New Delhi, September 12 (Udaipur Kiran) : Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha, is celebrated with great reverence across India, particularly in South India. This auspicious occasion not only marks the arrival of Ganesha but also highlights the sacred bond between Goddess Gauri and her son, Lord Ganesh.
In states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the festivities begin a day earlier with ‘Gauri Habba,’ where married women create idols of Goddess Parvati using turmeric and offer prayers for the well-being of their families. This ritual signifies the arrival of the goddess, followed by the welcoming of Lord Ganesha the next day.
According to ancient texts, Gauri is considered one of the most powerful incarnations of the divine feminine. The third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada is dedicated to her, leading to the subsequent celebration of her son Ganesha.
While in North India, this festival is known as Hartalika, it is predominantly observed by married women who adorn themselves in traditional attire and create turmeric idols of Gauri, known as ‘Arishinada Gauri,’ which are decorated with mango flowers and leaves.
During Ganesh Chaturthi, eco-friendly clay idols of Ganesha are set up in homes and temples across South India. The rituals include the chanting of Vedic hymns and the performance of elaborate pujas. In addition to the beloved modak, special dishes like Kozhukattai, made from rice flour and coconut-jaggery, are prepared in Tamil Nadu. Other offerings include pappadam, modak, vada, and payasam.
Though the trend of public pandals has gained popularity similar to Maharashtra, many families in South India still prefer to celebrate privately for one, three, or five days, culminating in the immersion of Ganesha idols in local water bodies like rivers or seas. Notable Vinayak temples in Tamil Nadu and Kerala also host special services and festivities during this period.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.