Namma Naadu Namma Sampradaya!

@Sowmya...had got stuck with something was soo busy.. Preparations are going on..Since we stay in Dubai we have to book Ganesha much in advance, we did tat. How about you.. I would like to share some thoughts about selecting Ganesha hope it will be of some help. This is from Spritual Scientifi Research and Forum for Hindu Awakening and Sanathan Sanstha..

 

Choosing Ganesha Idol for Ganesha Chathurthi:

A few points to ponder while you buy Ganesha Idol:


Anything which is in consonance with the scriptures proves to be ideal and beneficial. According to this rule, if the idol of Shrī Ganēsh is sculpted as per the science behind the idol then the pure spiritual particles of Shrī Ganēsh get attracted towards the idol to a greater extent and those worshipping it are benefited.


Unfortunately today, idols are worshipped in various forms and shapes based on one's liking and imagination without taking into account the science behind the idol. During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthī, the Shrī Ganēsh idol is worshipped on a large scale both, individually and in a collective manner.



1. Idol from china clay or mud:



If you have a custom of bringing new idols for Ganesh Chathruthi every year, it should be made of clay or mud not plaster of paris, wood or any other metal.



There are references in the Purāns(mythological texts) that Ganapati was created from grime. Hence it is appropriate to use a Shrī Ganēsh idol made of mud for ritualistic worship. The pure spiritual particles (pavitraks) of Ganapati get attracted to a greater extent towards an idol made of mud than to that made of plaster of Paris.


The following points shall illustrate how it is improper as well as harmful to make idols from plaster of Paris or from substances other than china clay

Plaster of Paris does not dissolve easily in water and hence the idol floats on water after immersion. Sometimes in cities, the remains of idols which have not dissolved in water for a long period are collected and a bulldozer is run over them to convert them into mud. This amounts to extreme denigration of the Deity. The Deity should be offered the same reverence when immersing it as when it is invoked. Since the idol is not immersed properly, in a way it amounts to dishonouring the Deity. It is beneficial if a hole is kept at a specific point on the rear side of the plaster of Paris idol so that during immersion it gets properly immersed in water within minimal time and dissolves completely.
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• Mixing of the plaster of Paris in water pollutes the river, sea, lake, etc. and can have an adverse effect on the health of living beings.

• Nowadays a wrong trend has set in whereby idols are even made from coconuts, bananas, betulnut, silver, coins, etc. Some of these objects do not dissolve in water after immersion of the idol. The remains of such idols are used for other purposes or as toys by children.

2. Sculpting an idol is superior to using a mould



The Shrī Ganēsh idols are made using a mould so that they can be made available for sale faster, merely keeping a commercial angle. However as far as possible, a readymade mould should not be used. Besides, sculpting the idol generates more spiritual emotion (bhāv) in the sculptor and such an idol is more sāttvik(Sattva predominant).



3. Idols should not be huge



According to the scriptures, the height of the Shrī Ganēsh idol should be limited. The idol should have a maximum height of 1.5 metres because an idol larger than that makes it difficult to perform ritualistic worship.



The custom of keeping a small idol for ritualistic worship and a huge idol for exhibition is absolutely incorrect. Idols of deities cannot be objects of exhibition.



When making huge idols, iron rods, bamboos, etc. are required to be inserted within them for support. It is improper to use such objects in the idols. Besides, if these idols surface above the water source after immersion, some people even break them and sell the iron rods and wooden plates found within.



4.Form of the idol should be according to the science behind the idol



The form of the idol should be such that devotion (bhakti) and spiritual emotion (bhāv) towards the Deity should be awakened instantly on seeing it. The Shrī Ganēsh idol should be made according to the science behind the idol. The trunk of the idol should be curved towards the left. Importance of the idol with a left-sided trunk is elucidated in other article.



5.Idol should be a seated one, not standing



If a guest pays a visit, we offer him a seat and not keep him standing. During Ganesh Chaturthī, we invoke God Ganapati, that is invite Him. One should offer Him a seat and proper hospitality. Harbouring the spiritual emotion (bhāv) that God Ganapati has actually come to visit us. Besides due to the entire weight of the idol resting on the feet, the idol may even break if it is kept in the standing position for ten consecutive days. Hence one should make an idol which is seated on a wooden seat (pat). Idol should be placed on a mount of rice on a plate and after the Immersing the Idol, the same rice to be mixed with the house stock of rice.



6.Colour of the idol

An idol made with natural colour looks more appealing and imparts more Bliss

Detailed post is on my blog: I have copy pasted it for here for the benefit of IL users..

 

@Sumaramesh: Welcome to this blog..Yes please do share your thoughts and tips..
I visited your blog and is very interesting. Me too write blogs on Festivals, Rituals, and Spiritual science behind all acharas from books and scriptures..Do visit it sometime! Look forward for your inputs here..

 

@Vjbunny : Ya missed out to copy my post from my blog dear..later i thought it was too late

 

Okay, hieee to all my friends....Shri Swarna Gowri Vratha preparations ( according our home ) brief barididdini..posting it here...let me know if you have anything else to add...

