Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated every year in the Bhadrapada month’s 4th day of bright fortnight. As per the beliefs, Lord Ganesha was born on this day during Madhyahna Kaal on Monday in Swati Nakshatra and Leo ascendant. That’s why this one is consider as the main Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi. It is also known as the Kalank Chaturthi and in some areas; people also know it as Danda Chauth.

Ganesh Chaturthi Muhurat

1. The festival is celebrated on the Chaturthi when it is prevalent during the Madhyahna Kaal.
2. If the festival falls on Sunday or Tuesday, it is known as Maha Chaturthi (as its importance increase to a greater extent).

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat & Puja Vidhi

1. The one who is doing fast must take the idol of Ganesha made of copper, gold, mud, etc. after getting over with the daily morning rituals.
2. After fill a new Kalash with water, cover its mouth with a new cloth and place Lord Ganesha over it.
3. After offering vermillion and Durva, bring 21 Laddus as the sacred food. Keeping 5 Laddus for Ganesh Ji, offer rest of them to the needy people and Brahmins.
4. Ganesha must be worshipped in the evening. After recite Ganesh Chaturthi Katha, Aarti, and Chalisa offer water to the Moon without looking at it.
5. On this day, Siddhivinayak incarnation of Ganesha is worshipped.

Note:

1. As per the beliefs, Moon must not be seen on this day, otherwise one gets damned. If Moon is seen by mistake, the Dosha (nuisance) can be taken off by chant the below given Mantra for 28, 54, or 108 times. The Dosha can also be removing by reciting the 57th Adhyaya of the 10th Skanda of Srimad Bhagwat.
   
   Mantra to eliminate Chandra Darshan Dosha:
   सिंहःप्रसेनमवधीत्, सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः।
   सुकुमारक मा रोदीस्तव, ह्येष स्यमन्तकः।।
    
2. Make sure that the basil leaves are not use in the Ganesh Pooja. Ganesha likes all leaves and flowers except Tulsi (basil).
3. There is a ritual of circumambulating Ganesha once. Some people trust in doing it thrice.

Legends of Ganesha

As per many pristine beliefs, some famous legends of Ganesha are as follows:

1. Once Goddess Parvati was going to take bathing. With the lather on her body, she created a statue and gave life to it. After that, she appointed him as the security guard. This protector was Lord Ganesha. When God Shiva was incoming the home, he tried to stop him. Hence, Shiva cut off his head. As soon as Parvati got to know about this incident, she started crying a lot. In order to make her happy, Shiva cut another head of an elephant and placed it on Ganesha’s body. After getting the head of an elephant, Ganesha got a new name “Gajanan”.
2. According to another legend, Parvati Ji kept fast of Sri Krishna to get Ganesha because it had been many years to her marriage and she could not get a child. As she got Ganesha as the blessing, Lord Saturn came to see the baby. Due to Shani’s sight, Ganesha’s head got cut apart. So, Vishnu Ji placed elephant’s head on Ganesha’s body.
3. As per the beliefs, once Parashuram arrived Kailash to see Shiva-Parvati. At that time, Shiva-Parvati was sleeping and Ganesh Ji was guarding the entrance. He tried to stop Parashuram, which caused argument and as a result, Ganesha got his one tooth cut by Parashuram. That is why Ganesha also got this name “Ekdant”.

Some Facts about Ganesha

1. Before worshipping any god or doing anything new, Lord Ganesha is worshipped. Without worshipping him, no favorable work is begun. “Shri Ganesh” has become a prevalent idiom before beginning anything new. There is a clear instruction in all the spiritual texts to worship him before start any Pooja.
2. Ganesha is being worshipped from the pristine and Vedic times. Lord Ganesha is a Vedic Devta; his Mantras can clearly be found in Rig Veda and Yajur Veda.
3. Ganesha’s name is involved in the list of five main Devtas including Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, and Surya. It clearly signifies the significance of Ganpati Ji.
4. Gana means a society, community or group; and Isha means the Lord. As he is the Lord of the people of Shiva and Devas, he is known as Ganesha.
5. Shiva is known as his father, Parvati is the mother, Kartikeya (Shadanana) is his brother, Riddhi-Siddhi (daughters of King Vishwakarma) his wives, and Kshema & Labha as his sons.
6. Ganesha has 12 famous names in the Shastras: 
   1. Sumukh
   2. Gajakarna
   3. Vighnanashan
   4. Ganadhyakshaya
   5. Ekdant
   6. Lambodar
   7. Vinayak
   8. Bhalchandra
   9.  Kapil
   10. Vikat
   11. Dhumraketu
   12. Gajanan
7. Ganesha has also written the Mahabharata. When Ved-Vyasa decided to create Mahabharata, he got worried about executing it. Lord Brahma had suggested him to get this work done by Ganesh.
8. As per the pristine texts, ‘ॐ’ is considered as Ganesha. As every Pooja is followed by Ganesh Pooja, each Mantra’s effect increase by saying ‘Om’ before starts it.

Importance of Ganesh Chaturthi

As per the beliefs, Lord Krishna suffers the blame of stealing Syamantak Mani. Considering his awful condition, Narada Ji informed him that he had seen the Moon by mistake on the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. That is why he got affronted. Also, Narada informed him that on this very day, Ganesha had cursed Moon. That is why, one who sees Moon on this day gets blamed and insulted. On Narada’s idea, Krishna performs the fast of Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Vinayagar Chaturthi) and got rid of the curse. Hence, one who worship and fasts on this day, gets rid of all the accusation.

In Indian culture, Ganesha is consider as the giver of education and wisdom; destroyer of hurdles; benedictory; provider of security, Siddhi, affluence, honor and power. Though Vainayiki Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi are celebrated every month during bright and dark fortnight respectively, yet this yearly Vinayaka Chavithi is considered most favorable because Ganesha had appear on this day. If this Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Tuesday, it is considered as Angarak Chaturthi, which helps the worshipper in receiving rid of all the sins and curses. If this Sankatahara Chaturthi falls on Sunday, it is also consider quite favorable.

In Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated as the Ganesh Utsava (Ganesh Festival), which runs till 10 days and ends on Anant Chaturdashi (Ganpati Visarjan). During these days, Ganesha is wonderfully adorned and worshipped. On the last day, Ganesha is engrossed in the water with a great pomp and show.

Due to all these reasons, this festival is consider quite devout and giver of big boons. With this little piece of information, we hope that you will receive the huge blessings of Lord Ganesha on this pious chance of Vinayagar Chaturthi.