PANCHA GANAPATIA modern winter festival for Hindus

• Daddy, do we get toys for Christmas, too?

WHEN/HOW DID IT ORIGINATE?• 1985• Sivaya Subramuniyaswami• Founder of Hinduism Today magazine

WHAT IS IT?• 5 day festival in December• The “family festival of giving”• Celebration of Ganesha

o “guardian of culture”o For new beginnings

• Time to mend past mistakes, bond with family, celebrate a new beginning

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

• Make a shrine in the living roomo Center: 5-faced statue of Ganeshao Decorations: banana leaves, Durva grass, sugarcane,

and garlands of sweet modaka balls• Each day:

o Children dress/decorate Ganesha in different color (representing 5 shaktis)

o Offer tray of sweets, fruits, incenseo Chants, bhajans, normal puja stuffo Gifts are placed before Ganesha (unopened)

Handmade gifts = best

DECEMBER 21(GOLDEN YELLOW)

• Goal: create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate family members

• What is done: o Family wakes up early, decorates shrineo Grand puja to invite Pancha Ganapati to the homeo Family sits together, makes amends for misdeeds, offer

forgiveness, praise good qualities in each other

DECEMBER 22(ROYAL BLUE)

• Goal: create a vibration of love and harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends

• What is done: o Offer heartfelt gifts and apologies to clear up any ill-will

that may existo Call/write to any distant relatives/friends

DECEMBER 23(RUBY RED)

• Goal:  create a vibration of love and harmony among business associates and the public

• What is done: o Give gifts to co-workers, customers, etc.o Honor employers and employees with gifts and

appreciationo Settle all debts and disputes

DECEMBER 24(EMERALD GREEN)• Goal:  draw forth the vibration of joy and harmony

that comes from music, art, drama and the dance• What is done:

o Family, relatives and friends gather for satsang in front of Ganesha

o Share their artistic gifts, discuss Hindu Dharma and make plans to bring more cultural refinement into the home

DECEMBER 25(BRILLIANT ORANGE)

• Goal:  bring forth love and harmony that comes from charity and religiousness

• What is done: o 5 special pujas throughout the dayo Gifts are opened by everyone at end of last pujao Experience Ganeshas’s abundant, loving presence,

filling the home and everyone’s hearts