Content Source : https://www.adityabirlacapital.com/healthinsurance/active-together/2016/12/20/5-foods-for-clear-glowing-skin/

You are what you eat,” this saying is not just applicable to our body’s health; our skin’s health also depends on what we eat. We’re sure you remember your grandma telling you to stay away from oily food when you were suffering from severe acne in your teenage years, or even your mother telling you to take that blood purifier for clearer skin; they were not wrong.

Here Are Various Foods That Help Boost Our Skin’s Health.

1. Dates

High in anti-oxidants and Vitamin A, dates help make our skin glow in a natural and healthy way. Dates also contain Vitamin C which helps in improving skin elasticity which helps battle the problem of sagging skin. Apart from this, they also have anti-aging properties. So if you want to keep those wrinkles and fine lines at bay for as long as possible, start incorporating dates into your diet.

2. Almonds

Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E. Eating a few almonds every day will help you keep your skin soft and supple. Almonds are natural moisturisers too. If you suffer from dry skin, try applying almond paste as a hydrating face pack. You can also massage your skin with almond oil and keep it overnight for moisturised, glowing skin.

3. Green Tea

You may have heard about the benefits of green tea for weight loss and good health, but did you know that this type of tea is also packed with some beauty benefits too? Being rich in antioxidants, green tea helps to prevent ageing and keeps our skin young and glowing. It flushes out toxins from our body and hence cures acne making skin clear and flawless.

Apart from drinking, we can also apply green tea on our skin as a face pack. If you are suffering from under eye dark circles and puffiness, place cold, used green tea bags on your eyelids for 10-15 minutes. Do this every day and you’re sure to see great results.

4. Banana

Easily available throughout the year, this fruit is loaded with nutrients that are essential for your skin. Bananas contain plenty of anti-oxidants and manganese, preventing premature ageing and thus keeps your skin youthful. It also keeps your skin moisturised and prevents dryness.

One can even use mashed banana as a face pack, to moisturise your skin. And yes, it can be used by people with oily and acne-prone skin too, as bananas are helpful in treating acne.
If an apple a day keeps a doctor way, “a banana a day keeps skin problems at bay.”

5. Raisins

This tiny, easily available, low-cost dried fruit is filled with a lot of skin benefits. Eating a few raisins every day can give you youthful, glowing, clear and healthy skin. Raisins contain antioxidants that rejuvenate the skin and prevent damage and sagging. Raisins purify the blood and therefore also keep acne and pimples away.

These are just some of the various foods which are helpful in getting healthier skin. Apart from all these, drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day is essential for healthy skin. Water flushes out impurities and keeps the skin clean and hydrated. Our blogs on nutrition and health will give you more such tips for healthy living so don’t forget to check that out +19.

Content Source : https://crazybakery.in/buy-now/blog/crazy-french-fries-good-for-anytime-snacking/

The French fries may be the finest way to eat potatoes out of all the options. Nothing beats those crunchy fried edges and the deep-fryer fragrance, or the way each individual fry achieves the exact combination of salt and fat. You can never stop at just one, no matter how unhealthy they are. Crazy Bakery, the best bakery in Gorakhpur freshen up your mind with this write up on the all-time favourite snacks.

Is it French Fries or French fry?
Despite the fact that French fries are currently comprised entirely of potatoes, the phrase originally referred to a cooking process rather than a dish. French fries were once known as “French fried potatoes,” referring to potatoes that had been “French fried.” To deep-fry, a meal is to “French fry” it.

Why are they so favourite?
Fries can be dressed up with fancy toppings or swallowed straight from a nasty fast food paper bag. French fries are incredibly addicting and are ideal for practically any occasion: as a side dish at a barbecue, a lunchtime snack, or a late-night wine session.

Those perfectly cooked potatoes aren’t only a staple of American cuisine; they’re enjoyed all across the globe. The British eat thick-cut chips with salt and malt vinegar, the Canadians consume brown gravy-drenched fries, and the Belgians eat mayonnaise-dipped fries.

Whatever condiment you prefer, you’ve probably never given much thought to or learned about one of the world’s most popular cuisines.

Vending Machines for French Fries?
Vending machines may distribute a variety of bizarre items, including a hot dish of crispy French fries, all over the world. Mr. French Fry was the first of its kind, and it premiered in Australia in 1982. In less than a minute, it could prepare and serve French fries. But don’t worry; you can still manually dispense French fries into your mouth.

