9. Ganesh Chaturthi Worship (Pooja)

The Ganesh Chaturthi worship begins with the bringing of idol of Lord Ganesha in the house.

During auspicious hours of the day (generally one day before Chaturthi) people leave their homes after bathing with a wooden platform. The platform is laid with red cloth. Some unbroken rice (akshant) are kept on the covered platform and the idol of Ganesha is seated on it in the idol selling stall. 

The idol seller is given a charity token (beyond the selling price). The idol is shown lamp and incense sticks. A kumkum Tilak is laid on the forehead of idol. The idol is then covered with red or saffron cloth and carried on extended arms. 

The idol is worshiped with incense sticks and offered paan and betelnut. All these objects are placed in a Pooja thali.

The idol should be carried in a way that the idol and the face each other. The idol (with platform) is taken home and kept covered on a raised platform. The idol seated such that it faces west or east. 

The idol is covered brought covered with a red or saffron cloth. The idol is placed on a makhar in the house (or pandal). 

Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Timings 

Next day during auspicious hours, the cloth is removed from the idol and the worship begans. The most preferred time for Ganesh Pooja is Madthyakala which coincides with the midday. The Rituals are performed during auspicious timings according to Panchang. 

Pooja Rituals

Here is how the rituals are performed -

1. Purna Kumbha Kalasha Sthapana - The ritualistic worship begins with Purna Kumbha Kalasha Sthapana. In this step, a pot (brass or copper or earthen) filled with holy water is placed on a seat of unbroken rice. The water in the pot has piece of betelnut and some rice. The mouth of pot is covered with watery coir coconut.

2. Pranapratishtha - Pranapratishtha means infusing life in the idol. It is done by chanting special mantras. The idol of Ganesha is beautified with crown, garland, sandalwood paste and dress.  

Next day during auspicious time, the idol of Ganesha is invoked. 

On the day of Ganesh Chaurthi, people perform anga Pooja, 21 patra pooja and 16 shhodashopachara pooja to appraise Ganesha. Here is the description of each of these -

Before initiating the pooja, lamp is lit (deepprajwalan) and a vow is taken by the devotees in their respective names. This vow is called Sankalpa.

3. Anga Pooja

4. 21 Patra or Eka Vinshati Pooja

5. Shhodashopachara - It means sixteen ways of worship. For performing this ritual, there are various things which are required and it includes coconut, 21 modaks, betel leaf and betel nut, 21 blades of dhruva grass, incense sticks, sandalwood paste, sindur, camphor, cotton wicks. 

While performing the rituals, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad can be chanted. Along with this Ganesha Stotra from the Narada Purana can be chanted. After chanting the mantras, Ashtottara Shatanamavali or 108 names of Lord Ganesha and the Ganesh Chaturthi Katha are recited to glory and pay salutations to Lord Ganesha.

4. Aarti - Then, at the end of performing all the rituals, Ganesha aarti is recited and is performed by using the earthen lamp (diya) with the cotton wick dipped in pure ghee. This is performed twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. People offer prasad of modaks, laddus, pedas, charnamrit made up honey, curd, ghee, milk and fresh flowers to Lord Ganesha. After all this, people bow in front of the idol of Lord Ganesha and pray for the well being of everyone. They also apologise for any mistake done while performing the rituals.

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What the number 21 signify?

The number 21 signifies the five organs of action, five organs of perception, five vital air (pranas), five elements, and the mind.