For best prices and early deliveries, WhatsApp us at. 918488070070
Ganesh Stapana [Pooja]
The sacred Ganesh sthapana or Ganesh puja is a prayer carried out according to guidelines mentioned in the Hindu Vedic scriptures. In Haryana, it is one of the most auspicious pujas, marking the beginning of a wedding. The officiating priest performs this puja on the wedding stage or altar called mandap. He completes this puja before starting other wedding rituals like Jaimala, Kanya Daan and Satphere. It is a precursor to the nuptials, invoking blessings from Lord Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles. Usually, the venue of the proposed puja is washed thoroughly. Some families may sprinkle Ganga Jal (holy water) to purify the area before the decorator or wedding planner gets a Mandap constructed on that spot. The wedding Mandap or stage is a colourful canopy with four pillars made of bamboo and decorated with Kalash, fresh flowers, sugarcane, coconuts, rangoli, drapes and lights. For the Ganesh Sthapana puja, the family usually provides a clay or silver idol of Lord Ganesha. The idol is placed on an Aasan, Bajot, or Chowki, a low wooden stool facing the North. The idol is also decorated with a garland of fresh flowers like hibiscus, jasmine, and marigold. The Ganesh puja for the wedding ceremony is held in the presence of the groom and the couple’s parents. The priest begins the puja by chanting the word Om. He continues to chant mantras as Avahan, an invocation or invitation for the deity to come and reside in the idol. He presents the Ganesh idol with Druva grass, coconut, sweets, incense sticks, and a paste made from turmeric powder, kumkum, and sandalwood. Also, betel leaves, rice, puffed rice, honey, ghee, dates, and five varieties of fruits are kept before the idol as an offering. Once the mantras are over, the priest lights a diya (oil lamp), waving it in a circular motion in front of the idol to perform the Aarti. The bride arrives after the Aarti.
Cultural Significance
The Ganesh sthapana ceremony is an age-old ritual rooted deep in ancient Hindu traditions. It symbolises an auspicious start to the wedding rituals. The families of both the groom and the bride pray during this puja, guided and assisted by the pujari (priest). They seek blessings from Lord Ganesha to commence the wedding ceremonies.
In Haryana's wedding, according to Vedic vidhis (customs), Ganesh puja is performed for the bride and groom to remove any challenges and issues that may arise in the couple’s married life. More so, as Lord Ganesha represents prosperity and is the giver of good fortune, he is worshipped at every wedding. Performing a Ganesh puja also promotes tranquillity and positive vibes. Sometimes, this Ganesh puja may be held as a standalone puja, one day before the main wedding.
Fashioning Tradition
In Haryana, the groom wears traditional attire for the Ganesh sthapana. Typically, he is dressed in his wedding attire when he sits for the puja. He may be wearing a modest kurta pyjama, kurta dhoti, or a more majestic sherwani in auspicious yellow or red colour. The groom may also wear a headscarf or turban to cover his head, especially during the puja.
Most guests dress in traditional outfits. Women dress in designer lehengas or long blouses with skirts richly embellished and made from velvet, brocade, or silk. On the other hand, the men typically wear kurta pyjama, dhoti-kurta, or sherwani but not as elaborate as the groom's attire.
Jewellery & Accessories
The groom wears traditional jewellery for Ganesh sthapana. He may wear the Kantha necklace or the holy rudraksha bead mala. Also, silver remains the preferred choice for grooms from many villages in Haryana. While these are more modest, a modern groom may opt for a more elaborate multi-layered Moti mala or Kundan necklace.
Image Credits
Orange City | Youtube | Italian Wedding Designer | Weddingz | Wedding Sutra | Daily Update | ORGDR | Santiago Photography | Italian Wedding Photography | Lin and Jersa | Yeh Hai India | Shutterstock | Ek Dum Desi | Ptaufiq Photography