"Tat Purushaaya Vidmahe
Vakratundaaya Dheemahi
Tanno Dhanti Prachodayaat"
Through this mantra they ask for blessings of knowledge, wisdom and pray that no obstacles come their way. They also believe that chanting this mantra before starting any new work, expedition etc is auspicious.
On the day of Ganesha Chaturthi, people organize an elaborate Puja as per what they can afford. Usually, the Pujas are organized at a community level. Big Ganesha idols are out for public display in decorated tents. Priest clad in red dhoti and shawl, perform the rituals for prayers. This is followed by the ritual of Shhodashopachara, which consists of honoring Lord Ganesha in sixteen different ways. Jaggery, red flower petals, coconut, twenty one Modak, twenty one Durva blades etc are offered to Lord Ganesha. In order to invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings, the priest chant mantras from holy books like Rig Veda, Ganpati Atharva, Ganpati Strota etc. |
