Ganesh Chaturthi is the day we celebrate Ganeshji’s birthday. Ganeshji, the god with with Elephant head is the first god we pray to. He is often called Vighnaharta, Lambodaraye, Vinayak, Ganadhankshya, Siddhidhata, Omkara and many more names.
Each of these names signify his unique qualities and there are many fascinating stories about Ganeshji that you will thoroughly enjoy reading and telling your kids too!
Story 1 for Ganesh Chaturthi
How Ganeshji got his Elephant Head
One day, Parvatiji made a sculpture with sandalwood and gave it life. She called him her son Ganesh and entrusted him with the responsibility of guarding the house while she went in for a bath. She instructed Ganesh, to not allow anyone in the house till she is not out from her bath. Meanwhile, Shivji came home and tried to enter the house. Ganeshji, being an obedient child refused to let Shivji in and Shivji cut off the Ganeshji’s head.
He was unaware that Parvatiji created him as their son. Parvatiji was furious and asked him to find the first baby’s head he sees and fix it on their son. Shivji immediately went looking and found an elephant baby. That elephant head was then fixed on Ganeshji to bring him back to life. That’s how Ganeshji got his Elephant Head on a human body!
Story 2 for Ganesh Chaturthi
How Ganeshji got the boon of immortality and the blessing to always be prayed to first!
Once there was a race between Ganesh and his elder brother Karthikeya. They were asked to take a round of the world and come back. While Karthikeya went around the world, Ganeshji quickly took a round of his parents and said that my parents mean the world to me. This impressed Shivji & Parvatiji so much that they blessed him with knowledge and immortality and a boon that he will always be prayed to first.
Story 3 for Ganesh Chaturthi
When Shivji had to pray to Ganeshji for his blessings in a battle.
Once Ganeshji came back to life after getting his elephant head, Parvatiji made it a rule that before any new endeavour, it was necessary to worship Ganeshji and get his blessings. However, Shivaji did not realise that this is true for him as well. Once Shivji was heading out to war with the demons and went to take his entire army along with him for it. But in the rush he forgot to worship Ganeshji. They started to face problems before reaching the battlefield. The war-carriage wheel was damaged on the way to the battle and they had to stop.
This came as a reminder to Shivji and he suddenly remembered that he had totally forgotten to worship Ganesha before heading for battle. He stopped his troops and proceeded to set up the puja then and there and completed the rituals worshipping Ganesha. With Ganesha’s blessings, Shiva proceeded ahead and he and his army were successful in defeating the demons completely.
Story 4 for Ganesh Chaturthi
Vishnuji and the story of the missing conch!
Vishnuji had a conch with him that he kept with himself at all times. One day, he noticed that the conch was missing and he couldn’t find it. So he put together all his powers to look for it. While the search was on, Vishnuji suddenly heard the conch at a distance. Upon following he realised the sound was coming from Kailash Parvat. He reached the mountain, to find out that the conch had been taken by Ganeshji and he was busy blowing it.
Knowing that Lord Ganesha will not listen easily, he asked Shivji to convince Ganeshji to return it. Shivji also gave up and said I have no power over Ganesha’s wishes. He suggested that the only way he may listen is if you perform a puja for him. Finally, Vishnuji gave in and made the necessary arrangements for a puja. It was only once Vishnuji prayed to him, Ganeshji was pleased and agreed to return his special conch to him.
Quick Trivia About Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi
1.He is the Son of Parvatiji and Shivji.
2.He is known for his big head and intelligence. He removes all obstacles with his intelligence.
3.His Vaahan or Vehicle is the Mooshika or a mouse.
4.He is always prayed to first among all other gods.
5.He loves sweets and his favourite food is Modak and Laddoo.
6.He is prayed to for good luck, prosperity and at the time of new ventures.
7.It usually comes in the month Bhadra of the Hindu calendar, falls in August or September
8.Ganesh Chathurthi Festival lasts upto 10 days. On first day, devotees bring home an Idol of Ganesha and pray to him and offer sweets. On the 10th day, the Visarjan happens where the Idol is carried to a water body with music, dance and celebration and then immersed in water.
Things you can do with your kids on Ganesh Chaturthi
1.Tell them stories of Ganeshji.
2.Mould a play dough Ganeshji.
3.Make some simple Ladoos together.
4.Visit a Pandal nearby and show them a puja.
5.Decorate your home mandir and Ganesha with flowers
Ganesh Shlokas that can be recited on Ganesh Chaturthi
Shloka 1
गजाननं भूतगणादि सेवितं कपित्थ जम्बूफलसार भक्षितम्
उमासुतं शोक विनाशकारणं नमामि विघ्नेश्वर पादपङ्कजम्
Gajananam Bhuta Ganadhi Sevitam Kapittha Jambu Palasara Bhaksitam |
Uma Sutam Shoka Vinasha Karanam Namami Vignesvara Pada Pankajam ||
Meaning
I Salute the one who has an Elephant Face, Who is Served by the Celestial Attendants or Followers and Others, Who Eats the Core of Kapittha and Jambu Fruits, Who is the Son of Devi Parvati and the Cause of Destruction of Sorrows, I Prostrate at the Lotus-Feet of Ganesh – the remover of obstacles.
Shloka 2
वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ,
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा।
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha,
Nirvighnam Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada
Meaning
Curved trunk, huge body physique, great genius like millions of suns, please make all my work free of hindrance or obstacles, always.
Chant Ganesha Shlokas with children and explain their meanings. Tell them we chant this shloka always before starting a new task. Ganesha’s guidance always makes things obstacle and hindrance free!
Make them familiar with some amazing things to observations about Ganesha. How he travels everywhere on his mooshika, his favorite sweet, why we always pray to him first, who are the parents of Ganesh Ji and many more.
There are many more things kids can learn from Ganesha like – respect for parents, duty over everything, equality, forgiveness and what not!
Let’s teach them something simple and yet fun, stories. It’s important for kids to stay connected to their cultural roots and festivals are a great way to begin with.
Hope you enjoyed reading this blog. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Follow spectra_mom for more posts on parenting and kids!