Ganesh Chaturthi: The Story, Fun Activities, and Festive Songs for Kids

Ganesh Chaturthi is a special festival celebrated in India to honor Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is known as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom. This festival is full of joy, colors, and devotion, and it's a time when families come together to celebrate with lots of love and creativity.

The Story of Ganesh Chaturthi:

A long time ago, there was a powerful goddess named Parvati. She created a little boy from clay and breathed life into him. This boy was Ganesha. One day, Parvati asked Ganesha to guard the door while she took a bath. Ganesha stood guard, just as his mother told him.

When Lord Shiva, Parvati's husband, came home, Ganesha didn’t recognize him and didn’t let him enter. Lord Shiva became very angry and, in a fit of rage, accidentally knocked off Ganesha’s head. Parvati was very sad when she saw what had happened to her son. To make things right, Lord Shiva sent his followers to find the head of the first living creature they saw, which happened to be an elephant. He placed the elephant's head on Ganesha’s body and brought him back to life. Since then, Ganesha has been worshipped as the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and the remover of obstacles.

Art & Craft Ideas for Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Clay Ganesha: You can make your own little Ganesha idol using clay. Use colorful paints to decorate him after the clay dries. This is a fun activity that kids will love, and it’s a great way to connect with the tradition of creating Ganesha idols.

2. Ganesh Mask: Create a Ganesha mask using paper plates or cardboard. Cut out the shape of an elephant’s head, and add ears, a trunk, and eyes using craft paper, markers, and glue.
   

3. Ganesha Coloring Pages: Print out Ganesha-themed coloring pages where kids can color the god in bright and beautiful colors. This is an easy and enjoyable activity that can keep kids engaged.
   Click here to get your coloring sheet

4. Decorative Toran: Make a festive toran (door hanging) using marigold flowers, mango leaves, or colorful paper. Kids can cut out paper in different shapes and string them together to hang at the entrance of their home.
   

Traditional Cooking and Sweet Making

Easy Steamed Modak Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Dough: 1 cup rice flour, 1 cup water, 1 tsp ghee, A pinch of salt

For the Filling: 1 cup grated coconut, 1/2 cup jaggery, 1/2 tsp cardamom powder, 1 tbsp chopped dry fruits (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Filling:

   • Cook coconut and jaggery in a pan until the jaggery melts.
   • Add cardamom powder and dry fruits. Mix well and let it cool.

2. Prepare the Dough:

   • Boil water with salt and ghee. Add rice flour and stir until smooth.
   • Let it cool, then knead into a soft dough.

3. Shape the Modaks:

   • Take a small dough ball, flatten it, and add the filling in the center.
   • Bring the edges together to form a peak, sealing the modak.

4. Steam:

   • Steam the modaks for 10-12 minutes until they turn slightly glossy.

Your simple and tasty modaks are ready to enjoy!

Songs for Ganesh Chaturthi:

• “Ganpati Bappa Morya” - This is the most popular chant during Ganesh Chaturthi. It’s simple and can be easily sung by kids.
• “Deva Shree Ganesha” from the movie Agneepath - This energetic song can fill the atmosphere with excitement.
• “Sindoor Lal Chadayo” from the movie Vaastav - A traditional song that’s often played during the festival.
• “Jai Ganesh Deva” - A classic Ganesh aarti that is melodious and soothing.