Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi in 2010 is on Saturday, the 11th of September.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadra, starting on the Shukla Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is celebrated by worshiping Ganesh as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

The festival is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, Chavath in Konkani and as Chathaa in Nepal Bhasa. Although celebrated by Hindu all over the world, the festival is celebrated excessively in Maharashtra, Goa (Biggest festival for Konkani people all over the world) Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Some poster of Ganesh for the festival:

One thought on “Ganesh Chaturthi

  1. Dear Contributors !
    Thanks for your dedication on Ganesh of Hindu God. But, the position of Hindu is very dangerous because the political leaders including Soniya Gandhi is supporting the Christianity. You see- all the party leaders are the agents of RAW and CIA, who are going to destroyed the Hindu and Buddha identities. It is our main problem-how to save Hindu identity and prestige? Indigenous Hindu & Buddha Culture & Traditions of Nepal
    By DIRGHA RAJ PRASAI

    Nepal is the pious Hindu country in the lapse of the Himalayas, which is beautiful, quiet, the birth place of Buddha and origin of Hinduism. Besides being the country of Everest it is equally popular with its diverse cultural values. This is the land where civilization began and is also known as the country of ‘SANGRILA.’ Nepal is as holy place to Hindus & Buddhists, as Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem to Jews and Christians.

    In Bashistha Upanishad regarding the Himabatkhand Nepal, Basistha Rishi quotes ‘Bharatkhande Uttarayane Himalaya Tate Swornabhoomi Sworgabhoomi (There is golden land and heaven in northern part of India. In first verse of Kumar Sambhav, Kaidas (a Chhetri) also said that the land from east to west of Himalayan range is the land of Aryans. Not only Brahmins but other ethnics and castes created ancient Hindu literatures (Bedas, Purans, Upanishads, Shruti, Smriti etc). They all were creators of Brahmanbad. Bhrahmanbad is the source and origin of civilization. Because Nepal has been flooded with knowledge of Bedas, Shruti, Smriti and Yoga, it is considered as origin of human civilization and oldest land of world civilization. In the same land, Gautam Buddha was borne in Shakya dynasty and enlightened the world. The point is that he was not a Brahmin. Swayambhunath that is linked with the story of Manjushree, is also a property of all castes and races of Nepal. It has been said “Bodhisatya Mahasatya: Swayambhu Chai
    tya Namanyamha” (The message of the Buddha is as great as Swayambhu Chatya.) The Hindu & Buddha Civilization has deep and arguably the longest continuous history of existence.

    Nepal, the pious country, is a country sandwiched between China and India. Because of its geo-political situation, Nepal’s sovereignty has always been very sensitive. Nepal is rich culturally and naturally. Our successful foreign policy would be to maintain our culture, traditions and indigenous identities to balance between China and India. Actually, Nepal is a paradise which provides calmness and rejuvenation to the mind. This lovely place is also said as the potpourri of ethnicity and has many cultural landscapes. This land of bio-diversity has so many cultural and religious landmarks that give a soothing experience to everyone. Nepal is a rich and complex mix of different cultures and traditions, melded over thousands of years into a unique whole. For the western traveler there is much that is familiar, and many surprises. Family and religion are of paramount importance, and are constantly reflected throughout the culture. Culture provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in differ
    ent countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. It offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. Nepal moves to a different rhythm than the West.

    Hinduism and Buddhism:
    The religious structure of Nepalese society is formally Hindu; but here and only here the interplay of peoples and their religious traditions has produced a rich fusion of Hindu and Buddhist faiths. It is common for both Hindus and Buddhists to worship at the same shrine, for many gods and saints are cross-over, often known by a different name but holding the same attributes. The original inhabitants of the valley were animists, a tradition which survives in the multitude of spirits, demons, local deities, and stones which receive dutiful worship to this day. Hindu and Buddhist traditions adapted from the pre-existing animist practices and from each other. Indeed, in the medieval period, when both religions’ practice adopted mystical, Tantric traditions, they were almost indistinguishable from each other. Nepal’s History and Religions Nepal is a rich and complex mix of different cultures and traditions, melded over thousands of years into a unique whole. For the western traveler there is much that is familiar
    , and many surprises. Family and religion are of paramount importance, and are constantly reflected throughout the culture. Nepal moves to a different rhythm than the West. The notes here are meant only to tantalize you into visiting this amazing place.

    Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal is the pride of Nepal. It was almost 100 years before unification of Germany (1868), Italy (1868), and the restoration of the Meiji (Japan, 1868) in which America was also under British dependency, that Prithvi Narayan Shah had already unified (1768) 54 small fiefdoms to build a large, expanded and greater Nepal. But after the movement of April 2006 and the party leaders Congress, UML and Maoists came to power they smashed the statue of the great King, contempt and insulted him and called off the birth anniversary of the late king as a day of national unity. Why?

    A country’s existence and prestige can gradually be eroded by finishing off its faith and belief tradition and culture and the creator of nation. If anyone wants the assurance of integrity and lasting peace in this country, one must not be confused about the country’s century’s old customs and religion prestige as well as the builder of nationality and unity.
    Having diverse cohesive communities, Nepal has built up as a nation in a long historical process. Nepal was worthy to be bowed down by Hindus all over the world. This is the highest honor Nepal could receive from the international community. Nepal’s prestige and honor would elevate further if this country is declared as “Hindu and Buddhist” country, instead of a secular state. But, at present why the peaceful country where Lord Buddha was born has become the venue of confrontations? The main causes of the crisis is the abolishing our culture and traditions. Some are going to abolish the creations of Prithbinarayan Shah and to destroy his statute.

    The conspiracy against oriental Baidik Hindu and Buddha’s culture was started almost 200 years ago from India by East India Company where Lord Macaulay was one of
    them who succeed to destroy oriental Hindu identities and culture.
    Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, the western part of Nepal. He definitely went to Gaya, now in India, for enlightenment but never received any citizenship from any part of the present day India. Buddha was born to a Hindu ruler. Buddhism was his creation. Buddhism became a religion because human beings thrive for peace rather than violence. Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there.
    The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature. Lumbinī-Nepal is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautam, who as the Buddha founded the Buddhist tradition. Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka pillar and the Mayadevi temple. The truth, however is that Buddha was born at Lumbini in present Rupandehi district of western Terai region in Nepal. A fact accepted by UNESCO while providing world heritage status to the place.
    Some Communist and anti-nationalists are active to minimize Hinduism and dismiss the existence of Buddha. One of the communist old-leader Mohan Bikram Sing has written that Buddha was burn in Orissa (India) but not in Nepal. (See: Kantipur B.S.2059 Bhadra 19) What is that means? Such antagonistic so-called politicians, some against of Christian are habituated to exploit our national culture, religions and identities. This is the matter of grief for all the nationalists. But, the renowned historian of India and native Orrisan Prof. Karuna Sagar Behera has been quoted as saying “The Buddha was neither born in Orissa nor visited the place during his lifetime”[http://tinyurl.com/yl3jlyv Hindu and Buddhas both are the original assets of Nepal.
    According to Encyclopedia of Religions and Ethics, signs of Hindu religion are even found in the present Islamic country like Iran. A stone scripture of 486 BC found in Iran contains the words Hindu and Hindus. Even an ancient Parsi scripture ‘Shatir’ has lifted a word of Ved Vyas ‘I am a true Hindu born in a Hindu country’. Another Hindu philosopher Manu has taken the area between Bindhya in south India and the Himalayas in the north as Aryabrata, the land of Aryans. Even outside travelers like Megasthaniz and Fai Han have written in their travel memoirs after their visit of the Kingdom of Chandra Gupta Maurya that Hindus have tall figure, long life, healthy, who avoid narcotics, simple, intelligent, truthful, who do not keep witness in transactions, do not lock their houses and there is no theft. So, in the evolutionary process of the world’s civilization, Hindu philosophy is taken as liberal, simple and tolerant. A Nepali Scholar Mr. Dinbandhu Aryal expains –’Hinduism is the sum and substance of the trad
    itional humane cordiality. The African leader Nelson Mandella was impressed from Vedas, legends and Upanishads. He wanted to be converted Hindu for that purpose he wanted to perform penance or provide donation if necessary. He would be gratified and feel fortunate’

