Ganpati Bappa Morya is a popular chant that is use during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. It is a way for devotees to express their love and devotion to Lord Ganesha, and to ask for his blessings for the coming year.
This phrase is a powerful expression of faith and devotion.
It is a reminder of the importance of Lord Ganesha in our lives, and of the blessings that he can bestow upon us.
Ganpati refers to Lord Ganesha, who is widely known as the Elephant-headed God and is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Bappa is an affectionate term for a father or deity.
In this context, it is an endearing term use to refer to Lord Ganesha.
Morya is a way of expressing joy, devotion, and reverence towards Lord Ganesha.
It is same as to saying Hail Lord Ganesha or Praise Lord Ganesha.
Morya has Two Possible Meanings
It is a Marathi word that means great king or great leader.
This is how the devotees of Lord Ganesha address him, expressing their reverence and respect.
It is also a means of the words “mhor” and “ya”, which mean “come forward” and “come” respectively.
In this sense, Morya is a plea to Lord Ganesha to come and bless them.
In addition to the literal meaning of the word “Morya”, it also has a deeper significance.
It is a reminder that Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and the bestower of good fortune.
When we chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, we are asking him to remove the obstacles in our path and to bless us with success and prosperity.
Rules to Bring and Place Lord Ganesha at Home
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha.
As it is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India, especially in the state of Maharashtra.
This year it will be be celebrate from 19th September 2023 to 28th September 2023.
Bringing and placing Lord Ganesha at home is a sacre act that should be done with care and respect.
The arrival of Lord Ganesha marks the beginning of auspicious celebrations of the 10-day festival.
This journey begins with meticulous preparations like selecting an auspicious day and time, creating a pristine space, and procuring the idol.
The moment of invitation, laden with prayers and mantras, ushers in an air of anticipation and reverence.
Families, whether through grand processions or quiet moments of reflection, embark on a spiritual voyage, culminating in the placement of the idol on a beautifully adorn altar.
Daily worship rituals, offerings of sweet modaks, and the warm glow of lamps continue the sacred connection.
Choose an Auspicious Time
Consult a Hindu calendar or a priest to select an auspicious day and time for bringing Lord Ganesha home.
This time is often refer to as the “muhurat” and is consider important for starting the festivities.
Prepare the Space
Clean the area where you intend to place the idol.
Make sure it’s tidy and free from clutter.
Set up a special altar or platform which is usually made of wood or metal for the idol’s placement.
Decorate it with fresh flowers, rangoli and other ornaments.
Obtain the Idol
Purchase or prepare a Ganesh idol.
You can choose from various sizes and materials, but eco-friendly clay idols are encourage to minimize environmental impact.
Before bringing the idol home, it is essential to perform a “pranapratishtha” ritual, which involves invoking the deity into the idol.
This can be done by a priest or a knowledgeable family member.
Invitation and Procession
On the chosen day and time, invite Lord Ganesha to your home with devotion and a pure heart.
Chant prayers and mantras while welcoming Him.
Some families organize a procession to bring the idol home, accompanied by music and dance.
Others carry it inside the house with reverence.
Place the idol on the prepared altar or platform.
Ensure it faces east or north, which are consider auspicious directions.
Offer flowers, incense, and lamps to the deity.
Light a lamp or diya as a symbol of His divine presence.
Perform daily puja (worship) to Lord Ganesha
This includes offering fresh flowers, modaks, fruits, incense, and other items.
Recite prayers, mantras, and bhajans (devotional songs) dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
It’s customary to offer naivedya to Lord Ganesha.
Modaks and laddus are often His favorite sweets.
Light the lamp (deep) during morning and evening aarti (ritual of waving a lit lamp).
Maintain a sense of devotion and purity in your heart and actions while worshiping Lord Ganesha.
Seek His blessings for the well-being of your family, the removal of obstacles, and success in your endeavors.
On the last day of the festival or as per your tradition, immerse the idol in a natural water body (river, sea, or lake) with a grand procession.
This symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s return to his heavenly abode.
Use eco-friendly materials for decorations and offerings to minimize environmental impact, especially during immersion.
Why We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrate to honour and worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, knowledge, and obstacles.
There are many reasons why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated
Birth of Lord Ganesha
The primary reason for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha.
As per Hindu mythology, Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati, and he was brought to life on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada.
So, this day is observe as Ganesh Chaturthi.
God of Wisdom and Knowledge
Lord Ganesha is rever as the God of wisdom and intellect.
People seek his blessings to attain wisdom, knowledge, and success in their endeavors, particularly at the start of new ventures, examinations, and important life events.
Remover of Obstacles
Ganesha is also known as “Vighnaharta” or the Remover of Obstacles.
Devotees believe that worshiping him can help overcome obstacles and challenges in life, ensuring a smoother path to success.
Unity and Community Bonding
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrate with great enthusiasm and as a community event in many parts of India, particularly in Maharashtra.
It brings people together to build and worship Ganesha idols in public pandals, fostering a sense of unity and social bonding.
Cultural Significance
This festival has cultural significance and is an integral part of Indian tradition.
It involves various customs, rituals, music, dance, and art forms that reflect the rich cultural heritage of India.
Environmental Awareness
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on celebrating eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi.
Many people have start using clay idols and minimizing the use of harmful materials like plaster of Paris to reduce the environmental impact of the festival.
Religious Devotion
For many devotees, Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of intense religious devotion.
They offer prayers, perform aarti, and make offerings to Lord Ganesha with a deep sense of reverence and faith.
