Best practices to Teach Writing - Collection of ideas using Tricider Tool

Tips to make your English Lessons Fun

Role play by Rural school children in English-II by Sampath-(ZPHS suraram)

Role play by ZPHS Suraram students conducted by Sampath

50 Tasks for the English Language Classroom

                50 Tasks for the English Language Classroom

1. Use small strips of paper and tape to label and name all things in the classroom.



2. Each student create an alphabet card. Hang up at the front of the classroom.



3. Make a poster with information about a country. Present it to the class.



4. Bring in to class something you don’t need. Every student gets $100 (fake) to buy items.

Use only English and buy/sell – who makes the most money?



5. Find classmates that are born in the same month as you. Link arms and continue to

find more students born in the same month.



6. Teach a fellow student how to do something. Write out the steps beforehand then

Explain.



7. Go around the class and say thank you to every classmate. Give a different reason

To each person. “Thank you for …..ing ……….”



8. Make a list of (topic) that start with each letter of the alphabet. Who can get the most?



9. Write 5 general knowledge questions on a piece of paper. Easy to hardest. Play

Jeopardy asking your questions to classmates. Points: 1,2,3,4,5.



10. Write a yes/no question that you are interested in finding out from classmates. Walk

around the class and survey everyone. Report back to the class your findings.



11. Tell a joke in your native language. Then try and tell the same joke in English. Can

you?



12. Spell a word on the back of a friend. Can they guess? Write a number? Can they say

what it is?



13. With a large piece of paper, draw your body outline. Label all your parts and color.



14. Make 12 groups. Each group makes a calendar page with important class dates for

their month.



15. Students sit back to back and telephone each other. Pretend you are ordering a pizza

Reporting a missing person / Making a doctor’s appointment.



16. Describe a favorite movie. Give hints. Can others guess which movie it is?



17. Whisper some gossip in a classmates ear. Keep passing on the gossip. After, share

the gossip with the class. Is it the same as the gossip started?

18. Pitch a business. In a group, come up with a busines concept and then sell the idea to

the class. Vote after and best idea wins.



19. Invite a family member or older friend to the class. Or interview with skype.

Prepare questions before they visit.



20. Write a letter in English to the local government about an issue. Describe what you

want changed.



21. Take a current news story. Answer the 5 Ws about the story and explain each to the

class.



22. Fold paper in half to make a booklet. Describe your typical day / your favorite things

on each page. Let your classmates read your book.



23. One student goes out of the class. The teacher tells a story. When the student comes

back in, the rest of the class retell the story to the student.



24. Have a bragging competition. One student starts, “My ….. is ……er than your ….”

Students reply with – So what / Big Deal, “My ….. is more ….. than yours.”



25. First word war. Say one word and then student must reply within 3 seconds with a

word that is associated. Snow – Cold – Winter – December – Christmas ….



26. Draw a “wingdingdongdilly” , an animal with many different parts. Explain the parts

to the class.



27. Describe how to get from your home to school. Draw a map to help you explain.



28. Write a card to a friend apologizing for something. Give it to them in class.



29. Imagine you have a million dollars. Take turns saying what you’d buy. One person

adds up the cost until you have no money left.



30. Bring dishes and cutlery to class. Students make menus and then order lunch. Some

Students act as waiters / waitresses.



31. Show a short video or read a short story. Stop before the end. Students have to

predict the ending. Were they right?



32. Take a favorite English song. Student must rewrite the chorus with their own words

and then sing it for the class.



33. Brainstorm as many items in the class beginning with the letter ___. Group with

the most items wins.



34. Students reschedule their week of lessons. They report back to the class how they’d

change things.



35. Remove many items from students (notebooks, pens, pencil cases etc…). Put in a

bag. Give these to other students. They must walk around asking who owns them.



36. Daily class radio show. Each day to start the class interview one student at the front

of the class with a microphone. The audience can ask questions too!



37. Brainstorm what each student will probably do (job) when they grow up. Share your

thoughts.



38. Put on soft, relaxing music. Get students to imagine a scene. Have them draw their

scene and describe to others what they imagined.



39. Bring in the daily weather map fron the newspaper. Students take turns asking what

the weather is like in …….



40. Use a catalog. Student must by gifts for the rest of the class. They cut out the gifts

and go around the class giving the gifts they bought. After, students share what

they got.



41. Blindfold a student. Other students must direct them across the classroom to rescue

the class mascot. If the student touches a desk, they lose.



42. DEAR. Drop Everything And Read. The teacher should also spend time reading.



43. Students make their own wordsearch. Switch and do a classmates and race to see

who can finish first.



44. Ask the teacher a personal question. The teacher can lie. If you guess a lie – the

class wins. If you are wrong, the teacher wins. You only get one try to call the lie.



