlic and onions during the 10-day festival.
• No Meat or Alcohol: Abstain from consuming meat and alcohol throughout the celebration.
• Avoid Leaving Ganesh Alone: Ensure that Lord Ganpati is not left unattended; someone must always be present in the house with the deity.
• No Immersion Without Aarti: Never immerse Lord Ganesha's idol without performing the aarti and offering prasad.

Avoiding Moon Sightings

In Ganesh Chaturthi 2024, avoid looking at the moon as it is considered inauspicious. The specific times to avoid moon sightings are:

• September 6: 03:01 PM to 08:17 PM
• September 7: 09:30 AM to 08:46 PM

Offerings and Bhog for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

During the festival, devotees offer a variety of sweets and bhog to Lord Ganesh. Modak, his favourite sweet, is the most prominent offering. Other offerings include:

- Laddoo

- Pooran Poli

- Kheer

- Supari

These offerings are prepared with love and devotion to please Lord Ganpati.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Puja Vidhi (Worship Rituals)

• Begin your day early by taking a purifying bath and wearing fresh clothes.
• Place the idol on a decorated platform covered with a red or yellow cloth.
• Offerings such as modak, yellow flowers, supari, and durva grass should be presented to Lord Ganesh.
• Light a lamp, recite mantras like "Om Gan Ganpataye Namah," and perform the aarti.
• Continue the daily puja and recite Ganesh Stotram and other prayers during the festival.

By following the dos and don'ts of Ganesh Chaturthi 2024, observing the Lord Ganesh idol's sthapna timing, and performing the rituals with devotion, you can welcome prosperity and remove obstacles from your life. May this Ganesh Chaturthi bring joy and blessings to everyone!

Ganesh Chaturthi FAQ:

Q. What is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated for?

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the God of new beginnings, and wisdom, and the one who removes obstacles.

Q. Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated for 10 days?

According to the story, Lord Shiva once beheaded Ganesha. To fix his mistake, he gave Ganesha the head of an elephant. This event is remembered during Ganesh Chaturthi, which is celebrated for 10 days to honour Ganesha's birth and his return to his mother, Parvati.

Q. What does Ganesh Chaturthi represent?

This colourful and grand festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, wealth, and fresh starts. It is an important festival in Hindu culture that brings people together to pray, celebrate, and strengthen community bonds.

Q. What is the importance of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi signifies the cycle of life, from birth to death. When the Ganesha idol is immersed in water, it is believed that he takes away the problems from the home, destroying them as he returns to the Earth.

Q. Can we keep Ganpati for 3 days?

The length of time Ganesha stays at home depends on family traditions or personal choices:

Permanently: Some keep Ganesha at home as a symbol of constant blessings and devotion.

Q. What is the key point of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi honours Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and celebrates his birth. People worship Ganesha before starting new journeys, business ventures, or intellectual pursuits, believing he brings order and success.

Q. Why is Lord Ganesha immersed in water?

The immersion of Ganesha's idol symbolizes the life cycle. Since Ganesha was created from Earth, his clay idol is returned to the water to mark the end of his stay in the home or temple during the festival.

Q. Who started Ganesh Chaturthi?

The 10-day Ganesh Utsav, ending with the Visarjan, became popular thanks to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He promoted its widespread celebration during India's independence movement.

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