The great feast of Ganesa is held on the fourth of
September and on this occasion, Hindus consider it very unlucky to look at the
moon. If by accident, they should get a glimpse of it, they believe that the
only way to avert the anger of the god of good luck is to induce their
neighbours to abuse them.
Ganesa is the lord of obstacles, their remover, he is the
foremost among the gods, whose worship is the "first of all". He was
born in midday of the fourth of Bhadropad. He is the god of wisdom, whose mount
is a rat. Riddhi and Siddhi are his two consorts. His favourite oblation is
ladoo (Sweet gram ground fried circular sweet).
On the day of worship, after purifying the body, an image of
Ganesa in gold, silver or earth (mud) is made. This image is tied over a new
pitch full of water. In the evening, after applying sindoor (vermilion) on the
forehead of the image, worship is done. The image should face south. An
oblation of 22 ladoos is offered. Keeping five ladoos in front of the image,
rest are distributed to the priest and others. After oblation, distribution of
sweets and aims, the image is immersed in water. This worship is done to gain
knowledge, wisdom, fame, popularity and to get rid of obstacles in life. The
fast undertaken on this day, ends after worship.
There are many legends laying stress on the importance of the
fast and the worship. In a game of chess between Siva and Parvati.. Ganesa was
made the referee. Although Parvati won every time, yet Ganesa declared Siva as
the Winner. Parvati cursed Ganesa which was only restored when Naga women
performed Ganesa puja. Ganesa was so dutiful, that when he was posted as a
sentry, at the time of Parvati's bath, he did not allow Siva to enter and he
lost his head because of a hit by Siva's axe. Later Ganesa's head was restored
with the head of an elephant. This also happened on Bhadropad Shuki fourth, and
so the celebration
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