Ganesh Chaturthi 2023; Here are five offerings devotees make to Lord Ganesha and Why ?

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most auspicious festivity of the Hindu calendar. On the onset of Autumn, it is basically celebrated as the birth anniversary of the god. To be more specific Ganesha is the Elephant headed deity and a son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to be the remover of obstacles. On this special day, all the devotees comes hand in hand to worship the god and thus makes numerous offerings of food and essentials for bringing good fortune in life. This year, the marvelous festival is being celebrated on Tuesday, 19 September, 2023. As we mentioned about the offerings, let's see the list of most essential offerings devotees usually make to Lord Ganesha. 

Modak

Modak is a dessert, a sweet dumpling which is said to be Ganesh's favorite delicacy. It is prepared in variant forms all throughout the country, making it's outer layer with rice flour or wheat dough and the inner feelings mostly consists of grated jaggery or coconut, depending on what one prefers for. The inner filling is filled with oozing flavors and aromas embedded with saffron, cardamom and other varying spices. Religiously, the round shape of the Modak is believed to resemble the belly of Ganesha which also holds the prowess of devotees love and respect for him. 

Laddu

Another famous dessert /sweet that is offered to the god is 'Laddu'. The round balls made up of gram flour, ghee and sugar, it often conceptualized as a common form of prasad, first to the god and then later served to the devotees. It basically stands for the sweetness of life and offering the same to Ganesha is believe to bring in joy as well as prosperity in one's life.

Coconut

Coconut is often regarded as the most commonly offered essential to god's during puja's in Hindu religion. The fruit stand for purity, essence and prosperity. It is offered by breaking it whole on the ground which signifies breaking one's ego and vain in front of the lord while seeking spiritual growth to nourish lives. 

Durva Grass

Durva Grass is a form of grass that Lord Ganesha was very much fond of! Hence, it hold's a special place while worshipping the lord. The holy grass has three blades on it's end which showcases the trinity of the universe, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The grass hence holds the power of seeking purification for the mistakes one has omitted intentionally or unintentionally during the Puja. 

Banana's 

Another fruit that is counted as an offering essential to Ganesha are Banana's. Banana's are often regarded as the symbol of one's simplicity and humility. The fruit hence resembles the devotees truest intentions of reaching to the deity. The humbleness of one's heart should not exceed the power of the universe after-all.  

- PTC PUNJABI