Today, July 28, 2025, Monday, is considered an extremely auspicious day as it is Vinayak Chaturthi of the Shravan month. This day is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and on this occasion, devotees across the country observe the fast, worship, and listen to or recite the Vrat Katha (fasting narrative) of Vinayak Chaturthi with complete rituals. It is believed that any devotee who observes this fast with a sincere heart and listens to the story has all his wishes fulfilled, and the obstacles in his life are removed.
Importance of Vinayak Chaturthi
Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi Tithi (fourth day) of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) every month, but the Vinayak Chaturthi of the Shravan month is considered especially auspicious and fruitful. By worshiping Lord Ganapati on this day, hindrances, sufferings, diseases, debts, and poverty are removed. Devotees take a bath in the morning, take a pledge to fast, and fast throughout the day. In the evening, the idol of Ganapati is worshiped, and the Katha is recited.
Mythological Tale: An Old Woman and Bappa's Divine Play
According to mythological beliefs, once upon a time, there was a poor old woman who used to make an idol of Lord Ganesha out of clay every day and worship it. But the clay idol would melt every time, which saddened the old woman greatly. One day, she thought that if she had a stone Ganesh idol, she could worship it every day.
One day, the old woman went to the site of a new house being built for a wealthy man in her village and began pleading with the masons working there, "Son, please make a small stone Ganesh for me so that I can worship it every day."
The masons said, "Mother, we don't have that much time. In the time it would take to make your Ganesh, we could build a wall instead. The wealthy man's work will be delayed."
Upon this, the old woman said emotionally, "May Ram make your wall crooked!" And as soon as she said this, the masons' wall actually became crooked. No matter how many times they rebuilt it, the wall would collapse every time.
The Wealthy Man Understands the Miracle of Ganesh Ji
In the evening, when the wealthy man came to his construction site and saw that the wall had not been built in a day, he asked the masons for the reason. The masons told him everything about how an old woman had come and because of her curse-like words, the wall was not being built.
The wealthy man was stung by this. He immediately summoned the old woman and, apologizing, said, "Mother, we will now have a Ganesh idol made of gold for you; please make our wall right."
The old woman meditated on Lord Ganesha in her mind and said, "O Bappa, just as this wall became crooked by my plea, now make everything right."
As soon as she said this, the wall began to be built correctly, and the construction work was completed easily. The wealthy man, according to his promise, gave the old woman a beautiful Ganesh made of gold. That old woman served and worshiped that idol day and night.
Devotees' Wishes Are Fulfilled
The essence of this story is that Lord Ganesha always listens to his true devotee. The Lord recognized the devotion in the heart of a poor old woman and performed a miracle for her. The wealthy man also realized that Ganapati Bappa does not only look at wealth or grandeur, but also values feeling and devotion.
Even today, by observing the fast and reciting this story, all the obstacles of life are removed. People who keep the fast listen to this story with reverence and, in the end, pray to Bappa to grant happiness and peace in their lives.
Ganapati is Worshipped in Every Home
On the day of Vinayak Chaturthi, people take a bath in the morning and take a pledge to fast. Ganesh idols made of clay, brass, or marble are installed in homes. Durva grass, ladoos, modaks, incense, lamps, and flowers are offered to the Lord. The story of the fast is heard, and aarti is sung.
Those who observe the fast fast throughout the day and break the fast by worshiping Lord Ganesha in the evening. Many people also visit Ganesh temples on this day for special worship and offer items dear to Ganapati.
Festive Atmosphere in Villages and Cities
Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm not only in homes but also in villages and cities. Temples are specially decorated, and devotees stand in long queues for darshan. Tableaus are decorated in some places, while bhajans, kirtans, and cultural programs are also organized in many places.
Special Grace is Obtained from Reciting the Katha
It is said that by listening to the story of Vinayak Chaturthi with a sincere heart and understanding its importance, the path to wisdom, prosperity, and success opens up in life. Ganesha is called Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles), and whoever worships him, all his obstacles are removed.
