Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Ganapati Sthapana Vidhi

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Today is the first day of the 10-day Ganapati festival. Ganesh Chaturthi happens to be the fourth and the most important day of the whole celebration. This festival is a grand affair in most places of India. In regions like Maharashtra and Karnataka, Ganesh Chturthi is one of the major festivals which is celebrated very ritualistically and with great enthusiasm.

Most people usually bring home the idol of Ganapati only on the day of Chaturthi. But the festival actually begins on the first day or Prathama of the Bhadrapada month. The Ganapati idol should be ideally brought home on this day and kept at a suitable place for the next 9 days. The act of installing the idol at a suitable place in the home is known as sthapana and there are a few rituals or vidhi which have to be observed during the process of sthapana. The puja ends only on the tenth day which is known as Anant Chaturdashi.

The rituals of the Ganapati sthapana are not very difficult to follow. You just have to be ready with a few things before you start the Ganesh Chaturthi puja at home. Take a look at the Ganapati sthapana vidhi at home. There are sixteen steps to do the Ganesh Chaturthi puja at home. Whether you conduct the puja on first day or on the Chaturthi, these rituals are to be followed.

Idol Or Moorti Sthapana

Lord Ganesha is said to be born on Shukla Chaturthi at 1PM. Therefore the moorti sthapana or the idol must be placed between 12.30 PM to 1PM. The idol must be placed where you can see it most of the times in a day. Clean the place properly and cover it with a clean cloth (preferably red cloth). Spread a little amount of rice on the cloth and place the Ganesha idol on it.

Deep Prajwalan & Sankalpa

Lighting of the lamp (deep prajwalan) and taking a vow (sankalpa) are two rituals which have to be done as soon as you place the idol. This includes ligting a lamp in front of the idol and taking a vow that you will complete the rituals and worship Lord Ganesha with full faith and devotion.

Avahana

Avahana involves invoking the Lord through prayers and inviting Him to your home. This is to be done only when you bring in a new idol of Ganesha. If you have an idol already installed at home then this step can be skipped.

Pratishthapan

It refers to the installing of the idol and inviting the God to come and reside in it. This is also done only for newly installed idols. Recite the mantra,
Vakratund Mahakaay Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kurume Dev Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada

Asan Samarpan

This involves offering a seat to Lord Ganesha at your home.

Ardhya Samarpan

This involves offering scented and purified water to Lord Ganesha.

Aachaman

This is a cleansing ritual done before the puja. You have to take a small amount of water into your mouth in order to clean it before uttering the mantras.

Snan

Then you have to bathe the idol with the following items: Panchamrit, milk, ghee, curd, honey, jaggery, scented water and finally clear water.

Vastra Samarpan

It refers to offering of clothes to the Lord.

Yogyopavit Samarpan

In this step you have to dedicate yourself completely to the Lord along with your sins that you have committed.

Gandha

It refers to offering of fragrance to Lord Ganesha.

Akshata

Then you have to offer broken rice to the Lord for prosperity.

Pushpa Mala

Then offer flower garlands to the Lord. His favourite flowers like hibiscus, conch flower etc. can be offered.

Dhoop

This involves offering incense to Ganesha.

Naivedya Nivedanam

In this step you have to offer food items which are favourite of Lord Ganesha.

Tambula Arpana

In this step you have to offer paan or betel leaves to the Lord along with coconut and money.

Neeranjan/Aarti

Finally, you have to complete the puja by performing the aarti.