A Beginners’ Guide to DIY Ganesh Chaturthi Decoration at Home

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Introduction

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Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of the birth of the pot bellied remover of obstacles in Hindu tradition, Lord Ganesha. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals all over India- crores of households sit together and pray to Ganesha on this auspicious day to bless their lives. There is a lot of preparation behind the pooja and the festival, the most important aspect of it being the decoration. Decoration is a very important element in Ganesh Chaturthi, creating a festive environment in and around the entire household. This article is the absolute beginners’ guide to traditional decoration for Ganesh Chaturthi!

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Significance of Decoration in Ganesh Chaturthi

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Decoration of homes for Ganesh Chaturthi begins not just with superficial decoration. Since it is a festival when Lord Ganesha is invited over, the preparations begin with efforts to clean one’s house thoroughly. Homes are organised, furniture, walls, windows and everythings are dusted and old and useless objects are discarded. All members of the household buy new clothing to ‘decorate’ themselves for the occasion. It is only after all of this that the house is decorated.

Traditional Decoration for Ganesh Chaturthi

DIY-Ganesh-Chaturthi-Decoration-at-Home-Flower-Bowl

For every festival, Indian homes are traditionally decorated with a wide range of minimalistic, affordable and sustainable accessories. Traditional Indian practices are sustainable without even making an effort to be so and are just as affordable. Besides, what better way can there be to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi than respecting traditional methods of decoration? So, traditional decoration for Ganesh Chaturthi is a very viable option for everyone- from the old to the young and broke.

Ganesha Pandal

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The Ganesha Pandal is the most important part of Ganesh Chaturthi. At my home, a small panel of criss-crossed wooden canes was decorated and hung above the Lord. From this panel, a number of fruits and leaves said to be the favourites of Lord Ganesha would be hung to please him. A clay idol of the lord that we would make at home would be placed on a wooden peetham or low stool below on a bed of auspicious leaves including darbha grass. This is the traditional way to make your personal pandal, but of course, one can customise it.

You can choose to make a pandal with an antique feel by using brass lamps, idols and decor or you can make it earthy, minimalist and natural by using clay idols and flowers and plants. It is all up to you!

Mango leaves

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Mango leaves are a part of every Indian festival. They are generally hung beside doorways or as festoons on doorways. Mango leaves are of supreme importance in Indian culture, and are said to represent Goddess Lakshmi. Hence, they are hung to signify an auspicious and fresh welcome. Besides, the deep, lush green of the mango leaves is bound to uplift your mood and create a festive atmosphere in the house.

Marigold/Flower garlands

DIY-Ganesh-Chaturthi-Decoration-at-Home-Marigold and Flower Garlands

Marigold flower garlands are also an important part of every Indian festival. Every doorway has beautiful, bright orange marigold garlands tied to doorways, with dark green mango leaves complementing the deep orange hue of the marigolds. The Marigolds represent the radiance of the sun themselves and are a symbol of purity and auspiciousness for every Hindu home. If not available, other flowers are also a perfectly viable option – all flowers are sacred and festive in Hindu tradition.

Rangoli/muggu/kolam

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A Rangoli or a kolam is an intricate drawing made of coloured or plain rice flour in front of Indian houses. One of the most joyous parts of festivals in India is drawing intricate patterns with family members for hours while squatting at the doorsteps of our homes. Besides being a tradition, this is probably one of the most beautiful parts of Indian households during a festival, and is a must do!

Drawing made with coloured or uncoloured rice flour in the doorsteps of houses. It is so integral to the Hindu mind that a house without a Rangoli is considered bad luck. Rangolis are considered a symbol of luck and togetherness, since traditionally, women of the household came together to draw them amidst laughter and happiness. A Rangoli is a must for not just any festival, but for any day!

Lamps

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Lamps are an important symbol in the Hindu religion. They are symbolic of the victory of    the light over darkness, of victory against evil. Hence, what better day is there to light lamps on Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrating the God who removes all obstacles? Besides, lamps are an integral part of Ganesh Chaturthi traditions and Poojas either way, so they deserve to be a part of your Ganesh Chaturthi decorations. To add an extra sparkle to your house, you could also decorate it with clay lamps filled with ghee – cheap, easy and beautiful.

Add ons!

Eco friendly ganapati decoration
Parisara ganapati

Besides the traditional decor for Ganesh Chaturthi, one could always decide to get creative and add a few modern elements to the festival. For example, origami and papercraft decor is a great way to go! Paper lamps, flowers, festoons and handmade paper pandal back runners are some easy decor options. just a few things that can be made at home to add a little crafty bling to the festival!

Conclusion

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This Ganesh Chaturthi, bring Lord Ganesha home to pray away all your troubles and worries. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

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Decorating for Ganesh Chaturthi can be a delightful DIY project. Start by crafting eco-friendly clay idols of Lord Ganesha or repurpose existing ones. Create a vibrant ambiance with colorful rangoli designs made from rice flour or flower petals. String up decorative lights and traditional torans to enhance the festive spirit. Incorporate natural elements like fresh flowers and leaves for a fragrant and visually appealing altar. Personalize your decorations to infuse your home with the joy and spirituality of this auspicious Hindu festival.

Image credits: The copyright for the images used in this article belong to their respective owners. Best known credits are given under the image. For changing the image credit or to get the image removed from Caleidoscope, please contact us.

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