Favourite amongst Children
French fries are classified as a “vegetable” in the same way that pizza sauce is classified as a “fruit.” Fried potatoes, on the other hand, are the most often ingested vegetable by children aged 2 to 4, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. Although Happy Meals have become healthier, a serving of fries does not provide a child with the same amount of nutrients as a side salad or other option.

They are healthy!
Though you may consider fries to be one of the worst things you can eat, they do have some nutritional benefits. They have all of the vitamins that potatoes have, including vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron, because they are manufactured from potatoes (a vegetable).

Why restaurant fries are crispier?
Why are a restaurant and fast-food French fries so much superior to homemade French fries? One of several possible explanations is that restaurants fried their potatoes multiple times. Restaurants will let the fries cool after the first deep fry before frying them again, sometimes twice. These additional frying results in a fatter, crispier final product.

Conclusion:
Potatoes aren’t all made equal. Some have a higher starch content than others. A starchy potato is the best choice for a fry since it prevents the potato from becoming bitter. Some potato cultivars are the most popular, and they are virtually always used to make the tastiest French fries. Crazy snacks ensure to choose the best potatoes for their French fries.

Along with the French fries, Crazy bakery, the best bakery in Gorakhpur also offers you cashew butter bakery cookies. Crazy Bakery Gorakhpur provides many Bakery products in Gorakhpur. Their Flavoured bar cakes with the latest cake flavours and the best cookies are the most delicious ones that you have ever tasted!

When you’re looking for a diabetes-friendly treat that can help keep your blood sugar within a healthy range, look no farther than the produce drawer of your refrigerator or the fruit basket on your kitchen table.

Believe it or not, the notion that fruit is not safe when you need to watch your A1C is a popular diabetes myth that has been debunked again and again. Indeed, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), many types of fruit are loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber — a powerful nutrient that can help regulate blood sugar levels and decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Fiber — which can also be found in some of the best vegetables for diabetes, and in whole grains — can further benefit your health by promoting feelings of fullness and curbing cravings and overeating, research shows. Healthy weight maintenance can increase your insulin sensitivity and help in your diabetes management.

So, how do you pick the best fruits for diabetes? While some forms of fruit, like juice, can be bad for diabetes, whole fruits like berries, citrus, apricots, and yes, even apples — can be good for your A1C and overall health, fighting inflammation, normalizing your blood pressure, and more.   

But as with any food in your diabetes diet, you have to be smart about counting carbohydrates and tracking what you eat. Portion size is key.

Consume fruit in its whole, natural form, and avoid syrups or any processed fruits with added sugar, which have the tendency to spike your blood sugar. Stick to the produce aisle and the freezer section of your grocery store. If you’re using the glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load — measures of how foods affect your blood sugar levels — to make dietary decisions, most whole fruits are a good choice because they tend to lie low on these rankings.

When you have diabetes, these steps will help you keep your blood sugar within a healthy range, thereby lowering your risk of certain diabetes complications, including neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease, eyesight issues like glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy, and life-threatening illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

The next time you have a hankering for something sweet, consider reaching for one of the following naturally sweet and juicy treats, courtesy of Mother Nature — you can whip it into  diabetes friendly smoothie or keep it simple and throw it into your bag to munch on while you’re on the go.

Diabetes Diet Tips for The Carb Avoider

1

Berries for a Refreshing Treat and Disease-Fighting Antioxidants

Jovo Jovanovic/Stocksy

Whether you love blueberries, strawberries, or any other type of berry, you have the go-ahead to indulge. According to the ADA, berries are a diabetes superfood because they’re packed with antioxidants and fiber. One cup of fresh blueberries has 84 calories and 21 grams (g) of carbohydrates, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you can resist the urge to just pop them into your mouth, try berries in a parfait, alternating layers of fruit with plain nonfat yogurt — it makes a great dessert or breakfast for diabetes.

2

Tart Cherries Help Fight Inflammation

Jovo Jovanovic/Stocksy

One cup of cherries has 52 calories and 12.5 g of carbs, per the USDA, and they may be especially good at fighting inflammation. Tart cherries are also packed with antioxidants, which may help fight heart disease, cancer, and other diseases, notes a review published in March 2018 in Nutrients. These fruits can be purchased fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. But since many canned and dried fruits contain added sugar, which can spike your blood sugar, be sure to check the labels.

