Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festivals. It celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. This makes the festival special for devotees who seek his blessings.
The festival lasts for ten days. People worship beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and public spaces. They offer prayers and sweets and perform rituals with great devotion. The celebration starts with the installation of the idol and continues with daily prayers and festivities, bringing joy and spiritual energy.
In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on Saturday, 7th September. The ten-day festival, called Ganesh Utsav, will end on Tuesday, 17th September, with the Visarjan. During Visarjan, the idol is taken in a grand procession and immersed in water. This act symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s return to his heavenly home, and devotees say farewell, hoping he will return next year to bless their homes.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat)
If you are planning to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion, it is important to know the best timings or shubh muhurat for the rituals. These timings help ensure your prayers are offered at the right moments. Here are the details for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024:
- Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat: The most auspicious time for the main Ganesh Puja is between 11:03 am and 1:34 pm on 7th September 2024.
- Chaturthi Tithi Start Time: The Chaturthi Tithi starts at 3:01 pm on 6th September 2024.
- Chaturthi Tithi End Time: The Chaturthi Tithi ends at 5:37 pm on 7th September 2024.
- Ganpati Bappa Murti Sthapana Subh Time: The best time to install Lord Ganesha’s idol at home or public pandals is from 11:03 am to 1:34 pm on 7th September 2024.
- Brahma Muhurta: The Brahma Muhurta is from 4:31 am to 5:16 am for an early morning prayer.
- Vijaya Muhurta: Another good time for rituals is between 2:24 pm and 3:14 pm on 7th September 2024.
- Ganesh Visarjan: The festival ends with Ganesh Visarjan, which will be on 17th September 2024.
Following these timings will help you celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a spiritually beneficial way, bringing blessings and happiness throughout the year.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Importance and Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festivals. It has a deep religious meaning and is celebrated with great joy all over India. People come together to honour and worship Lord Ganesha. This festival is marked by big celebrations that bring families, friends, and communities together to show their devotion.
On this day, devotees bring beautiful idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes or set them up in public places. The idol is worshipped for 11 days with daily prayers and offerings. The festival atmosphere is filled with music, decorations, and devotion. It celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings.
Ganesh Chaturthi is especially important in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa, where it is celebrated with even more energy and joy. People eagerly wait for this day to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for prosperity and success.
There is a tradition where devotees avoid looking at the moon on this day. According to old beliefs, seeing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi may bring bad luck or false accusations. Many people follow this custom to avoid any unfortunate events.
The festival ends on Anant Chaturdashi, with a grand procession and the immersion of Ganesha idols in water. This act symbolizes the return of Lord Ganesha to his heavenly home. During these 11 days, devotees not only celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha but also the joy and unity that the festival brings into their lives.
Avoid Moon Sighting on Kalank Chaturthi
As per the Hindu Panchang, devotees should avoid looking at the moon during certain hours on Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Kalank Chaturthi. This is based on an old belief that seeing the moon on this day may bring bad luck or false accusations, known as a curse. To prevent this, it is important to follow these timings:
- 6th September 2024: Avoid looking at the moon between 3:01 PM and 8:16 PM.
- 7th September 2024: Refrain from moon sighting from 9:30 AM to 8:44 PM.
These hours are considered inauspicious for moon sightings. Following this tradition helps devotees avoid any negative effects and ensures that the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations remain positive. This custom has been followed for generations and is an important part of the rituals for many devotees.
Reason Behind Avoiding Moon Sightings on Kalank Chaturthi
The belief that seeing the moon on Kalank Chaturthi is unlucky comes from an old myth. According to this story, Lord Ganesha was once wrongly accused of stealing the moon, which led to a harmful curse. Because of this, it is believed that looking at the moon on this day might cause false accusations or misunderstandings.
This story shaped the tradition where devotees avoid looking at the moon on Kalank Chaturthi. People believe that the moon’s influence could lead to miscommunication or blame. By avoiding the moon, devotees hope to protect themselves from negative events and keep peace in their lives.
Following this tradition shows respect for Lord Ganesha and reflects a commitment to truth and spiritual awareness. It is an important part of Ganesh Chaturthi, reminding people to be mindful of their actions. Through this practice, devotees seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for a peaceful and trouble-free life.
