Ganesh Chaturthi 2015: The Best Time to Perform Pooja
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major Hindu festivals that is celebrated as grandly in Maharashtra as Durga Pooja is in West Bengal and Chhath Pooja in Bihar and Jharkhand.
Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, this festival in honour of Lord Ganesha is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. The dates for the festival usually fall between August and September every year and lasts upto 10 days. Pooja (worship) of Lord Ganesha is performed during Madhyahna (midday) because the God is believed to be born at that time of the day.
While we look at a day as comprising 24 hours, as per Hindu mythology an entire day between sunrise and sunset is divided into five parts; Pratah Kala (early morning), Sangava (early in the day), Madhyahna (midday), Aparahna (afternoon) and Sayan Kal (evening). Ganpati Sthapana and Ganpati Pooja are done during midday because Vedic astrology suggests that Madhyahna is the most appropriate time for for it.