Ganesh Chaturthi 2015: Quotes, History, And Traditions For The Festival Of Ganesh

Ganesh Chaturthi 2015 has arrived, and anyone who wants quotes, history, and rituals about the Indian holiday can look no further.

The Ganesh Chaturthi holiday marks when all Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesh, and this year starts on September 17. It is an official holiday in the Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu regions of India.

There are many stories linked to the history of Ganesh Chaturthi, but one of the most popular is about the Goddess Parvati, who is believed to be the greater of Ganesha.

“The story says that Parvati used her sandalwood paste and created Ganesha in the absence of Shiva. She gave him the work of guarding her bathroom door while she was bathing,” IBN Live noted. “After Shiva returned home, Ganesha and Shiva got into a tiff due to which Shiva severed the head of the child. Witnessing this site, Parvati enraged and Lord Shiva promised getting Ganesh back to life. The followers searched for a child’s head facing north, but all they could find was an elephant’s head. And that’s how our Gajanana was born.”

The holiday is celebrated over the course of 10 days, with people singing hymns and making offerings in their homes and taking part in public celebrations as well.

As Office Holidays explains, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of India’s most celebrated holidays.

“This remains one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the Country, partly because Ganesh is one of the most popular deities for worship. His blessings are often invoked at religious ceremonies as he is the one who can remove all obstacles to success, particularly when people are starting a new business or enterprise. Ganesh is known as the giver of fortune and one who can help to avoid natural calamities. Ganesh is also the patron god of travelling.”

The festivals are good for the Indian economy as well, generating an estimated Rs.20,000 crore across India.

LiveMint noted that the Ganesh Chaturthi festivals are a big boost when the economy is otherwise stagnant.

“Terming the festival as ‘recession-proof,’ Assocham said expenditure on the festival is growing at an annual rate of 30% and the number of ‘mandals’ (elaborate, artificial structures erected with idols of Ganesha) is increasing at 5-10% per year. The report says the setting up of these ‘mandals’ attract ‘generous contribution by people from all walks of life’ and generate employment for thousands of people. For instance, last year, the organisers of ‘mandals’ across Mumbai took a combined insurance cover worth Rs.450 crore last year.”

Many outlets are sharing Ganesh Chaturthi quotes for those to share, including All India Roundup, which gathered a number of English greetings for the holiday.

May Lord Ganesha shower
Abundant good luck on you
And may He always bestow
You with His blessings!
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Wishing you never ending happiness
like Ganesha’s appetite
Life as long as his trunk
Troubles as small as his mouse
Memories as sweet as his moddaks
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

More quotes, history and rituals for Ganesh Chaturthi 2015 can be found here.

[Image via Agung Parameswara/Getty Images]