Ganesha Chaturthi Festival An Ayuvedic perspective

Ganapati festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada. In this period of 10 days starting from 4^th day of Shukla paksha of Bhadrapada, Parthiva (earth element dominant or originating form prthvi or soil) Ganesha idols are worshipped. Lord Ganesha is worshipped in a specific manner. Ganapati is offered certain flowers, leaves and prasadam. Everything offered to lord Ganesha has some significance and health benefits attached to it. Ayurveda’s viewpoint on all such aspects of worship of Lord Ganesha will be discussed here.

The time of the year

Ganesha festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada as per Hindu calendar. This month is a second month of Varsha Rtu (rainy season) [see Rutucharya]. This is the time of the year when usually sufficient rainfall has already happened and further the period is going to come when the rains will reduce and the weather will start heating up. This transformation of season from rain to heat begins in this month (and is at its peak in the month of October which is known as October heat). Therefore, the internal body environment will start changing now. The dampness, moisture and darkness of the heavy rains gradually reduces and the sunshine reappears. The periods of rains and heat will alternate. According to Ayurveda, in such situations, due to these changes in external environment, body heat will start increasing. Thus one should adopt a routine and diet which is suitable for rainy season but will not further aggravate the heat element in body. Rather, in a step by step manner, one should start including diet and lifestyle activities that will have soothing effect on body mind and senses. While describing Rtucharya, Ayurveda acharyas have clearly mentioned that in Rtusandhi kala (i.e. a transition period between 2 rtus) one should gradually start adopting the diet & lifestyle suitable for upcoming rtu while partially continuing the diet & lifestyle of the previous rtu but in a stepwise manner. Thus in this period of Bhadrapada one should start adopting the regime appropriate for upcoming heat of ashwin and Kartika masa comprising Sharada rtu (October heat period). Sharada is the period of natural aggravation of Pitta (body heat). Thus the offerings done in Ganesha festival to lord Ganesha symbolize and indicate the appropriate diet & lifestyle that need to adopted next.

The Prasadam

Modak

Modaks are Lord Ganesha’s favorite food. Traditionally in Maharashtra, as per the geographical regions the covering of the modaks changes from either rice flour to wheat flour but the inside filling remains the same! And this is the real magic ingredient in modak. Although now a days lot of fancy modaks made up of khowa, milk fats and other sweet ingredients are available in the market, only traditional stuffed modaks can bring you the health in this season. The stuffing of traditional modaks is made up of gud (jaggery) and grated coconut. Both these ingredients have some specific effect on body which is desirable in this season. Let’s have a look at it.

• Grated fresh Coconut: It is nourishing and at the same time soothing. It pacifies excess heat, burning sensation in body. It is moisturizing and hydrating as well. According to Ayurveda it helps to reduce the excess heat in your blood. But at the same time it can cause little bit of constipation, bloating and difficulty in passing stools and urine.

Therefore, to get the benefits of coconut and at the same time to reduce its possible adverse effects it is combined with gud.

• Gud : Gud or jaggery must be preferably the old one and properly clarified or processed organically.

Such gud although sweet does not increase phlegm. And most importantly it facilitates easy passage of stools and urine giving a post voiding satisfaction.

Therefore, when gud and freshly grated coconut are combined to make a uniform stuffing it makes a perfect combination that will be healthy and delicious at the same time. Poppy seeds are added to this stuffing giving it an interesting twist. Poppy seeds are nourishing and act as tonic. Their inclusion adds to the nutritive value of Modaks.

Usually the well-cooked modaks are topped with pure cow ghee while serving. The cow ghee on modaks further enhances its pitta pacifying and hydrating properties.

Laddoos

The other type of Prasada which is also lord Ganesha’s favourite is laddoos. The laddoos are usually churma laddoo, coconut laddoo or besan laddoos. The ingredients of the laddu are also almost similar to modaks but since the tradition of offering laddoos is prevalent in Northen part of India where the season might be little cold and the staple food wheat, the rice flour is invariable replaced by wheat flour or besan. These are the food grains that are necessary in cold regions since they are little heavy to digest than rice but at the same time strengthening and nourishing.

Other offerings in Pujanam

The other offerings that we make to Lord Ganesha in puja invariably include Durva (a type of grass) and various types of herbs’ leaves known as Patri. Also flowers like flowers like Hibiscus & lotus are offered to lord Ganesha. All of these things procured from the nature have medicinal properties and specifically they are cooling in nature or improve the digestive and metabolic strength. These also act as blood purifiers by reducing the excess body heat. The herbs offered are usually abundantly available in nature at this time. 

Herbs' leaves or Patri

The medicinal properties of all these offerings are listed here.

