How To Perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja 2024 At Home?

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, honoring Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival marks the birth of Ganesha, and devotees bring home clay idols of Lord Ganesha to perform a special puja (ritual worship) that spans over ten days. If you're planning to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at home, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know, from the date and timings to the complete Puja Vidhi (ritual procedure).

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Date and Timings

In 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Saturday, September 7th. The auspicious time or Muhurat for performing the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja begins at 11:09 AM and ends at 01:36 PM, lasting for a total duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes. It's crucial to perform the puja within this time frame to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for prosperity and success.

गणेश चतुर्थी पूजा सामग्री सूची | Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Samagri List

Before beginning the puja, gather the following essential items:

1. Ganesh Idol: A clay idol of Lord Ganesha, preferably eco-friendly.
2. Aasan: A clean cloth or mat for placing the idol.
3. Kalash: A copper or silver pot filled with water, topped with a coconut and mango leaves.
4. Chowki: A small wooden platform to place the idol.
5. Red Cloth: To drape over the chowki or to cover the idol.
6. Flowers: Red flowers, especially hibiscus, are considered auspicious.
7. Durva Grass: Sacred grass that is dear to Lord Ganesha.
8. Modaks: A sweet dumpling that is Lord Ganesha’s favorite offering.
9. Fruits: A variety of fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates.
10. Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.
11. Incense Sticks and Dhoop: To purify the environment.
12. Camphor: For the Aarti.
13. Betel Leaves and Nuts: For offering.
14. Sandalwood Paste: For tilak (a mark made on the idol).
15. Rice: Akshata, colored rice used for the rituals.
16. Coconut: To be placed on the Kalash and also as an offering.
17. Turmeric and Kumkum: For tilak and rituals.
18. Coins: For symbolic offerings.
19. Conch Shell (Shankh): To be blown during the Aarti.

Puja Preparation

1. Clean the Space: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the area where the puja will be performed. It's essential to maintain a clean and pure environment as Lord Ganesha is invited into the home.
2. Decorate the Area: Set up a small altar with the chowki. Place a red cloth over it and arrange the Kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut. Adorn the area with flowers, rangoli (traditional Indian art), and light diyas (lamps).
3. Place the Ganesh Idol: When placing the Ganesh idol, position it on the chowki, ensuring it faces east or north, as these directions are considered auspicious. You can choose from various types of idols depending on your preference. For a traditional and elegant touch, you might opt for a marble Ganesha murti or a brass Ganesha idol. These materials are not only durable but also add a spiritual and aesthetic charm to your puja setup.
4. Arrange the Offerings: Organize all the items you gathered for the puja on a plate. Place the modaks, fruits, and other offerings in front of the idol.
5. Personal Preparation: It’s traditional to take a bath before the puja and wear clean, preferably new clothes. Women typically wear sarees, and men wear dhotis or kurta-pajamas. Sit in a comfortable position, usually on the floor, as it is believed to keep you grounded during the ritual.

गणेश चतुर्थी पूजा विधि | Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Procedure: Step-By-Step Guide

Learn How to Perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at Home with this detailed step-by-step guide, ensuring a spiritually fulfilling celebration.

Step 1: Sankalpa (Vow):

Begin by taking a vow to perform the puja with dedication and devotion. Recite the Sankalpa mantra while holding water in your right hand and pouring it into a plate or a small vessel.

Step 2: Invocation of Lord Ganesha:

Sprinkle some water around the idol to symbolize the purification of the space. Light the incense sticks and dhoop, and offer flowers, Durva grass, and sandalwood paste to the idol.

Step 3: Pran Pratishtha:

This is the ritual of invoking life into the idol. Close your eyes and chant the Pran Pratishtha mantra, requesting Lord Ganesha to reside in the idol for the duration of the festival.

 

Step 4: Shodashopachara (16 Offerings):

This involves offering sixteen traditional items to Lord Ganesha:

• Aasana: Offer the seat (red cloth) for the deity to sit.
• Padyam: Offer water to wash the feet.
• Arghyam: Offer water to cleanse the hands.
• Aachamanam: Offer water for sipping.
• Snanam: Offer water to bathe the idol.
• Vastra: Offer new clothes or a piece of cloth to the deity.
• Upavastra: Offer an additional piece of cloth.
• Gandham: Offer sandalwood paste.
• Pushpam: Offer flowers.
• Dhupam: Light the incense and offer it.
• Deepam: Light the lamp and offer it.
• Naivedyam: Offer food, sweets (especially modaks), and fruits.
• Achamaniyam: Offer water again for sipping.
• Tambulam: Offer betel leaves and nuts.
• Dakshina: Offer coins or any monetary donation.
• Aarti: Perform the Aarti while singing the Aarti song.

Step 5: Naivedyam:

Offer the modaks, fruits, and other sweets to the deity. Chant the Naivedyam mantra and request Lord Ganesha to accept your offerings.

Step 6: Aarti:

Perform the Aarti by lighting camphor on a plate and rotating it in front of the idol in a circular motion while chanting the Ganesha Aarti. This is accompanied by the sound of bells, claps, and blowing of the conch shell.

Step 7: Mantras:

Chant the following Ganesh Mantras during the puja:

• Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada: To remove obstacles.
• Om Gan Ganapataye Namah: A powerful chant to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings.
• Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat: A Gayatri mantra for Lord Ganesha.

Step 8: Pradakshina (Circumambulation):

After the Aarti, perform a pradakshina by circling around the idol three times. This represents the cyclical nature of life and surrender to the deity.

Step 9: Prasadam Distribution:

Conclude the puja by distributing the prasad (offered sweets and fruits) to everyone present. This is considered a divine blessing from Lord Ganesha.

Mantras

During the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja, chanting mantras is essential to invoke the divine energy of Lord Ganesha. Chant these Ganesha Mantra during Ganesh Chaturthi puja ritual

Ganesh Mantra:

Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
Meaning: "Salutations to the remover of obstacles."

Vakratunda Mahakaya Mantra:

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada
Meaning: "O Lord Ganesha of curved trunk and massive form, with the brilliance of a million suns, please remove all obstacles from my endeavors."

Ganesh Gayatri Mantra:

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi | Tanno Danti Prachodayat
Meaning: "We meditate upon the one-tusked Lord, who has a curved trunk. May He bless us with purity of mind and bestow His blessings."

Ganesha Ji Aarti

The Aarti is an essential part of the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. Here is the traditional Ganesh Aarti:

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा |
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ||

एकदंत दयावंत, चार भुजा धारी |
माथे पर तिलक सोहे, मूषक की सवारी ||

हार चढ़े, फूल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा |
लड्डुओं का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा ||

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा |
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ||

अंधे को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया |
बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया ||

सूर श्याम शरण आये, सफल कीजे सेवा |
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ||

दीनन की लाज राखो, शंभू सुत वारी |
कामना को पूर्ण करो, जग बलिहारी ||

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा |
माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा ||

This Aarti encapsulates the essence of devotion and reverence towards Lord Ganesha, marking the conclusion of the puja.

Conclusion

Performing Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at home is a beautiful way to welcome Lord Ganesha into your life and seek his blessings for prosperity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles. By following this comprehensive guide, you can ensure that your puja is conducted with devotion, respect, and adherence to tradition. Remember, the true essence of the puja lies in your faith and dedication, as these are the key elements that invoke the divine presence of Lord Ganesha in your home.