3

Sweet, Juicy Peaches for Metabolism-Boosting Potassium

Jeff Wasserman/Stocksy

Fragrant, juicy peaches are a warm-weather treat and can also be included in your diabetes-friendly diet. One medium peach contains 59 calories and 14 g of carbohydrates, according to the USDA. It also has 10 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, which covers 11 percent of your daily value (DV) for that nutrient, and 285 mg of potassium (6 percent of the DV). The fruit is delicious on its own or tossed into iced tea for a fruity twist. When you want an easy diabetes-friendly snack, whip up a quick smoothie by pureeing peach slices with low-fat buttermilk, crushed ice, and a touch of cinnamon or ginger.

Content Source : https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/best-fruits-for-diabetes/

Content Source : https://neighborfoodblog.com/creamiest-mac-and-cheese-recipe/

After years of searching, I finally found the best creamy mac and cheese recipe around. Super cheddary, rich, and easily made on the stove top in under 30 minutes; This is going to be making many more appearances on our family table.

Note: This recipe was updated in 2021 with new photos, tips, and a recipe that’s EVEN MORE CREAMY. However, if you made and loved the original, we’ve still included it as well!

If you’ve got a pulse, I assume you love creamy mac and cheese. The question of ‘Why we love it’ is a real nature vs nurture debate.

The Nature side says that all people are born with an instinctual drive to consume melted cheese, the highest form being (of course) Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese.

While the Nurture side would argue that this love addiction is likely inherited from our parents pushing boxed mac and cheese on us like street peddlers from the time that we could hold a fork. To their credit, we loved every bite.

Experimenting with Homemade Mac and Cheese

For me, boxed mac was the gateway drug that led to years of experimentation. Steps on my journey included:

• Adding different real cheeses to boxed mac (which I still recommend).
• Toying with the ratio of milk, butter, cream, and salt in my own early recipes.
• And while my fellow teens were having a “goth” phase, I was having a “Velveeta” phase.

I’m glad those days are history, because now that we’re grown-ups, we don’t ever have to settle for anything less than the Creamiest Mac and Cheese ever again.

Make Creamy Mac and Cheese Like a Pro

Your loved ones shouldn’t have to settle for less either. At least from you. Because this BBQ/Potluck season, you’re NOT going to be that guy who brings a crock-pot full of easy mac to the gathering.

I’ve done the homework for you on this one; learning about different types of cheese, the construction of the perfect bechamel, and what type of noodle to use. After much debate, I finally decided to try a recipe from the ladies behind Homeroom restaurant, an Oakland, CA eatery devoted entirely to macaroni and cheese.

Content Source : https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/traditions/banana-leaves.php

Traditional way of Eating:

Banana leaves play a vital role in Indian tradition. Whatever functions or gathering it may be, food is served in the wide banana leaves. Especially people of South India use Banana leaves in a higher ratio than the north. There are surplus benefits in eating on the banana leaf.

From time immemorial people of South, use banana leaf to serve and pack food. As plantain tree is grown largely at south, people find it very comfortable and beneficial to use banana leaves. Coming to the banana tree, it is the only tree in the world which is edible and useful from tip to root. Every part of the tree is used for one or the other purpose.

The leaves are used for serving food, flowers are edible and Tamilians make curry out it, fruits are very tasty, unripen fruits are also used for cooking, stem is a great remedy for kidney stones, the bark is used to tie flowers and make garlands, and the roots give birth to a sapling before they become fruitless.

This is the reason why every marriages in South India is adorned with a pair of plantain tree at the threshold of the function hall. Like this plantain tree everyone should lead their life usefully and be helpful to others till their last breath. Most of the houses in Tamilnadu and Kerala have banana trees in their backyard.

Benefits of eating on banana leaf:

The first and foremost reason why banana leaf is used for serving food is because of its wide size and the partition that runs at centre which gives enough space to place variety of foods in a single leaf without mixing with each other. As Indian lunches are diverse and have many courses, only banana leaf can accommodate all courses and it is water proof too, which is very helpful for eating liquid dishes like Sambar, Rasam, curd, and Payasam.