    Hinduism is the most liberal and tolerant of religions. How can the oldest and most liberal of religions be thrown away just like that? No religion (and certainly not Hinduism & Buddhism) should be made a political issue. Because of this unique heritage and culture, Nepal has been contributing an ingenuity of resolving its conflicts and differences. Why the culprit leaders of (Congress,UML & Maoists) party didn’t try to understand the sentiments of the people? It is the main duty for all the leaders to care the basic norms and values of the nation. But, by declaring Nepal a secular state & republic, the visionless party leaders have done just that: tried to put together the unmixable, which could be dangerous for the stabilized Nepali society. No one has right to trample believe and conviction of the people rights. A prominent editor of Peoples Review Pushpa Raj Pradhan writes- ‘During the Indra Jatra festival, the Newar community was agitated when they were faced with the budget cut for marking t
    he festival. The Maoist leaders are seen reluctant in preserving our own identity.’

    Our cultural assets are thieving by the some Nepalese culprits and the foreigners since 30 years? Being not the national honesty to our political leaders and administrators, Nepal is becoming poorer & poorer day-by-day in our culture and national existence & spirit. One of the cultural historians G.C.Alpen has written remarkably before 24 years ago in The Rising Nepal – ‘To see well this organized art theft going on daily apparently unhanded, is a painful experience for those of us who do not look at all upon Nepal as an ‘under-developed’, but a highly civilized country, unique in the world as a fascinating focus of culture and religion, a treasure-house of spiritual knowledge and traditions that have survived here, as if a miracle-amidst a spreading world of our and aggressive materialism.’ People in the developed country appreciate the physical beauty of the stolen ancient images from the temple of Nepal at their respective country while the Nepalese old mothers are desperate and breaking out into
    tears. The images which were meticulously carved with precious stone and jewels taking two thousand years were destroyed within the period of recent thirty years. Let there be no such destruction anymore.

    The Hindus have the freedom to pursue their own way of observing the religion. If Nepal is to be declared a secular country, all countries, which call themselves as Christian or Muslim countries should also be declared secular countries. If they want Nepal to become a secular country, then they should also be willing to shun their ‘Cross’ of the Christians, ‘sign of David of the Jews and ‘Kava’ of Muslims. However, it needs to be pondered that even if Nepal was a Hindu Kingdom, its nature was like a secular country as Hindus have never done anything that would harass or trouble other religions. The Hindus and the Buddhists are more than three billions. It is a scared land for more than a billion Hindus and Buddhists. So, it is our request not to exercise in ineffectiveness. In the name of transforming the country into ‘New Nepal’ this is not the way to destroy our culture and traditions. If Hinduism & Buddhism will destroy, it will be easy to establish-Christianity in Nepal. Then all the identities w
    ill finish.
    A prominent journalist Pushparaj Pradhan, editor-People’s Review, writes- ‘Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is spending 57 billion rupees per years under the ‘ Small Grant Project’. Out of total FM radios, 50 percent of them are receiving such Indians grants. Similarly, some Christian missions have also funded those FM radios just to broadcast Christian programmes. India wants the Indianization of Nepal and the Christians want to transform Nepal from a Hindu state to a Christian state. A famous researcher, Yogi Narahari Nath always used to say that Nepal is giving everything to India, from its fresh air to herbs, fresh water, indigenous production working manpower, etc and Nepal is getting nothing from India. The Indian wish is to bring all the political parties in the Indian fold. The Indian mission was fulfilled by the seven parties plus Maoists alliance with the direct support of India-from human resources to financial resources. Christians too became successful to declare Nepal a secular state.’-5 Aug.2010.

