Written by: Akshika Jangid
Modaks, Dhol Tasha played by organised troupes called Pathaks, beautiful fragrance of flowers and crowds of devotees immersed in the celebration chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya!”…… This highly energetic sound that we are currently surrounded by, brings joy to all of us.
This cheerful environment is filled with a rare, contagious positivity, all echo the same palette of abundance and auspiciousness. It’s the faith in Lord Ganesha that brings everyone together in unity. Regardless of this, you don’t have to be a hardcore believer to appreciate moments like this as you will automatically become part of the vibrant aura the festival has.
Overview of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival in Hinduism that celebrates Lord Ganesh as a deity, the god of prosperity, wisdom, and removal of obstacles (Vignaharta). It begins on the fourth day of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar. This festival has become a grand public spectacle ever since the time of the Maratha ruler Shivaji, who used this period of devotion to encourage people to come together and to incite nationalist sentiments among his subjects to fight the Mughals.
While there are many stories associated with this 10-day festival that explain Ganesha’s origins—ranging from Parvati forming him from an out of the piece cloth or from the dirt of her body. However, as per this myth, Ganesha is a child of Goddess Parvati alone despite Shiva intervening that an inauspicious planet Saturn (Shani) revolves around him, which results in him cutting an elephant’s tusk and placing it on the child. According to religious traditions, Ganesha may be depicted as celibate, yet we consider him to be married to Buddhi (Intelligence), Siddhi (Success), and Riddhi (Prosperity).
Debunking the Birth Myth of Ganesh Chaturthi
As we often come across on the internet, Ganesh Chaturthi is said to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. But what if I told you that our religious scriptures, or Granth, say otherwise? Indeed, while Ganesh Chaturthi is widely believed to be the time of Lord Ganesha’s birth, a deeper dive reveals a different story.
Contrary to popular belief, Ganesh Chaturthi does not mark the birth of Lord Ganesha; that occasion is actually Ganpati Jayanti (also called Maghi Ganpati), celebrated in the Magh month (January-February). Ganpati Jayanti commemorates the actual birthday of Lord Ganesha, born to Shiva and Parvati.
While chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ numerous times whenever I crossed cheerful crowds of people taking their beloved Ganpati home, or when I visited pandals—which are elaborately decorated public shrines—I paused and wondered: Where does the word ‘Morya’ come from? It turns out that ‘Morya’ is not only derived from the Marathi phrase ‘Mhor ya,’ meaning ‘to come forward’ or ‘to lead on,’ but it also refers to the 14th-17th century Ganpatya Saint Morya Gosavi. It is used in context to Lord Ganesha as a ‘Great King’ or ‘Great Leader’ to show him respect and reverence by his devotees.
The story begins in a village in Maharashtra called Moregaon, where Ganpatya sects evolved, and among them was a renowned saint—none other than Morya Gosavi. He was one of the favorite devotees of Lord Ganesha as it was Morya who popularised the worship of the elephant headed god in the region. Morya Gosavi’s deep devotion and austerities moved Lord Ganesha so profoundly that one day, the deity decided to visit his devotees from the Ganpatya sects. So he travelled all the way from his celestial abode at Kailash to their village. Lord Ganesh wanted to inform the Saint that after his death, whenever his name will be taken, Ganesha’s name will also be taken along with it. And that is why we call ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and this was the boon given to Morya Gosavi.
After meeting the people of the community and spending 10 cherished days with them, Lord Ganesha forged such a deep bond with his devotees that Maa Parvati herself had to come to take him back to his home.
The Festival’s True Essence: Arrival Over Birth
Inspired by the Ganpatya sect’s tradition. People also started celebrating this by welcoming Lord Ganesha into their homes to bless their lives every year with even more anticipation. At the festival’s close, the beloved ritual of Gauri Puja is done that honors Maa Parvati with gratitude and reverence. This is followed by bidding a heartfelt farewell to both Ganesha and his mother as their idol is gently immersed into sacred waters, symbolizing a temporary goodbye until the next auspicious arrival.
Beyond Cultural and Spiritual Significance
This beautiful distinction reveals the profound cultural and spiritual layers of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is not merely a celebration but a vibrant expression of devotion, marked by intricately decorated pandals (public shrines), fervent prayers, cultural festivities, and lively processions, all culminating in the immersive ritual of visarjan.
Beyond its religious significance, Ganesh Chaturthi evolved into a powerful symbol of unity during India’s freedom movement, championed by visionary leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, who transformed it into a public celebration that fostered communal harmony and national pride when the British banned political events and rallies.
A grand tapestry of mythology, devotion, culture, and history
There is yet another captivating myth connected to Lord Ganesha signifying that the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi is his role as the divine scribe who penned the epic Mahabharata. This monumental task was to be accomplished in just ten days—mirroring the ten-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. According to mythological scriptures, the great sage Ved Vyas chose Lord Ganesha to write down the vast and complex narration of the Mahabharata as he recited it.
Ganesha accepted the challenge but made one condition: Vyasa had to recite without pause, and he would transcribe instantly, highlighting his wisdom, focus, and divine endurance. Deeply inspired by this story, this particular episode holds a great significance to the devotees which makes them connect it to the broader symbolism of Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi.
As Ved Vyas narrated, Lord Ganesh carved the intricate saga into being— resulting in his tusk breaking during the process, symbolizing sacrifice and determination. By the tenth day, the arduous task covered Ganesha in dust and exhaustion until the goddess Saraswati’s sacred waters refreshed the tireless scribe. This story beautifully embodies the themes of knowledge, perseverance, and divine grace woven throughout Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Mythological facts, like these, include people as active participants—they talk to gods, perform rituals, and see themselves as part of a living story about how the world began and why their actions matter. In contrast, modern science tells a creation story about a huge event billions of years ago, where people are just another result with no special role and no clues for finding purpose. Scientific stories explain what happened, but don’t involve us directly—they make us observers, not players.
Connection to Lord Ganpati’s Story
The tale of Ved Vyas and Ganesh shows how ancient stories put people at the center, acting with purpose, making sacrifices, and receiving wisdom from the gods. Each year, Ganesh Chaturthi reminds us of these themes—how effort, knowledge, and divine grace bring growth and new beginnings to our lives. Unlike modern science, which leaves human meaning out, creation myths like Ganesh’s inspire us to see life as a meaningful drama where everyone has a part to play.
While we witness Ganpati Bappa’s festive arrival each year, we are reminded also of his eternal role as the author of our story, inspiring prosperity, new beginnings, and growth in our own lives.
Embracing Myth to Revive Festival’s True Essence
These tales—from Ganpati Bappa’s visit to Moregaon and Lord Ganesha’s legendary role in transcribing Mahabharata—may be considered mythology, yet they hold profound cultural and spiritual significance. Myths serve as vessels carrying timeless truths, moral values, and collective memory. They invite us beyond literal interpretations and encourage us to embrace the festival’s deeper meaning.
Ganesh Chaturthi is far more than a mere birth celebration; it is a jubilant homage to Ganesha’s manifestation among devotees, his embodiment of wisdom and removal of obstacles, and the spirit of unity and renewal that the festival fosters. By revisiting these stories and honoring their legacy, we keep alive the vibrant devotion and cultural heritage that define Ganesh Chaturthi’s true essence.