45. Make 3 wishes on pieces of paper. Put your name on the back. Put them in a bag.

The teacher draw out a wish and reads it. Can you guess who wishes this?



46. Stereotypes. Finish sentences with “All (nationality) ……………” Discuss why

this is true or not.



47. Students are on vacation. Give them a postcard to write to a classmate. After they

finish and post, the teacher delivers it to the students.



48. Students must phone the teacher in the evening and tell the teacher 5 things they did

during the day.



49. Blindfold a student. Hide an object. Unblindfold the student who must guess where

the object is. Students say “hot” or “cold” depending on the guess.



50. Write a letter to God saying all the things you’d like changed. Have a student be a

messenger and tell the student the things you want them to ask God to do.

How Vijayadashmi festival celebration is used to teach English

Vijayadashmi celebrations in India by Vinayadhar Raju on Mixcloud

Lesson for All Students Student:___________________Date:______________________

Teacher: vinayadharraju prathikantam

Vijayadhashmi celebrations in India

By: Vinayadharraju
Source: www.feltap.blogspot.com

   Pronunciation: AH

  Pronunciation

   Directions: Practice Pronouncing this sound bysaying the word pairs and example sentences and words from this reading

Word Pairs but-bet, gut-get, touch-tack, us-use
Example sentence: Cut luscious butter.
Examples from this reading: Reflecting Mythology Invocation Significance Worship Trident Submit Ferocious Concluded Complicated Celebrated Decorated Feminine Entity Depicted

  Reading

   Directions: Read the following passage carefully.

Read the entire passage quickly and generate questions using the graphic organizer below. Read the passage again more carefully and try to answer your questions.
Thick Questions Big questions that you need to THINK and SEARCH to find the answers to. EXAMPLES: Why does the author think that…? What would happen if …? Why does…?		Thin Questions Smaller questions that you can find the answer to RIGHT IN THE TEXT. EXAMPLES: What…? Who…? When…? Where…?
Questions	Possible Answers	Questions	Possible Answers

Description of Durga Maa:(Click the above  button to listen)

 Maa Durga is the most revered goddess in Hindu mythology. She is worshipped by all Hindus all over the world and epitomizes feminine energy or ‘Shakti’. Goddess Durga has many forms, each one having a special significance.
Goddess Durga is considered self-sufficient and an independent entity. The image of Goddess Durga typically shows her riding a lion or tiger representing power and holding both weapons and carrying lotus flower. In her most popular images, Maa Durga is seen with ten arms and slaying the demon Mahisasura. Even in this ferocious form, Goddess Durga has been shown adorning a meditative smile, reflecting her compassionate nature towards her devotees.

Origin of Durga

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the combined energies of the Gods Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver and Shiva, the Destroyer, in order to fight the demon called Mahisasura. As legend goes, the demon Mahisasura was awarded the boon that he could neither be killed by man of God. Therefore the presence of a feminine energy was required to slay this demon that caused much destruction in all the three worlds – Earth, Heaven and nether world.
Goddess Durga was gifted different weapons by all the Gods, out of which the spear and trident have most commonly been depicted in her images. She is also seen holding the chakra, sword, bow and arrow and other weapons.

Worship of Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga is worshipped with much gaiety in the month of Aswin and is the biggest festival in the Indian States of West Bengal, Orissa, Assam other countries as well. In Bengal, the day denoting the victory of Maa Durga on Mahisasura is called VijayaDashami.
During the nine days of worship, nine different forms of Durga are invoked upon. The ritual san form of worship of Goddess Durga differs in each State of India. The last Day of worship is symbolic of Durga’s return home to mount Kailash where Lord Shiva, her husband is known to reside.
Goddess Durga symbolizes freedom from all fear. Prayers are offered by devotees to help them get rid of all their sins and vices. This Puja involves a lot of complicated rituals and Pundits experienced in this worship are usually called upon at the time of Durga Puja. In their invocation of Maa Durga, he devotees promises to submit to her power and energy in return for release from all their trouble sand worries.

Andhra Pradesh (Vijayadashmi celebrations in AP)

^{Vijayadashami has great importance in the Telugu household. For life events such as starting a new business/ venture, or buying a new home or vehicle, rituals take place on this auspicious day. They perform Ayudha Puja where they sanctify vehicles and other new items. In the evenings, a procession is taken up in all major cities where people dress up as characters from the Ramayana and perform stage shows called Ramlila. Huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit or Meghanada are burned, signifying victory of Lord Rama.}

^{In the Telangana region, younger family members usually pay respects to their elders by giving them leaves of Shami tree/ Jammi tree, and seeking their blessings.}

^{This festival is celebrated in all temples of Durga. Shodasa Upacharam is offered to her. During Navratri ("nine nights"), Goddess Durga is decorated in her different aspects like Bala Tripura Sundari, Mahishasura Mardhini, Annapoorna, Kali, Raja Rajeshwari, Kanaka Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Gayatri Devi. On the river banks of Krishna at Vijayawada, in an age-old temple of "Sri Durga Malleswar Swami" and on a hill called "Indra-Kila-Adri", Dasara & Navratri are celebrated every year with great pomp & show and tens of thousands of people visit this temple during this time. These celebrations are concluded on the tenth day of "Vijaya Dashami", which is usually a national holiday. In Vijayawada on Vijayadashami day, Teppa Utsavam is celebrated, in which Durga's image is placed on a big boat decorated with flowers and lights, is celebrated in the evening.}

  Comprehension Questions

   Directions: Read the following questions and answer each one to the best of your ability.