    The grand design of India also is to destroy all the Nepalese identity and sovereignty because Soniya Gandi, her son, sister-in-law, brother-in law and her whole family are Christians. Sandhya Jain writes-‘Sonia Gandhi’s Christian lobby and Nepali Maoists have become hotbeds of Christian activities, Sandhya Jain in the Daily Pioneer newspaper rightly said: “While second-in-command Baburam Bhattarai and his family are openly Christian, Prachanda does not proclaim his religious affiliations but his wife’s entire family is Christian. His guru, Chandra Pradesh Gajurel, was a Christian preacher. Sources estimate that the 42,000-strong Maoist army would be 30 per cent Christian, but the cadre is kept in the dark that the top leadership is predominantly Christian.” The question is, how did Nepal’s news media miss this undoubtedly a big story?http://www.dailypioneer.com
    Thu, 06 Sep 2007

    And Congress I and RAW are joining their hands with the Nepalese Christian Maoists. It is a matter of grief that the political leaders are not feeling the naked foreign intervention. So, it is very necessary that all the nationalists including King should stand to save the identity and sovereignty of this pious land- NEPAL

    What were pitfalls of the Constitution of 1990? Why was it suspended
    without reason? What kind of new constitution they require? These are
    the causes of crisis in Nepal. Nepalese democratic exercise faced the
    black period in between 2005-2010. During the period, the Nepalese people
    tolerated the worst political practice made by corrupt leaders. Nepalese people feel ashamed of so called leaders who are giving slogans to built New Nepal. The culprit leaders are trying to make the people fool. The power mongers, opportunists, corrupt, ethics-less, kidnappers and killers are now the advocators of the constitution. The democratic powers like USA, European Union, UNO and others are not sounding against the undemocratic attitude in Nepal. ‘A dog’s tail in a barrel always crooked.’

    The so-called three big parties, the Maoists, NC and UMLs are fighting only for Power & Money.The nation’s future seems dark because they have walked as directed by unseen force beckons without studying Nepal’s geographical reality and sensitivity. It was these corrupt people who drained the state coffer yesterday, and today also these are the very ones. Nepal will not become firm without punishing them. Nepali NC, UML and Maoist leaderships and the agreement 24 April 2006 with the King has already failed. Among the parties, the Maoist is a revolutionary force and the Maoist also should understand the historical fact to end their political confusion.

    In Nepal’s context, for 240 years the Shah dynasty did not allow Nepal to disintegrate. Even in difficult situations, the dynasty preserved national dignity. Even when anti-national elements made India close the borders, they brought food and oil for the people through the ships. The dynasty that never bowed down to foreign influence bowed down to the people. But the Nepalese people still have not recognized the true value of the institution. So, there should reinstate the Nepalese beloved monarchy, according to the 1990 constitution, and form all party cabinet The king needs to form an inclusive cabinet under the leadership of either the Maoist chairman Prachanda (being a controversial leader) or former chief justice and find a solution on that backing. From that a path should be searched with Everyone’s agreement to save the nation.
    ‘OM’ is a symbol of Vedic Knowledge. Hindus, Buddhist’s Mantra. It provides a fine example of Symbolism. Symbolism is needed in all fields of human knowledge like science, religion and politics. Spoken sounds of words are expressed as Alphabets and Numbers with Symbols by writing. ‘OM’ and ‘OM Mani Padme Hum’ is a language of Sanskrit. It is universe. So, we should have to think independently and have to come to our own conclusion. Nepalese nationalism has evolved and been consolidated more through social and cultural exchanges than conflicts. Nepalese monarchy has been offering balance role among the miscellaneous communities, castes and religions. So, to keep intact our sovereignty, indigenous cultural assets there should have to reinstate our monarchy.
    Email: dirgharajprasai@gmail.com

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