Our Celebration 2022

This year, Ganesha Chaturthi falls on August 30th in North America. As per tradition, will be celebrating the festival with 10 days of puja, beginning on chaturthi (Aug. 30th). We will conclude the celebration on the 11th day by conducting visarjanam (submersion of the clay image of Lord Ganesha) at a nearby river. The worship of  Ganapati removes all sorts of obstacles and troubles and grants us buddhi (wisdom / knowledge) and siddhi (accomplishment / powers).

Sponsor the Soma Matha Ganesha Chaturthi Celebration 

Sponsors will have their names included in our daily pujas. Please send your gotra, nakshatras, and family names (if known) when sponsoring. This year, we are leaving the amount entirely to the discretion of our sponsors. Your sponsorship helps us to buy necessary offerings and connects you energetically to the offerings being made. Soma Matha spiritual center is a registered 501c3 Not for Profit organization and so your donations are tax deductible.   

About Ganesha Chaturthi

Also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesha Chaturthi falls annually on chaturthi (the 4th lunar phase) of the shukla paksha (waxing moon cycle), in Bhadrapada month (Aug. / Sept.). It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. There are various stories associated with the 4th lunar phase and its inauspiciousness and propensity to create obstacles. Worship of Lord Ganesha helps to remove the inauspicious nature of this time. While it is typically thought to be very inauspicious to see the Moon during this particular lunar phase, it is thought to bring good luck to see the Moon on chaturthi after worship of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated throughout India, but especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu where worship of Ganesha is popular and there are many Temples dedicated to him.  

Ganesha Murti from India

This year, you can also celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi by supporting our efforts to ship the newly finished murti of Ganesha commissioned by Swamiji and carved by shilpis under the guidance of Jayendra Sthapti in Kanchi, India. Follow this link to visit our murti sponsorship page to donate to help bring Lord Ganesha's murti to Virginia. Jai Ganesha!  

Photo of the newly carved Ganesha Murti