The Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner, and this year we have some unique ideas to help you celebrate in style! Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed god who is known as the remover of obstacles. He is widely worshipped throughout India and other parts of the world. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on 31st August. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate this special day, read on for our 7 top ideas!
1. Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by Holding a Puja
One popular way to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi is by holding a puja, or prayer ceremony. This involves reciting mantras and offering flowers and other items to Lord Ganesha. Many people also fast on this day, as it is considered auspicious. Another common tradition is to make sweets and savories at home, as Ganesh is known to have a sweet tooth!
2. Visit A Ganesh Pandal/ Temple
One of the most unique ways to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi is by visiting a Ganesh pandal, or temple. These are usually set up in public spaces such as parks and community halls. Here, you can see beautiful statues of Lord Ganesha and take part in special puja ceremonies. Many Ganesh pandals also have stalls selling traditional Indian snacks and drinks.
3. Make Ganesha Statue at Home
If you’re looking for a more low-key way to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, why not try making your own Ganesh statue at home? This is a great activity for kids and adults alike. You can use clay, paper mache or even recycled materials to create your Ganesh. Once you’ve made your statue, you can decorate it with paint, glitter or anything else you like or you can also buy Ganesha idol online.
4. By Playing Games
Another fun way to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi is by playing games. There are many traditional Indian games that are perfect for this occasion, such as snakes and ladders, carrom, and kabaddi. If you’re feeling creative, you could even make up your own Ganesh-themed game!
5. Cook Traditional India Dishes
For a more cultural Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, why not try cooking some traditional Indian dishes? There are many delicious recipes to choose from, such as modak (sweet dumplings), puran poli (sweet flatbread), and chana dal halwa (a type of pudding). You can also make savoury dishes such as sabudana khichdi (a type of rice dish) and vada pav (a popular street food).
6. Traditional Dance
If you want to get active on Ganesh Chaturthi, why not try some traditional dances? There are many different styles of Indian dance, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi. You can also learn some Ganesh-themed Bollywood dance moves!
7. Make Donations to Charities
Ganesh Chaturthi is also a time for giving thanks to Lord Ganesha for all the blessings in our lives. Many people make donations to charities or give money to the poor on this day.
Conclusion
No matter how you choose to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, we hope you have a fun and memorable day. Ganpati Bappa Morya! (This is a popular Ganesh Chaturthi slogan which means “Lord Ganesha, please come again next year!”)
Do you have any other unique Ganesh Chaturthi celebration ideas? Share them with us in the comments below!