• Tender leaves are flexible and can be folded in any angle.
• These leaves are non-sticky and so it is used for lining steamer trays
• One of the major benefits of this leaf is that they are bio degradable and it won’t be a problem to discard them. Even burning these leaves is not harmful to the atmosphere.
• Tamilians consider it to be an act of respect to serve the guests in banana leaf.
• Eating hot food in this leaf is very healthy and hygienic. While the hot food is served on the leaf, rich nutrients from the leaf is emitted, which infuses with the food and eventually we intake it as we eat the food.
• These leaves are rich in polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is found in green tea.
• Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in many plant based foods. So eating on a plantain tree increases the EGCG level in our body and slows down the process of aging.
• Top of all, the aroma that arises from the leaf when the hot food is laid on it is incredible. Even the ones don’t feel hungry would, find their mouthwatering when the food is served on the plantain leaf.
• Even in USA a journal “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” is conducting an extensive research on how polyphenols affect human cells, the oxidative process and its impact on disease prevention.

Interesting Facts:

There are many rules and hidden meaning in placing the banana leaf. The proper position to lay the leaf is, the edge of the leaf should be to the left side of the consumer and the wide part should be to the right side (if it is a half leaf). In the case of full single leaf ( Thalai valai ilai), which is served to very important and respectable person in the family, the leaf should be laid in the way that the lines in the leaf goes from right to left.

There is a hidden meaning in way of folding the leaf after eating. If the consumer folds the leaf towards him, it means he is satisfied with the food and the respect he has received and he promises that he will attend more functions like this in future. But if he folds the other way (opposite to him) it denotes he is not satisfied with the hospitality he has received and he is not willing to come back again.

So mostly in happy functions like marriages, temple festivals, child naming ceremony and etc, people used to fold the leaves towards themselves, stating that they will come back to merry functions like this in future. In the case of death anniversary or other sorrowful gathering they will fold the leaves in the opposite way, denoting that they feel sad and don’t want to attend sad functions like this in future.

Content Source: https://www.holidify.com/pages/ganesh-chaturthi-mumbai-festival-in-india-2831.html

Mumbai is the city that never sleeps. It is the city of dreams for many. And it is an equally amazing place to celebrate some of the most popular Indian festivities. To talk about festivals, Mumbaikars wait throughout the year for the grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in and around the city. The locals and people from all over the country visit Mumbai during this time, to be a part and get a glimpse of the magnificent festivities. So, here’s our take on Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2020

The festival is celebrated on the fourth day after the new moon of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on  August 22 2020, and will extend over eleven days, with the last day falling on the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi.

Celebrated in the honour of the beloved Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is one of the most important festivals for the Hindus. It mainly involves the worshipping of an idol of Lord Ganesha in a temple or pandal, and at the end of the festival, the idol is immersed in water, in a process known as visarjan.

Though it’s a Hindu festival which is celebrated all over the country, certain areas and regions are more pompous in terms of celebrations. The most extravagant and elaborate ceremonies take place in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, Maharashtra

Though the Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is celebrated with much grandeur in many parts of the country, nothing, however, comes close to the enthusiasm and the grand scale of events that takes place in Mumbai. The festival was initially introduced by the Maratha ruler Shivaji Raje in his days; however, it was the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak who provided the impetus to make this into a public event.

The motive behind this was gathered people of all faiths to unite against the British rule. Serving its purpose, it went on to become one of Mumbai’s grandest festivals celebrated by everyone regardless of their faiths.

The local communities take much pride in organising the event and have healthy competition to outdo one another every year. Numerous communities organise their events across Mumbai on both small and large scales with more than 1, 50,000 Ganesh Visarjan happening each year. But some events surpass even the large scale and have become an institution where every year crores of devotees flock to see the idols.

There are five famous Ganesh Mandals that witness more than a million devotees each day, growing more every year. Thus Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai witnesses the grandest celebration of the elephant deity as compared to any other state or region in India.

Five must-visit places (Pandals) that make the most of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

1. Lalbaugcha Raja (Lalbaug – Central Mumbai) Undoubtedly the most popular Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, if the sheer size of the statue doesn’t astonish you, look at the constant line of devotees that is formed to see the idol up close. Apart from its grandeur, it is also the most revered Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai.

2. Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja (Central Mumbai)
Located near Lalbaugcha Raja, one of the oldest mandals in Mumbai, it lost its popularity to Lalbaughcha Raja in the 1990s however it still manages to pull a respectable number of crowds because of its elaborate themes of replicas of famous places in Mumbai.

3. Khetwadi Ganraj (Grigaim – South Mumbai)
Of all the famous statues, this one is considered to be the most magnificent often decked with gold and diamonds. It’s been credited of hosting the tallest Ganesh idol in the history of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. 

4. GSB Seva Ganesh Mandal (King’s Circle – Central Mumbai)
Famous for the eco-friendly statue made with clay and more than 60 kilograms of gold. The stunning the statue glittering in the festive lights is quite a sight. It is touted to be the richest Ganesh Chaturthi organisers in the city and every year; they showcase Ganesha in the most extravagant manner.

5. Andhericha Raja (Andheri)
This mandal doesn’t have a towering statue like the others; however, it is popularly reputed of fulfilling wishes of the devotees. It attracts a lot of spectators for their unique themes and carnival-like installations.  This more than 50 years old pandal is famous for its celebrity guests. So, in case you wish to get a glimpse of your favourite stars, visit this place to meet and greet them.  

The events are a grand affair in Mumbai, and the streets in and around are jam-packed at any time of the day; even nights are busy with people either lining up to be the first ones to see the idols once the gates open in the morning. If you’re in Mumbai around this time, irrespective of where you are heading to, you’ll run into the celebrations at almost every street of Mumbai.

If not out of religious reasons, visit Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja at least once to see how the entire city comes together to participate in this grand public event of celebrating the stay of Lord Ganesha – rightly believed to be the destroyer of evil and restorer of goodwill.

Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Mumbai

• The beginning of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is marked with bringing home a clay modelled idol of Lord Ganesha or to the elaborately decorated community pandals or tents. With soaring chants and traditional drum beats, the deity arrives at the place which would be his abode for the next 11 days.
• Once the idols are installed in the pandals, a definitive ritual of pranasthapana is done to invoke life into the idols. This is done with some ritualistic chanting of mantras.
• An offering of a variety of sweets, flowers, rice, etc. are made to the deity.
• Modak – a sweet which is believed to be a favourite of the Lord, is a popular sweet that can be found everywhere during this festival.
• The days to be followed are marked with regular morning and evening ceremonies and special events of singing religious songs, traditional dances and chanting prayers.
• For the eleven days of the festival, the idols are offered with different kinds of sweets, flowers, coconut and fruits. Special group dance, prayers and music performances take place throughout these eleven days.

The full moon shines bright, indicating the start of another lunar month of the Hindu calendar. Bhadrapada, the sixth month starting in the end of August, brings with it the exciting and lively Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This is a time of devotion and celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesh, one of the most beloved gods in the Hindu pantheon.

Also known as Ganpati or Vinayaka Chaturthi, the festival starts on the fourth day of the lunar month and is celebrated with gusto over 11 days, ending in a truly magnificent event across most parts of the country and the globe.

How is Ganpati or Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Though the festivities follow a similar basic belief and structure, there is an amazing variety in the celebrations. One common theme is the offering of prayers to idols of Lord Ganpati, with these idols then being immersed in water to honor the Hindu belief that physical bodies turn back into energy in the cosmic cycle of life and death.

Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles

The festival is observed throughout the country in many religious sects, each on a different scale and with its own method. In a country as wide and vivid as India, it’s not really surprising to find everything from a solemn prayer to a truly massive procession filled with music and dancing, accompanying statues varying in size from a few centimeters to over a hundred feet and the chant ‘Ganpati Bappa Moriya’ echoing throughout!

Let’s look at the way people celebrate the festival in major cities:

Celebrations in Mumbai

Mumbai is known as the financial and film capital of India, though if you’ve ever had the opportunity of watching the Ganesh Visarjan in the city, your mind is probably thinking ‘religious capital’ too. While this is definitely debatable, the grand scale of the Ganpati celebrations cannot be argued. The city known for its energy and vibrancy can challenge mass celebrations around the world, with an estimate of over 1,50,000 idols being immersed every year, and people out in such huge numbers it actually makes the other days seem quite calm!

