Who is Ganapathi? What is Vinayaka Chaturthi?

Ganapathi is the embodiment of Buddhi and Jnana (wisdom). Truth emerges out of wisdom and ultimately leads to Ananda (bliss). This is the teaching of Ganapathi.

Who is Ganapathi? He is the Adhipathi (master) of all ganas, five senses, five elements and five life sheaths. Human body consists of five sheaths - Annamaya (food sheath), Pranamaya (life sheath), Manomaya (mind sheath), Vijnanamaya (wisdom sheath) and Anandamaya (bliss sheath). Man progresses only up to Manomaya. He is unable to go up to the sheaths of wisdom and bliss. One has to take refuge in God in order to reach the state of bliss.

Ganapathi is depicted as having elephant's head as He is very intelligent. Ganapathi is also known as Vinayaka, meaning one without a Nayaka (the master). He is the master of Siddhiand Buddhi. So, one has to pray to Vinayaka in order to acquire Siddhi and Buddhi. You have to make proper use of your intelligence in order to earn the grace of Vinayaka. Shun bad company. Seek good company. Only then will your life be redeemed.

You are under the false impression that today is the birthday of Vinayaka, but He has neither birth nor death. He has neither beginning nor end. He is the eternal witness. All the festivals of Bharat are suffused with deep inner meaning. They are highly sacred. Festivals are not just meant for preparing delicious items and consuming them. They are meant to remind us of Divinity. On festival days, you decorate your houses with buntings of green leaves and also you wear new clothes, discarding the old ones. Likewise, you should give up your old rotten habits and cultivate new and sacred ideas. Never disobey the command of God. If you do so, you will ruin yourself like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu.

What is that you have to offer to Vinayaka on this day of Vinayaka Chathurthi? Today people spend lot of money in offering various fruits to God. All these offerings are made only as a ritual. Ultimately people themselves consume them! No benefit accrues from making these offerings. Pathram, Pushpam, Phalam and Thoyam - these are the four things that you should offer God. Here Pathram (leaf) means body. This body may wither away at any moment. So never develop attachment towards the body, instead offer it to God. Pushpam(flower} means Hridaya, the heart.  This flower will never fade away.  Mind can be compared to Phalam (fruit) and Thoyam stands for tears of joy.  All these four should be offered to God.  This is the offering that God expects.

Hina matsuri (Japan) and Navartri Golu (India)

"Hina Matsuri (usually known as Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. It is also called "Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)" because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. May 5th is "Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)," and this is so called "Boy's Festival." While Children's Day is a national holiday, Hina Matsuri is not.  Most families with girls display "hina- ningyo" (special dolls for Hina Matsuri, see the photo beside) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display. There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things.

Similar to Hina Matsuri, in South India, we celebrate Navarathri to display the arrangement of dolls. On the Navarathri days, kanyas (un-married) girls and Sumangalis (married women) visit the houses of the village.  The resident of the house offers them Manjal (turmeric), Kumkumam and Bhakshanam(Snacks). The visitors are invited to sing before the Kolu.  First three days of Navaraathri are dedicated to Durgaa, next three days to Lakshmi and the final three days to Saraswathi.  In the Vedic way, one can unite them as Veda Maathaa revered as Ilaa, Bharathi and Saraswathi.  In the top most step, the statues (Bommai) of Gods and Goddesses are displayed.  At the bottom most step are Bommai related to the creations of the Lord such as birds, animals et al are displayed.  Homage paid to the entire creations of the Lord and His consort.  In the smaartha tradition, Vinaayaka Bommai is the first one to be placed on the Kolu.  Generally dolls are arranged in steps of odd count i.e. 1,3,5,7,9.