Ganesha and Gauri

Vinayaka was created by goddess Parvati with the little turmeric paste from her body. Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness. The Ganesh Chaturthi falls on fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August - September). To Venerate his birthday and to get his blessings, every year in India, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with full of piety. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days. In some parts of India, it is celebrated for one day on the Ganesh Chaturthi day also.

       

The idols of Gauri, the incarnation of Parvati, are brought usually two days after the outset of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is placed for three days – first day is the arrival (avahana), next day it is worship (Satyanarayan puja), and on the third day Gauri is immersed in water. Arrival of Goddess Gauri in homes is the herald of health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. Two idols of Goddess Gauri are brought home and adored. These two Gauri idols are regarded as sisters of Ganesha. In West Bengal, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati are sisters of Ganesha, and all three are the progenies of goddess Durga. In some places, Laxmi is invited along with Gauri. Some legends suggest that Laxmi and Sarsawati always stay with lord Ganesha in the form his two wives Riddhi and Siddhi. Goddess Laxmi is always worshipped associated with some other gods or goddesses. When no one is associated with Laxmi, then she comes with her twin elder sister Kulaxmi, the goddess of strife. That is what, alone Laxmi is not invited or worshiped. In this festival, Laxmi comes with Gauri.

       

One may wonder about the different relationship and interpretation of Gauri with lord Ganesha. Let us accentuate on the message of this festival. At the time of Ganesha Chaturthi, the earth looks green due to the crops in the field. Gauri is also Annapurna Devi, wears a green sari, reflecting the verdancy covering the earth at this time. Gauri comes with prosperity (Laxmi), so two idols of Gauri, one for Parvati in form of Gauri and another for Laxmi. Parvati has created Vinayaka without lord Shiva intervention; this is the significance of woman's power to create wonders. Gauri in the form of Laxmi and Sarsawati as sisters signifies that, these two sisters follow lord Ganesh, the embodiment of wisdom. Laxmi and Sarsawati cannot stay together without wisdom. Laxmi and Sarsawati are considered the form of his wives, Riddhi and Siddhi. One cannot get Siddhi (Prosperity, Goal achieved) without Riddhi (Knowledge, perseverance).  Riddhi and Siddhi cannot stay together without Ganesha (Wisdom).

       

Gauri is normally followed by Ganesha, and hence their relationship is tied up as of sisters and brother. In the past, the married girls were under draconian family restrictions. At a few occasions, they were allowed to visit their parents’ home. Gauri-Ganapati was such an occasion, when the married girls could see their parents and stay with them. After being worshipped, these idols are immersed in water, a reminder of the cyclical nature of all existence.

        

There could be different legends, different interpretation, and different method of performing worship that might vary from community to community and place to place. The crucial point is not its ritual but its message, devotion and self-realization.