Maharashtra, Goa and Southern cities have some of the largest Ganpati processions

This day unites Mumbaikars and immigrants alike, with the latest trend being a very pleasant focus on keeping it eco-friendly. If you are anywhere near Mumbai or you want to witness one of largest celebrations in the world, make sure you don’t miss this one, especially at the Siddhavinayak Temple, Khetwadi Ganraj Mandal with the 40-foot tall idol, the G.S.B. Seva Mandal, adorned with kilos of real gold, or you could chance the crowds at the most famous one, the Lalbaugcha Raja near Parel.

Festivities in Delhi

Delhi isn’t just the political capital of India, it’s also more-or-less the cultural capital. People from every corner of the country and the world have made this cosmopolitan city their home. Though it wasn’t traditionally observed in most of North India the way it is in Maharashtra, Goa and Southern states, Ganesh Chaturthi is now quite popular in this city and celebrated on quite a large scale.

Bring Lord Ganesh into your home this Ganesh Chaturthi

Perhaps the largest gatherings are to be found at the Sree Vinayak Temple in Sarojini Nagar, though Pandals and Ganesh Mandirs are spread all over the capital. Some communities even gather donations to build their own mandals just for this event. Many houses have idols on display and organize neighborhood prayer ceremonies. The visarjan usually takes place in the Yamuna River, with the trend of using eco-friendly clay or coir idols catching on fast.

Celebrations across the Globe

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by Indians as well as people from other cultures who enjoy the delightful processions and festivities, so in case you’re not in India, don’t think you’re going to miss out on the joyful rituals. Contact the nearest Hindu Mandir in your city and they’ll be able to tell you the ‘how and where’ of the local festivities. Get the community together, make some sumptuous Indian sweets and have a gala time!

                                          Ganesh Temple in Thailand

In the UK there are plenty of venues like the Slough Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple in Hounslow, Darji Mitra Mandal in London and many more. In the USA, there are a lot of Indian communities like the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple and the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Livermore. If you’re in Australia, you could check out the Pennel Reserve Hall in Braybook or the Chinmaya Mission for details. No matter where you are in the world, there’s bound to be a community of Indians which will be celebrating this festival.

Make Ganpati Special for your Loved Ones

If you want to celebrate the Ganpati festival, bring in an idol of Lord Ganesh and offer prayers to him. He is believed to be the remover of obstacles and bringer of prosperity in the Hindu culture, with prayers and sweets offered to him on major auspicious occasions and festivals like Diwali too.

 Ethnic gifts and idols of the lord are popular choices for gifts

It’s also a great time to start new ventures, upgrade your home and delight your family with gifts. Traditional and ethnic clothing are always top favorites, as are coir idols and home decor accessories celebrating everyone’s beloved god.

Content source : https://peachmode.com/blogs/peachmode/ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-across-india-and-the-globe

Content Source: https://tripraja.com/tour-blogs/ganesh-chaturthi-goa-festival-celebration

Ganesh Chaturthi, the biggest Hindu festival of Goa, is a ten-day celebration to honor Lord Ganesha (the elephant-headed deity). This festival was celebrated within the family until Lokmanya Tilak decided that it should be a grand public celebration to put aside the caste system and bridge religious gaps. People from all religions come together to enjoy the festivities.

The birth of Lord Ganesha

Legend has it that Parvati, the mother of Lord Ganesha, created him from the dirt of her body before she went for a bath. She then made him stand guard outside the door and told him not to let anyone enter. Shiva had just returned from his meditation and demanded to enter his home. Ganesha refused to let him near the door. After a brief combat, Shiva severed Ganesha’s head. When Parvati saw her dead son she was furious. Shiva promised her that her son will live again. He returned to the forest and killed the first thing he saw. It was an elephant. He then removed the head of the elephant and placed it on Parvati’s son’s shoulder. He breathed life into the boy and revived him.

The significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

  Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganeshotsav. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad (corresponds with the months of August/ September according to the Gregorian calendar). Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa predates the Kadamba era. During the time of the Inquisition when the Portuguese were ruling, they had banned all Hindu festivals. The Goan Hindus celebrated the festival anyway in the privacy of their homes. The God is always depicted with a plate of modaks by his feet, a lotus in his hand, and his mode of transport, a rat, by his side.