Shri Swarna Gowri Vratha or Gowri Habba is celebrated on Thrithya (3rd day) of Badrapada Shukla Maasa. On this day, Sumangalis and Kumaris are suggested to take head bath to purify themselves before offering pooja.
Some of the preparations are listed and briefly described below:

1. Thorana: made from Mango leaves are tied to main doors as well as the pooja room.Banana stems are tied across the mantap.

2.Idol for worship :According to the family customs, Arishina Gowri or Mannina Gowri is prepared and placed on a plate filled with Rice along with the clay idol of Gowri(if this custom is followed in homes), Kalasha and Small Ganesha Idol.Gowri pooja is suggested to be performed as early as possible in the morning.


3.Arishina kumkuma Thatte:
Arishina, Kumkuma, Chandra, Bukkihittu, Adike, Karpoora, Mangalarathi bathi, Agarbathi, Hoobathi, 16 Ele's gejjevasthra and hidi.

4.Panchamrutha :
In a plate, arrange in small bowls of Milk, Ghee, Curds, Honey and Sugar

5.Flowers/Garike/Pathre

6.Naivedya : All kinds of fruits, Huggi, Bele obbattu.

7.Poornapala: Cocunuts

8.Madhuparka: On beetal leaves/Villedele a banana is kept.

9.Upayana dhana: On a plate filled with rice, two coconuts are kept on 2 beetal leaves and nuts with dakhshine. Closed with another plate or banana leaf.

10.Turmeric Threads:A thread smeared with arishina and with 16 knots to be prepared for each of the member offering pooja. This thread is knotted with a flower and is kept on 2 beetal leaves and beetal nuts on the right side of Gowri.

After pooja, is offered, this thread is tied by elders of the family on the right wrist of women and girls who have performed pooja.

A fruit with beetal leaves and nuts is given to the hands of the person for whom the thread will be tied and then the thread will be touched on both wrists three times before tying it to the right wrist. Fruit given in the hands shall be placed along with upayanadhana and then given to the Priest or a Brahmin.

11.Deeparathi: Nandadeepa, halagarathi, halagarathi bathi, hoobathi, arathi thatte, 16 deepaarathi is prepared for Gowri.

12.Marada jothe: When we offer prayers to Devis, it is customary to offer Baagina/Marada jothe to Sumangalis.
Below is the list of things to be included in Marada jothe for Swarna Gowri Vratha:

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2. Thogari bele (1/2 or ¼ cup)<O></O>

3. Kadle bele (1/2 or ¼ cup)<O></O>

4. Hesaru bele(1/2 or ¼ cup)<O></O>

5. Uddina bele(1/2 or ¼ cup)<O></O>

6. Godhi or rave(1/2 or ¼ cup)<O></O>

7. Uppu (2-3 Tspsns)<O></O>

8. Bella (1 Achu)<O></O>

9. Arishina, Kumkuma, Chandra
(1 packet or small box of each of the above)<O></O>

10. Bangles (4 or more)<O></O>

11. Bichole (2)<O></O>

12. Karimani (1 bunch)<O></O>

13. Bachanige/comb – 1<O></O>

14. Kannadi/Mirror – 1<O></O>

15. Kappina dabbi – Kajal – 1<O></O>

Beetal leaves(ele), Beetal nut(adike), Dakshine, Thenginakaayi, Blouse piece to be kept along with the Mara.
These days, mostly out side India, since it is difficult to get Marada baagina, we use plastic boxes to keep all of the above. 5 Sets of the same is arranged. This is kept on a wooden plank which is placed over a small rangoli. Normally, it is advised not to keep on the floor directly.


Then marada jothe/baagna is offered to Gowri first and later given to other Sumangalis. When exchanging, Morada jothe is covered by both women/Girls giving and receiving by their saree pallus by saying “Muthaide muthaide Bagina thago, savithri Savithri Bagina Kodu”, it is waved three times across and then it is placed on the ground and fruits with beetal leaves and nuts kept on it is given to the woman first and then marada jothe is opened to show and have to take blessings is seeked from the sumangali.



13.Gowri Visarjane: is done on the same day or 3rd/5thor 7th day after checking on the auspicious day.

And then again punaha pooja is done with arishina, kumkuma, Chandra and flowers to Gowri.

Until the visarjane day, daily poojas - 16 shodasha upachara has to be done. On visarjane day arishina, kukuma is offered to Sumangali/s and served with rice prasadam.

14. Uppakki: After the pooja, Upakki has to be kept for Gowri, for this Two plates are kept in front of Gowri. In another two bowls, rice and rock salt is taken. Both are taken in different hands and kept like a cross(X) and uttered “ Athe Agne irali, Mavana Agne irali, Gandana Agne irali, Swargakke hodaru Savathi Kaata beda” three times and hands are exchanged and put on the empty plates that is kept in front of Gowri.

Sometimes, Thogari bele/Kadale bele is also used in place of Salt. Upakki is kept before eating lunch and to be kept only by married women.

15.Prasada: While Gowri idol is taken for visarjane along with Ganesha idol, a piece of Gejjevasthra is taken as prasadam and tied to mangalasuthra as a blessing from Shri Gowri itself.

16.Vratha Kathe has to be heard

Wish you lots of blessings from Shri Gowri.

If you have any pictures related to this post and would like to showcased, please send me
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