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Vinayagar Chaturthi 2014
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Vinayagar Chaturthi
During the Ganesh chaturthi festival, clay idols of Ganesha are specially prepared and most families in Maharashtra install an idol for periods varying from two days to eleven days. During the period when the idol of Ganesha is installed in a home, every morning and evening prayers (Aarti) are performed and hymns are sung. The singing of hymns is a popular event during this festival, especially for children. The hymns are sung to the clanging of small gongs (called jhanja), the sounds of which reverberate throughout the day.
The predominant sweet dish of Ganesh Chaturthi is the ‘modak’, which is called ‘modagam’ in South India. ‘Karanjis’ also is the sweet dish of the festival. ‘Modak’ is a dumpling of wheat flour or rice flour stuffed with jaggery, dry or fresh grated coconut and other condiments. This is fried or steamed. The word ‘modak’ implies ‘that brings happiness’. ‘Karanjis’ are quite similar to ‘modaks’, but have the shape of the 4th day moon.
The festival ends with the ceremony of immersion of the idols in the sea or rivers and wells. This ceremony which is called Ganesha-Visarjan which means immersion of Ganesha is as popular as the festival proper. During the immersion ceremony huge crowds move in a procession carrying idols of Ganesha towards the places of immersion. These processions which take place with great fanfare, begin in the afternoon and continue till the late hours of the night. Although this festival is observed in all parts of the country, it is celebrated with maximum fervour in Maharashtra where it is celebrated both publicly and privately.
This festival occurs on the fourth day (chaturthi). Ganesh Chaturthi occurs around August. In these public celebrations huge images of Ganesha ranging from 10 feet to 40 feet are installed and along with the daily prayers and hymns, there are entertainment programmes which are a major attraction. Till the turn of the last century, this festival was celebrated only in homes and temples.
Vinayagar Chaturthi Pooja Timing :
Pooja Timing |
Nalla Neram : |
Morning - 9.15am to 10.15am |
Evening - 4.45pm to 5.45pm |
Gowri Nalla Neram : |
Morning - 12.15pm to 1.15pm |
Evening - 6.30pm to 7.30pm |
Vinayagar Chaturthi Special Recipes :
UPPU KOZHUKATTAI RECIPE :
| Paruppu Usili Poornam : |
2 TBLSP |
| Rice Flour or Idiyappam Flour : |
1/3 CUP |
| Sesame Oil : |
1-2 TSP |
| Water : |
AS NEEDED |
Method :
After steaming the grind dal which we soaked for usili, allow that to cool and grind it in a mixer. In a pan add oil and throw in few mustard seeds and curry leaves and saute the poornam for a minute.
Poornam is ready. Take a lemon sized of outer dough
With your fingers make a cup put of this and place little poornam inside this and carefully seal this as how we seal the uppu ulundu kozhukattai.
With your fingers make a cup put of this and place little poornam inside this and carefully seal this as how we seal the uppu ulundu kozhukattai.
Courtsy : www.jeyashriskitchen.com
Vinayagar Thudhi :
Vinayagar Photo's :
Great Significance of Vinayaka Chathurthi! :
Lord Vinayaka is the most favourites God among all age groups, whether elders or youngsters! Lord Vinayaka is a constant companion with us being omnipresent where we go – whether streets, river bank, even buildings, banyan trees, street corners.
Lord Vinayaka does not need any big temple – whenever & wherever we want, when we make his image either in clay or turmeric powder, he makes his sacred presence and offers us all his best! Whenever we start a new task, we seek Lord Vinayaka’s blessing before starting it so that it gets completed without any hitch. When Goddess Durga fought the demon Banasura, Lord Vinayaka used his power & weapons to block the astrals from the demon and helped the Goddess to conquer the Asura. This incident exemplifies that Lord Vinayaka will help in overcoming any hurdles while taking up any task.
Another significant aspect is that Lord Vinayaka prefers simplest of food items. These simple items carry great philosophies. Lord Vinayaka’s most favourite food item is ‘Modhagam’ or ‘Kozhukkattai’. This item is white outside and has yellow-coloured sweet inside. It conveys the significance that if one keeps his mind pure & moral, he can attain the height of seeing the invisible God!
Lord Vinayaka likes sugar-cane. Even though it is sweet, it is hard to eat. Similarly, only if you work hard in life, you can taste the sweet of success! People offer flat rice (aval) and pori (puffed rice). They can get flown away with a slight blow! The metaphor is that, all the hardships encountered in one’s life may also be blown away easily.
Just like we celebrate ‘Navaratri’ (9 scred nights) for the Goddess Ambal (Lakshmi, Saraswathi, & Durga together), Lord Vinaya kas is also celebrated with ‘Navaratri’. The nine nights starting from Vinayaka Chathurthi are known as ‘Navaratri’. In the oldent times, these nine nights were celebrated in a grand manner. All people who offer their special prayers and observe penance for Lord Vinayaka will certainly be endowed with health & wealth!
May Lord Vinayaka bless us one & all!
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