Bhajans

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Ganesh Chaturthi

Festival of Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity known as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences.

Significance

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and seeks his blessings for new beginnings, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles.

Duration: 11 days

Rituals & Traditions

Installing Ganesha idols
Daily prayers and offerings
Modak preparation and offering
Community celebrations
Cultural programs and processions
Visarjan (immersion ceremony)

Sacred Shloka

Vakratunda Mahakaya

Sanskrit:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

English Translation:

O, Lord with a curved trunk and mighty body, whose splendor is equal to a million suns, please make all my endeavors free of obstacles, always.

Meaning:

This powerful shloka is the most popular invocation to Lord Ganesha, recited before beginning any important work to seek his blessings for removing all obstacles and ensuring success.

Sacred Stories

The Story of the Moon

According to one legend, on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha was returning home after a feast. As he was walking, he tripped and fell, causing his stomach to burst open and all the modaks to spill out. The moon, who was watching, laughed at him. Angered by the moon's arrogance, Ganesha cursed the moon, saying that anyone who saw the moon on this day would be subject to false accusations. The curse was later softened, stating that one could look at the moon a second time to negate the effects.

The Birth of Ganesha

Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from the turmeric paste she used for her bath and breathed life into him. She asked him to guard the entrance while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was stopped by Ganesha, who didn't recognize him, Shiva in anger cut off the boy's head. Seeing Parvati's grief, Shiva promised to replace the head with that of the first living being he found, which was an elephant. Thus, Ganesha got his elephant head and was blessed to be worshipped first before any other deity.

Devotional Bhajan

Sukh Karta Dukh Harta Varta Vighnachi

Hindi/Sanskrit:

सुख कर्ता दुःख हर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची नुरवी पुरवी प्रेम कृपा जयाची सर्वांगी सुंदर उती शेंदुराची कंठी झळके माल मुक्ताफळांची जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती रत्नखचित फरा तुज गौरीकुमरा चंदनाची उटी कुंकुमकेशरा हिरे जडित मुकुट शोभतो बरा रुणझुणती नूपुरे चरणी घागरा जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती

English Translation:

Giver of happiness, remover of sorrows, destroyer of obstacles Fulfill our desires with your love and grace Beautiful in every way, with the glow of vermillion Necklace of pearls shining around your neck Victory to the Lord, victory to the auspicious form Just your sight fulfills all desires of the mind Gem-studded crown adorns you, O son of Gauri Sandal paste and saffron adorn your body Diamond-studded crown looks beautiful Tinkling anklets on your feet make sweet sounds Victory to the Lord, victory to the auspicious form Just your sight fulfills all desires of the mind

Meaning:

This is also the popular Marathi Ganesha Aarti, sung as a bhajan. It praises Lord Ganesha as the one who brings joy and happiness and is the remover of sorrow and obstacles. It is a beautiful invocation to seek his blessings.

Sacred Aarti

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva

Hindi/Sanskrit:

जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा एकदंत दयावंत चार भुजाधारी मस्तक सिंदूर सोहे मूसे की सवारी अंधे को आंख देत कोढ़ी को काया बांझ को पुत्र देत निर्धन को माया सूर श्याम शरण आए सफल कीजे सेवा माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा दीनन की लाज राखो शंभु सुतकारी कामना करो पूरी आस तुम्हारी राम श्याम मेरे घट में बसो निरंतर माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा

English Translation:

Victory to Ganesha, victory to Lord Ganesha Whose mother is Parvati and father is Mahadeva One-tusked, compassionate, bearer of four arms Vermillion adorns his forehead, riding on a mouse You give eyes to the blind, body to the leper You give children to the childless, wealth to the poor Sur Shyam has come to your shelter, make his service successful Whose mother is Parvati and father is Mahadeva Protect the honor of the humble, O son of Shambhu Fulfill desires, you are our hope Ram Shyam, reside in my heart continuously Whose mother is Parvati and father is Mahadeva Victory to Ganesha, victory to Ganesha, victory to Lord Ganesha Whose mother is Parvati and father is Mahadeva

Meaning:

This is a traditional Hindu aarti that praises Lord Ganesha and his divine parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is a song of devotion and a plea for blessings, with lyrics that glorify his form and his role as the remover of all obstacles.