Ganesha Chathurthi
This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
What is Ganesha Chathurthi?
Ganesha is easily recognized because of this unique head.
What is an elephant head?
Ganesha is the son of these two Hindu deities.
Who are Shiva and Parvati?
Ganesha once circled around this pair instead of the world, showing devotion and winning a race against his brother.
Who are his parents, Shiva and Parvati?
Before beginning new ventures, prayers are often offered to Ganesha because he is known as the remover of these.
What are obstacles?
Ganesh Chaturthi is usually celebrated during this Hindu month, which falls in August or September.
What is Bhadrapada?
Ganesha’s large ears and small mouth symbolize these qualities important for wisdom.
What is listen more and talk less?
This god, known as the commander of the gods’ armies, is Ganesha’s brother.
Who is Kartikeya? (Murugan or Subramaya Swami)
Ganesha’s elephant head came after this happened to his original human head.
What is it was cut off by Shiva?
During Ganesh Chaturthi, this ritual involving chanting and offering flowers and lamps is commonly performed.
What is an aarti?
At the end of Ganesh Chaturthi, idols of Ganesha are immersed into this, symbolizing his return to Mount Kailash.
What is water? (a river, sea, or lake)
His broken tusk is said to represent sacrifice and was also used to write this great epic.
What is the Mahabharata?
Ganesha’s mount or vahana is this small animal. (Bonus points for saying its name)
What is a mouse named Mooshika?
According to legend, Ganesha wrote down the Mahabharata as it was dictated by this sage.
Who is Vyasa?
This plant’s leaves are considered very sacred to Ganesha and are often offered in worship.
What is the durva (or Bermuda) grass?
The large public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi were popularized in the 19th century by this Indian freedom fighter.
Who is Bala Gangadhar Tilak?
Ganesha’s large belly is often said to symbolize this ability, representing peace and acceptance.
What is the ability to digest all of life's experiences?
According to some legends, Ganesha’s wives are Siddhi and Buddhi, who represent these two qualities.
What are spiritual power and intellect?
Ganesha was created by Parvati from this substance before being given life.
What is turmeric (or sandalwood) paste?
A traditional puja to Ganesha usually begins by invoking him with this Sanskrit chant meaning “Salutations to Lord Ganesha.”
What is "Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah"?
In Maharashtra, this sweet dumpling, said to be Ganesha’s favorite, is traditionally offered during the festival.
What is Modak?
The position of Ganesha’s trunk can symbolize different energies; when it curves to the left it represents this gentle path.
What is the path of devotion?
This mountain is considered the divine home of Ganesha and his family.
What is Mount Kailash?
In the story of Kubera’s feast, Ganesha’s hunger could only be satisfied by this simple food offered by Shiva.
What is a handful of roasted rice with love and kindness?
In South India, clay Ganesha idols are often made without these additions, so they dissolve completely in water without harming the environment.
What are chemical paints?