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The
great feast of Ganesa is held on the fourth of September and
on this occasion, Hindus consider it very unlucky to look
at the moon. If by accident, they should get a glimpse of
it, they believe that the only way to avert the anger of the
god of good luck is to induce their neighbours to abuse them.
Ganesa
is the lord of obstacles, their remover, he is the foremost
among the gods, whose worship is the "first of all".
He was born in midday of the fourth of Bhadropad. He is the
god of wisdom, whose mount is a rat. Riddhi and Siddhi are
his two consorts. His favourite oblation is ladoo (Sweet gram
ground fried circular sweet).
On
the day of worship, after purifying the body, an image of
Ganesa in gold, silver or earth (mud) is made. This image
is tied over a new pitch full of water. In the evening, after
applying sindoor (vermilion) on the forehead of the image,
worship is done. The image should face south. An oblation
of 22 ladoos is offered. Keeping five ladoos in front of the
image, rest are distributed to the priest and others. After
oblation, distribution of sweets and aims, the image is immersed
in water. This worship is done to gain knowledge, wisdom,
fame, popularity and to get rid of obstacles in life. The
fast undertaken on this day, ends after worship.
There
are many legends laying stress on the importance of the fast
and the worship. In a game of chess between Siva and Parvati..
Ganesa was made the referee. Although Parvati won every time,
yet Ganesa declared Siva as the Winner. Parvati cursed Ganesa
which was only restored when Naga women performed Ganesa puja.
Ganesa was so dutiful, that when he was posted as a sentry,
at the time of Parvati's bath, he did not allow Siva to enter
and he lost his head because of a hit by Siva's axe. Later
Ganesa's head was restored with the head of an elephant. This
also happened on Bhadropad Shuki fourth, and so the celebration
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