BHAKTI PSALM

" Ganapati bappa morya
Mangal moorti morya "

Such are the slogans that fill the air. The meaning of this slogan is :

"Father Ganapati, come again
Auspicious one, come again."

And amidst the clash of gongs and cymbals, a crowd maddened in the religious fervour chants such slogans. This is the common spectacle in the streets of Bombay and other towns of Maharashtra amidst the Bhadrapad month (Aug-Sept) after the Fourth Day of the bright half.
Although the Fourth Day of the bright half of every lunar month is believed to be the day of Lord Ganesh, the Magh (Jan-Feb.), Bhadrapad (Aug-Sept) and the full moon day of Vaishaakh are held to be the special days for Lord Ganesha's worship.

Lord Ganesh is Mangalmoorti, Vighneshwar and the Ganapati-that is, the Lord is the personification of all that is auspicious, the Lord of all the troubles and the head of all the 'Ganas'. All these days, if observed with full ritual worship and full faith definitely ensure welfare of the devotees and grants their desires-so declare the Shastras or the scriptures. The special days dedicated to Lord Ganesh have their special names and significance, which have been discussed below:

(i) The Varad Chaturthi Day:

According to the Ganesh Purana, this vow or the fast should begin from the Fourth Day of the bright half of the lunar month Shravan (about mid July to mid Aug.). After cleaning oneself by the daily ablutions, the devotee should massage his entire body with the paste made from the til (sesame) and Aanwala 1 powder mixed in a little of water. The process is to rub this paste gently on one's entire body and then allow it to become a little dry. Then peel off the flakes of filth by rubbing it gently by your hand. Having rubbed off the entire paste this way, the devotee should take bath with pure water while concentrating all the time on the auspicious visage of Lord Ganesh.

Then select a clean pious and private spot in your house and erect a beautiful canopy (Mandap). Place a bronze pitcher in the middle after covering it with two clean pieces of red cloth. Then draw a symbol of lotus flower on the body of the pitcher. The flower must be shown having eight petals. The drawing should be made by the paste of saffron or sandalwood. Now keep a wooden pedestal (chauki) there and place an idol of Lord Ganesh made of clay or silver. The bronze-pitcher should be placed upon the ground already littered with the grains of some cereal. Now place a Kushasan or a red carpet before the pitcher and sit on it, concentrating on all the names of Lord Ganesh and chanting them with full devotion. The devotee should say:

Om Ganeshaya namah
Om Dhundhirajaya namah
Om Herambaya namah
Om Vakratundaya namah
Om Shoorpakaranaya namah
Om Vighneshaya namah
Om Gajanananay namah
Om Lambodariiya namah
Om Ekdantiiyah namah
Om Vinayakayah namah
Om Vikatiiya namah
Om Kapilaya namah
Om Ashapoorkaya namah
Om Dhoomraketiive namah
Om Mohavarjitiiya namah
Om Sarvananda-vaskarkaya namah.

The pooja is offered with 'Doorba' (twig of grass) and sandalwood paste by reciting his all names. The use of Tulsi or basil leaves during Ganesh-worship is prohibited. One should always remember that Lord Ganesh's favorite no. is Twenty One (21). Hence offering should be made by 21 things having predominantly white colour or green colour. These offerings could be made by twenty one variety of flowers, fruits or other pious things. The flowers should be offered to the idols with its flowery head up and not upside down. The sindoor or vermilion powder, wetted with a drop of water and having little rice grain, should be applied on the idol's head, forehead; neck, the heart region and while chanting loudly "Om Gananathaya namah"; a mark of the vermilion should be made between the eyes of the idol, just above the nose. The priest (in case the devotee himself cannot perform these functions devotedly) and the devotee should contemplate on the one god who has only one tusk, whose ears are wide like a winnowing basket, who has 'naga' (snake) worn like the sacred thread, and who wields in his hands a snare and a goad or hamulus.

On this day the devotee should keep fast and listen to the glorious doings of the Lord by an able and learned person. On this day observation of total continence, lying on the ground and eating only fruits, 'pedas' (a sweet meat made of milk) and milk are some of the commands ordained by the scriptures. This fast and vow should be continued till the Fourth Day of Bhadrapad Shukla (bright half). On the Fifth day after the ritual worship the idol or 'Yantra' should be immersed in thy pious waters. On the day of the 'Immersion' the young maidens and brahmans should be fed: This vow is especially recommended for anyone desiring to have his some cherished wish fulfilled.