No.	Offering patri / Herb that is offered	Botanical name	Properties
1)	Durva	Cynodon dactylon	Durva reduces pitta as well as kapha both of which are aggravated at the beginning of October heat. It is soothing and reduces burning sensation, excessive thirst, boils and skin rash. It is used to treat blood and sking reated disorders.
2)	Shami	Prosopis cineraria	Considered as one of the auspicious plant. Shows deworming and purgative activity.
3)	Bilva	Aegle marmelos	Bilva is also known as Shriphala i.e. auspicious fruit. It strengthens the weakened digestive function.
4)	Bhringaraja	Eclipta prostrata	Bhringaraja exhibits multifaceted activity. It promotes health of hair, skin and teeth. It shows rasayana (immunomodulatory) activity and helps in treating various respiratory, gut and skin diseases.
5)	Badara	Ziziphus jujube	Ber is chiefly known to us for its tasty tangy fruits. IT has got many varieties across the nation. However, in general the properties remain the same. It is included in the medicines that are used to reduce fatigue, tiredness, excess thirst and burning sensation owing to its cooling and hydrating nature. IT is strengthening in nature.
6)	Datura	Datura metel	Dhatura is commonly recognized as a poisonous plant. However, Ayurveda has used it as a wonderful medicine by incorporating appropriate  methods to process it and administer it in right dose, time and method. Used in appropriate manner Dhatura acts miraculously in breathlessness issues. It is also useful in lice problem, worm infestation, skin diseases, wounds and itching. It could be intoxicating if used in wrong manner.
7)	Tulasi	Ocimum sanctum	There are opinions about whether tulasi plant should be offered to Ganapati or not. A legend in Ganesha purana talks about the fight between tulasi and Ganesha and thus it is said that tulasi should not be offered to lord ganesha but in one opinion there is an exception for this on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi of Bhadrapada Ganesha festival. There could be a scientific reason to not offering Tulasi to Ganesha. Ayurveda says that Tulasi increases body heat and burning sensation. Thus lord ganesha who is offered cooling and soothing substances or herbs should not be offered this herb of opposite qualities. Despite all this, tulasi plant which is considered auspicious is offered in puja because of its cleansing nature and power to protect human beings from evil forces.
8)	Sem / Shimbi	Phaseolus vulgaris
9)	Apamarga	Achyranthus aspera	This herb is widely used in medicinal formulations for improving digestive health in Ayurveda.
10)	Tej	Cinnamon tamala	One of the commonly used spices in cooking. IT has got tremendous therapeutic potential. Helpful in nausea, anorexia, cold and cough.
11)	Agastya	Sesbania grandiflora	This herb helps in treating recurrent fevers and cold.
12)	Karaveera	Nerium indicum	Karaveera is also known for its toxicity. However, after processing appropriately it acts like a medicine. It is used in medicinal formulations used for external and internal use also. Helpful in skin diseases, wounds etc
13)	Kadali	Musa acuminata	Coolant in nature. Helps overcome heat, burning sensation, excess thirst and blood impurities.
14)	Arjuna	Terminalia arjuna	It is one of the most popular cardiotonic herb. IT is cooling in nature and helps reduce excess pitta and kapha doshas.
15)	Devdar	Cedrus deodara	Plant grows in sold regions or Himalayan range. The oil obtained from it is used as a fragrance and lao has medicinal value. It helps to treat bloating, gaseous distension of stomach, blood disorders and ailments of post-delivery period in women.
16)	Marwa	Origanum majorana	It is also one of the popular fragrant plants used in religious occasions. IT pacifies all 3 doshas and reduces heat, burning sensation, excess thirst, skin ailments etc.
17)	Kanchanara	Phanera variegata	IT is cooling in nature. Helps reduce kapha and pitta doshas, excess bleeding and skin diseases. Used in medicinal formulations prepared to treat tumourous growth in body.
18)	Ketaki	Pandanus odoratissimus	Popularly known as Kewada. The fragrance is added to abhyanga oils. Internal use if said to be beneficial for health of eyes. Also used for treatment of headache, rheumatism, spasm, cold/flu, epilepsy, wounds, boils, scabies, leucoderma, ulcers.
19)	Kantakari	Solanum virginianum	Kantakari is a very useful Ayurvedic herb, used widely in the treatment of cough, cold, asthma and such other respiratory tract conditions. Also helpful in treating male and female infertility conditions.
20)	Malati	Jasminum grandiflorum	The plant is known for its fragrant flowers. Its leaves are of medicinal value. Helpful in stopping the bleeding and wound healing. When used internally it helps in treating the diseases of head, eyes, oral cavity and teeth.
21)	Arka	Calotropis procera	It is widely occurring plant in India and popularly known as Mandara or Arka (Giant milkweed). It can show poisonous effects if consumed in accidentally or in an inappropriate way. In Ayurveda flowers, leaves, milk coming from the plant and the entire plant is used in preparation of medicinal formulation or for external use. It improves metabolism, acts as a purgative and useful in conditions like ascites, abdominal colic etc. Should be consumed under expert medical supervision only

Flowers offered to Lord Ganesha

2 flowers that are specifically offered to lord Ganesha are Hibiscus and lotus.

No	Flower	Medicinal value
1)	Hibiscus	Hibiscus is a common garden plant. The flowers are available in abundance in most of the seasons. It is known as Japa in Samskrit. According to Ayurveda the plant is coolant, bitter in taste and helps reduce toxicities, heat and kapha dosha. It is popularly used to treat hair and scalp related disorders.
2)	Lotus	Various varieties of lotus are known for their medicinal values. Kamala, the lotus with 1000 petals although a rarest variety, is the best among all. Other varieties are known by the colour of flower, its habitat and petals. Overall, the lotus is coolant in nature and one of the best natural medicine to treat pitta and rakta related disorders (i.e. heat and blood related diseases). It improves the skin complexion and helps reduce toxicities.

Every festival celebrated in a traditional way has some scientific logic hidden behind it. It mostly gives us the guidance on what to adopt in upcoming season. It is the Vedic wisdom passed on by our ancestors for our health, happiness and longevity.