Search This Blog

Vinayaki Chaturthi

Importance of Vinayaki Chauti

Vinayaki Chauti, dedicated to Pratham Pooja of Lord Ganesha, begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi or Chauti) of the Shukla Paksha every month.

Legend

The legend associated with his birth says that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from sand to keep guard while she bathed. Lord Ganesha, dedicatedly watching over his mother, denied entry even to Lord Shiva. An enraged Lord Shiva chopped off his head to gain entry. Goddess Parvati told Lord Shiva that Ganesha was their child and asked for his life. Shiva asked his ganas to look for a deceased individual who lies still facing North. The devas could only locate a dead elephant with its head pointing to the north and took its head to Lord Shiva, who put it on Lord Ganesha's neck. This is also why Lord Ganesha is called Gajanana.

Lord Ganesh symbolism

Ganesha’s elephant head is symbolic of strength and the balance between knowledge and action, his large belly symbolises generosity and acceptance, his single tusk and small eyes represent one-pointedness and his upraised hand is symbolic of protection.