விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி
The birthday of Lord Vinayagar (Ganesha), remover of obstacles; clay figures are worshipped and given to water.
Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Vinayagar (Ganesha), the elephant-headed remover of obstacles and god of beginnings. It falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Aavani (August–September).
Clay figures of Ganesha are made and worshipped at home and in public pandals, offered his favourite modakam sweets, and after the days of prayer carried in procession and immersed in water — a reminder of the cycle of creation and return.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Vinayagar Chaturthi?
It is the birthday of Lord Vinayagar, also called Ganesha. He has an elephant head and removes obstacles. He is the god of new beginnings.
When is Vinayagar Chaturthi?
It falls in the Tamil month Aavani, in August or September. It is on the fourth day of the growing moon.
Why do people celebrate it?
People pray to Ganesha before they start anything new. They ask him to clear the way. The day honours his birth.
How is it celebrated?
People make clay figures of Ganesha and pray to them. They offer his favourite sweet, modakam. Later the figures are carried out and placed in water.