Description
Note: All ceremonies are free to attend.
Contributions are optional, and help cover Temple expenses.
Panditji reads contributors’ names as part of the ceremony.
Learn more about contributions.
10:00 AM
Ganesh Chaturthi Abhishekam and Puja (performed by Panditji)
5:00 PM
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja (sponsor and bring your Ganesh deity to perform the Puja with Panditji)
Lord Ganesh is the master of knowledge and the boon giver (Vara Sidhi). He is the son of Shiva and Parvathi, and has an elephant’s head. He is the Lord of categories and remover of obstacles. He is there to realign us with the divine harmony of Nature. By doing so, obstacles just melt away. Therefore, Lord Ganesh is worshipped first before any kind of worship is begun. No action can be undertaken without Lord Ganesh’s support, grace, or blessing. His feet represent the power of action. He cares for us all and is thusly known as the protector of women and children.
If you want the unstoppable power of the elephant behind you, then you must approach your evolution with utmost humility. Lord Ganesh stands for the macrocosm and microcosm, the notion that man is the image of God. The sacred utterance that represents Ganesh is “Thou art That” (tat tvam asi).
Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi) is the annual festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh. It is celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi or Chavithi), during the Vedic month of Bhadrapada, which falls in mid-August to September.
Lord Ganesh is also called Vinayaka Ganapathi (leader of the sub-gods), and Gajanana (elephant-faced). On Vinayaka Chaturthi day, Lord Gajanana became Ganesh, that is, “Gana” means sub-gods, “ish” means leader. So, he became the leader for the sub-gods on this particular day. People believe that on Ganesh Chaturthi festival day, Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on all his devotees.
At Sri Somesvara, all are invited to bring their statues of Ganesh for the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. Those who sponsor this Puja and bring their Ganesh deity have the opportunity to participate in the 5:30 PM Puja.
