Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated across Nepal with religious rituals and cultural activities, as devotees began visiting Ganesh temples from the early hours of Tuesday to offer prayers and receive blessings. The festival, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, is observed on the fourth day of the bright lunar fortnight of Bhadra. Hindu scriptures regard the day as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh, who is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and traditionally receives the first offering before other deities during religious ceremonies.
Temples dedicated to Ganesh in Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country have seen a steady flow of worshippers. Major temples including Ashok Vinayak, Chandra Vinayak, Suryavinayak, Kamal Vinayak and Kamaladi Ganesh have been particularly active during the festival.
Ganesh Worship Linked to Peace and Prosperity
Lord Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvati, occupies an important place in Hindu religious traditions. Devotees commonly begin religious ceremonies by worshipping him, seeking success and protection from difficulties. Religious scholar Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai said Ganesh worship following the Haritalika (Teej) observance has a special religious significance. According to the tradition, devotees who observe Teej while praying for marital happiness and family well-being worship Ganesh on the following day to seek freedom from obstacles and difficulties. The practice is also mentioned in the Ganesh Purana, which associates the ritual with prayers for happiness, harmony and an obstacle-free life.
Newar Community Observes Chatha Festival
For the Newar community, Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed as Chatha, adding a distinct cultural dimension to the festival. The day is also referred to as Mangal Chaturthi. One of the traditional practices associated with Chatha is distributing Chhusyamusya among children. The celebration reflects the close connection between religious traditions and community-based cultural practices in the Kathmandu Valley. This year’s observance has additional significance as Ganesh Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, coinciding with Mangal Chaturthi.
Religious Discourses and Ganesh Rath Yatra
The National Religious Assembly Nepal has been marking Ganesh Chaturthi through organized programmes since 2008. This year, religious discourses and worship ceremonies are being conducted at various Ganesh temples as part of the celebrations. Assembly Chairman Prof. Dr. Madhav Bhattarai said representatives of the organization are also visiting different Ganesh temples to conduct worship and other religious activities.
The organization has also continued the tradition of the Ganesh Rath Yatra, which it has been organizing since 2008. The chariot procession is normally held on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra. According to the organization, the festival calendar this year places the fifth day on the same date, allowing the Rath Yatra to be held alongside the day’s celebrations. With devotees gathering at temples, traditional Chatha practices continuing in the Newar community and religious programmes taking place at various locations, Ganesh Chaturthi is once again highlighting Nepal’s rich blend of faith, culture and living heritage.