The celebration of Ganesh Festival in Goa

Ganesh Chaturthi is the biggest festival of Goa, and it is celebrated lavishly. Families travel across the country and sometimes the globe to be together at this time of year. The preparations for this festival begin months in advance. The festival begins at home with the purchase and ceremonial installation of a clay murti (statue). Families decorate a room by putting a matoli (a wooden canopy) adorned with flowers, seasonal vegetables and fruits before God is brought home and placed on an altar. The room is brightly lit with fairy lights adding to the cheerful hues of the decorations. Domestic celebrations end with the immersion of the idol after 1½, 5, 7, 9 or 11 days. The height of the idol ranges from ¾ inch right up to 70 feet (for large community celebrations). The ladies of the house prepare modaks (a sweet resembling a dumpling but stuffed with a mixture of coconut and jaggery (molasses)), nevri (also made with coconut), barfi, besan (gram flour) ladoos, and a few traditional savoury dishes. Family and friends gather around to enjoy a meal together that is served on banana leaves (not all houses serve meals like this).

Children Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi People residing in cities go to their ancestral homes to celebrate this wonderful festival with their relatives and friends. They do pujas and sing artis (devotional hymns) together accompanied with Gumot (percussions made from clay with the monitor lizard skin on both sides. This was changed after the monitor lizard was declared as an endangered species. Rexene has become a substitute for the skin of the monitor lizard.) and taal (cymbals).  Some family members get together and make a rangoli (decorative patterns made from coloured dry rice, flour, or flower petals) at the entrance of the house or in the courtyard. Hindu families invite their friends to join in their family celebrations. Children and adults enjoy an array of fireworks.

Rituals conducted during the festival

  There are four main rituals during this festival. Pranapratishhtha – infusing the deity into the murti or clay idol. Shhodashopachara – 16 forms of paying tribute to Lord Ganesha. Uttarpuja – puja after which the idol could be shifted after its infusion. This is an emotional puja. Ganapati Visarjan – the immersion of the idol in a water body (river, sea, lake, well, or pond).

What to see during Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa

  If you walk around the main cities of Goa you will see huge idols placed in significant areas. This is known as Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav. You can also buy lucky tickets and take a chance on a lucky draw where you can win anything from a washing machine to a car. Various competitions for best decorated Ganesh, rangoli competition, and fancy dress competitions are also held during this time. The main highlight is sound and light show depicting the Gods of Hinduism.

Celebration in other parts on India

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration in Mumbai After Goa, our neighboring state of Maharashtra is where the Ganesh festival is celebrated in its grand form. Apart from the traditional celebrations and decorations, witnessing Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in the capital city of Mumbai is a special experience. There are pandaals (shamianas) placed all over this beautiful city. Families get together to worship and participate in Artis. The huge idol in Lalbaug famously known as Lalbagcha Raja is breathtaking and the communities get together to worship this deity. Shreemath Dagduseth Halwai Temple in Pune is dedicated to Lord Ganesh and it is a place of pilgrim. Thousands of worshipers flock there to pay homage to their deity so does Shree Siddivinayak Temple in Mumbai and Dodda Ganapathi Temple in Bangalore, Karnataka. This festival is also celebrated with across Western India in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, and the South Indian states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Ganesh Visarjan – Immersion of the idol

Ganeshji Immersion, Goa This day signifies the end of a beautiful celebration. Family and friends gather together to bid Lord Ganesh an emotional adieu. Aartis are performed just before the immersion. One can see large processions making their way to the beach or river front to immerse the statue. The deity is placed in a pickup truck, speakers blast hymns (nowadays it’s EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and people dance around the vehicle, bursting crackers as they move along. It’s definitely worth experiencing this at least once. The devotion and dedication is admirable. After the immersion prasad and fruits are distributed among the people who are present.

When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2018?

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the 13^th of September.

Some Facts related to Lord Ganesh

• He is known as God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles.
• Each and every Hindu rituals begins with Lord Ganesha’s name.
• He is younger brother to Lord Kartikeya and husband of Ridhhi and Siddhi
• His favourite food is Modak (sweet made of wheat, jaggery and coconut, flower is red Jaswandi or Hibiscus, carrier is Mouse, grass is Durva (3 headed grass).
• His few other names are Vinayak, Gajanan, Ganapati, Gajamukh etc.
• His other holy days are Sankashta Chaturthi, Angarak Chaturthi and Vinayak Chaturthi.
• Famous Epic Mahabharata is written by Lord Ganesha.