Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi is a Hindu festival celebrated every year. On this auspicious day, Lord Ganesha was born. Lord Ganesh is considered to be the God of wealth, knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity. He is the giver of fortune, wisdom, and prosperity, and protector against natural calamities. This is probably why Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of the Elephant God, is one of the most popular festivals in India. Here are some of the popular rituals that go into the celebration of the festival, and what they mean.

A popular tradition followed on the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi is to avoid looking at the moon. Looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank, which means false accusation of stealing something.

The day begins with the worshippers taking a ritual bath and donning new clothes to perform the worship of Ganesha. Cleanliness and purity of the body and mind is a pre-requisite for performing any kind of worship. A Ganesha idol is bathed in scented water (Abhishekam) and then covered in new saffron cloth. It is safely placed on a pedestal and adorned with sandalwood paste and fresh flower garlands.

Durva, is a sacred grass that has special significance in the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganesha. The word Durva is derived from the words duhu and avam. Duhuavam means that which is far away and means that which brings closer. According to this meaning, Durva is that which brings the distant pure spiritual particles (pavitraks) of Lord Ganesha closer.

Modak is a dumpling of rice or flour stuffed with grated jaggery, coconuts and dry fruits, is a popular food in this festival and is the main ‘prasad’ offered to Lord Ganesha. It is considered to be the lord’s favourite sweet.