Til Chaturthi: Please Lord Ganesha for a successful life!

Til Chaturthi: Please Lord Ganesha for a successful life!

Til Chaturthi, also known as Varad Chaturthi is an auspicious day to Lord Ganesha. The festival is celebrated in a grand way in Maharashtra and many devotees in rest of India observe a fast on this day. According to the Hindu Calendar, Til Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha. Next year the festival is on 31 Jan (Tuesday), 2017.

Important activities of this day includes people applying til or sesame paste on their bodies and take a bath. Various food items made from til are also distributed on the day.History behind the celebrationAs a legend narrated by Nandi to the Sanatkumara sages, god Krishna was charged with stealing as he saw the moon on Magha shukla chaturthi - which was prohibited. He observed fast on this day and got rid of the accusation of stealing.The CelebrationDevotees begin their day with a sacred bath with water mixed with sesame seeds. A conical form of Gnaesha is then made using cowdung or turmeric and sindoor (vermilion) powder.

Later on, Ganesha is worshipped in a traditional way with ‘shodashopacharpooja’ and a fast is observed during the daytime.The Prasad (sweet) that is prepared during the day is consumed to break the fast in the night.ImportancePeople observe fast on this day for their successful life. The image of Ganesha is immersed in water on the fourth day after the festival.Visiting Siddhivinayaka temple on this day is considered auspicious.

ByDailybhaskar.com