Ganesh Chaturthi – Learning About The Festival From Grandmother |By 9 year old Aadya from Kolkata
Today is Ganesh Chaturthi! 9 year old Aadya Kheria, a Bookosmian from Kolkata had no idea why her grandmother was singing shlokas to the god. Let’s read on to find out what happens next!
I saw my grandmother sitting in front of Lord Ganesha and singing a shloka. She chanted-
“Om Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadi Sevitam
Kapittha Jambuu phalasaara bhakshitam
Umaasutam Shoka Vinaasha kaaranam
Namaami Vighneshwara paada pankajam.”
I asked her why she was singing this shloka.
She said, “Oh! Dear Child, don’t you know that today is Ganesh Chaturthi?”
I then questioned, “Grandma, what is Ganesh Chaturthi, why is it celebrated?”
She explained that Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated because it marks the birth of Lord Ganesha whom we worship before we start anything new.
Later that day all of us in the family sat around a small idol of the lord and offered him Durva(blades of grass), red hibiscus flowers, turmeric, khoi and his most favourite laddoos or modaks that my grandmother made at home.
