Importance of Vinayaka Chathurthi

Long ago in order to get Vignesh as son, the universal mother 

Goddess Parvathy Devi did hard penance by making a small

idol of Vignesh with turmeric. Thus Vinayaka was born on the 

fourth day of bright fortnight of Bhaadrapatha month. 

This day came to be known as Vinayaka Chathurthi.

There is another interesting story behind the celebration of 

“Vinayaka Chathurthi”. Legend says that long ago, an asura 

named “Analasura” became very powerful and started to unleash 

destruction among the god-fearing people and sages. 

He ruined all the yagas & yagnas of devout saints and

attacked the pious and common people. Boldened by his initial

successes, he attacked Devaloka. The terrified Devas approached

the trinity namely Mahadeva, Brahma and Vishnu and sought help. 

The Gods listened them patiently and pacified the Devas saying that

the Analaasura’s days are numbered and that the time for his death

 had not yet arrived. Also, lord Mahadeva mentioned that when the time 

comes, the Analaasura would be slain by his son “Vinayaka”.

When the cruel actions of the Analaasura became totally untolerable, 

lord Vinayaka decided to destroy him. Vigneshwara fought with him in 

war & defeated him in combat. Vinayaka now applied a strange stategy. 

He decided that rather than killing the Analaasura with a weapon, 

he would swallow him alive since Vinayaka had a mouth as big as 

an elephant. This happened 3 days before Vinayaka Chaturthi. 

As soon as the Analaasura was swallowed, the immense heat radiating 

from his body scorched Vinayaka and the poor elephant God could not 

tolerate it. 

Devas tried whatever they could in order to cool him. 

Rain God Varuna sent cool showers and wind God Pavana applied 

chilling breeze. Lord Shiva placed the cool moon over Vinayaka.

But all their efforts were in vain. Finally, the “Saptha Rishis” along 

with 8000 Maha Rishis gathered a medicinal grass, commonly known 

as “karuka” in Malayalam & “Arikam” in Tamil, bestowed it with 

divine chants and Ganga theertha and placed 21 grass each on the 

forehead of Vinayaka. This had immense magical effect and he was

relieved of the heat. This day occurred to be Vinayaka Chathuthi. 

Thus Parvathy devi became very happy of getting back her son on 

his birthday itself and its certain that both Vinayaka’s & Parvathy’s

blessings shower on people who put “Karuka” Garlands on him this day.

So every year, this chathurthi day is celebrated as “Vinayaka chathurthi” 

which marks the birth of Ganesh and death of the Analaasura.

On this day, Vinayaka idols are worshipped and then immersed in water 

as a symbol of cooling him. Devotees believe that as soon as the God is 

cooled he becomes so relieved and happy that the genuine prayers of his

devotees are answered. Hence all over the world, during Vinayaka chathurthi, 

Vinayaka idols of all shapes and sizes are decorated and worshipped. 

Special offerings are also part of the festival. A garland made with the

karuka / arikam grass, is put on the idols of Vinayaka. The most colourful 

event in this day is the parading of these idols through the main streets

followed by lakhs and lakhs of devotees singing bhajans and chanting slokas. 

The festival comes to an end when the idols are immersed in wells, canals, 

lakes or even the sea, depending on the size of the idol. Mouth watering 

sweets,melodious drums and trumpets, colourful dresses and dances,

etc are unavoidable in this festival. Let God Vinayaka shower his blessings

on all the devotees of this world.

In Ganesha purana there is a mention that Ganesha pooja should be 

performed in the mid-day of fourth day in the bright fortnight of the 

Bhaadrapada month. It is said to be the most beneficial and auspicious day.

The significance of Lord Ganesha is that he is adored by all the sects. 

People dis-regarding their sect, worship Vinayaka first at the commencement 

of any ritual or any auspicious celebration. Now-a-days Ganesh Chathurthi 

is celebrated in a grand manner all over the country and also spreading abroad.

So Lord Vinayaka has emerged as an International God. But these days the 

celebrations are just turning into a mere business, losing its bhakthi and

holiness.  The mood of chastity and respect are absent. Devotional songs,

spiritual discourses  and namasankeerthanas along with Ganesha pooja 

mentioned earlier are the perfect way to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi.

ARTICLE Write by

Ravi Shankar, Krishnambal & Ramakrishnan