There are various legends associated with Ganesh Chaturthi or the birth
of Ganesha. According to Hindu beliefs Lord Ganesha or Ganapati
symbolizes wisdom and good omen or good luck. All the new ventures at
place of work or at home starts by reciting the mantra of Lord Ganesha.
Ganeshji also has long been associated with commerce and trade merchants
still pay homage to him. In households, it's common for small offerings
of money, flowers and food to be placed before one of the family's
effigies of Ganeshji. These tokens please him and he therefore brings
more wealth, prosperity and food to the family. During the time of
Ganesh Chaturthi perform his puja. Sweets in form of ladoos are
distributed; milk is offered to idols of Lord Ganeshji at home and at
temples, and worshippers visit Ganeshji temples for Ganesh Puja.
Meetings, gatherings, weddings, functions and any Indian celebration are
incomplete without the puja of lord Ganesh.
According to legends goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva, created Lord
Ganesh, as she needed a doorkeeper while taking bath. However, while
Parvati was taking her bath, Lord Shiva happened to come there and as
Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him to enter the house. As a
result, Lord Shiva got angry and he beheaded Ganesha. But after
realizing that he had beheaded his own son, lord Shiva used the head of
an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. In this way, Lord Ganesha
acquired the image of the elephant-headed God and he also blessed him
that he will be regarded as the foremost God and his puja will be held
before the puja of any other God. And the person who will perform his
puja will be bestowed with wealth, peace and prosperity. That's the
reason that before any auspicious occasion Hindus performs the puja of
Ganeshji to attain success in it. He is considered to be the God of good
luck and prosperity. Thus Ganesh Chaturthi marks the celebration of the
birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha all over India with great festivities
and zest.
