Know the reason behind offering Durva to Lord Ganesha
According to provision in the scriptures, the first revered Lord Ganesha should be worshipped in Chaturthi Tithi and on Wednesday. Jyotishacharya Pt. Narendra Krishna Shastri has said that normally worshipping Lord Ganesh before any of the auspicious rituals is in practice but especially in Chaturthi Tithi and on Wednesday, the devotees worship Lord Gajanand with full predestination. Durva is always offered while worshipping Lord Ganesh as Durva is his favourite offering. Durva is also called Doob and this is a type of grass that is only used in worshipping Lord Ganesh. Why Lord Ganesh loves Durva after all? What is the story behind it? Why only 21 knots of Durva is offered to Lord Ganesh?
It is believed that offering 21 knots of Durva to Lord Ganesh results in the fulfilment of all your wishes. Jyotishacharya Pt. Krishna Shastri has mentioned about a mythological story that lies behind this practice. In the ancient times lived a demon named Anlasur. Heaven and Earth were wracked by his wrath. Anlasur was sucha demon who used to engulfthe saints and humans alive. The rising atrocities of Anlasur forced Indra and other deities and saints to reach for help to Lord Shiva and requested him to put an end to the demon's terror. Listening to their prayers, Lord Shiva replied that only Lord Ganesha can defeat Anlasur and help you get rid of his terrors. Afterwards, listening to their prayers, Lord Ganesha engulfed Anlasur. But sooner, he felt an irritation in his stomach. Even after trying all the remedies, the irritation did not stop in his stomach, then Rishi Kashyap made 21 knots of Durva and asked Lord Ganesha to consume it. After consuming the Durva, he was relievedfrom the irritation.It is believed that since then the tradition of offering Durva to Lord Ganesha began.
Nitika MehraUpdated 30 Jun 2021 07:40 PM IST
Kumari Nisha Thapa