1. Suggest a different title for this text. Why do you think that this would make a good title?


2. Identify a quote from the text that you think is very important and explain why.


3. If you were asked to edit this text down to half its length, what details would you remove?


4. What is the main idea of this text? What details from the text support the main idea?


5. Write 3-5 sentences summarizing the text.

  

  Focus on Grammar

The simple present is used in 3 cases.

1. General truths: "The sun rises in the east."
2. Habits: "I drink coffee every morning."
3. Conditions: "Today is sunny."

How is the simple present used in the sentence(s) below?

   Directions: Identify how the simple_present is used in the sentence(s) below

1. Goddess Durga symbolizes freedom from all fear.


2. Goddess Durga has many forms, each one having a special significance.


3. show and tens of thousands of people visit this temple during this time.


4. They perform Ayudha Puja where they sanctify vehicles and other new items.

  

   Word Roots & Stems

Rule: The suffix ous changes a noun into an adjective, like dangerous.

   Directions: Identify the word that ends with -ous in each sentence and write it on the line.

1. Even in this ferocious form, Goddess Durga has been shown adorning a meditative smile , reflecting her compassionate nature towards her devotees.
   
2. For life events such as starting a new business / venture, or buying a new home or vehicle, rituals take place on this auspicious day.
   

Directions: Fill in the blanks below, just as in the models.

gaseous	gas + eous	Above 100 degrees C., water becomes gaseous.
furious	(fury-y) + ious	When you pull her tail, the cat gets furious.
mysterious	____________	________________________________________________
spacious	____________	________________________________________________
nervous	(nerves - es) + ous	I was nervous when he drove fast.
glorious	____________	________________________________________________

  Vocabulary Practice

  Fill in the blank

         Directions: Use the word bank to identify the word that best completes the sentence.

feminine	ferocious	gaiety	concluded	emerged	denoting
complicated	depicted	entity	celebrated	adorning	boon
decorated	energy	bow

1. The wave came over the _______________ and everyone got wet.



2. The arrows _______________ the direction of the trains.


3. After looking at the prices, she _______________ that she needed $500 more.


4. He _______________ his birthday with a cake and a party.


5. The painting _______________ an important moment in history.


6. Finding a job was a _______________ to his family.


7. Having children _______________ his life.


8. Organisms obtain _______________ through the process of cellular respiration.



9. The house and decorations are very _______________.


10. The _______________ dog attacked the dogcatcher.


11. She _______________ the hat with flowers.


12. The kittens began to _______________ from their mother.


13. The room was _______________ with paintings.

Matching

Directions: Write the letter of word that matches the definition on the line. If it helps, feel free to also draw a line between the definition and the matching word.

1. feminine
2. ferocious
3. gaiety
4. concluded
5. emerged
6. denoting
7. complicated
8. depicted
9. entity
10. celebrated
11. adorning
12. boon
13. decorated
14. energy
15. bow

• 
  16. _______ The front of a boat.
  
• 
  17. _______ Something that is individual from others.
  
• 
  18. _______ To designate by word or mark.
  
• 
  19. _______ To reach as a logical answer.*
  
• 
  20. _______ To have the ceremony and festivity that mark a day or event.
  
• 
  21. _______ To show or describe something.
  
• 
  22. _______ A benefit; something good that happens.
  
• 
  23. _______ To make something difficult, or hard to deal with.
  
• 
  24. _______ The ability to do work. In living things, energy is stored as ATP, which can be used to do work in cells.
  
• 
  25. _______ Festivity.
  
• 
  26. _______ Having the qualities of women, womanly.
  
• 
  27. _______ Of a wild, fierce, and savage nature.
  
• 
  28. _______ To add to something to make it beautiful.
  
• 
  29. _______ To come into view or into existence.
  
• 
  30. _______ Decorate.
  

Write your own sentences

Directions: For each of the words in the box, write an original sentence using the word. Circle the vocabulary word in each sentence. Be sure to write a sentence that would help the reader better understand the meaning of the word.

feminine	ferocious	gaiety	concluded	emerged	denoting
complicated	depicted	entity	celebrated	adorning	boon
decorated	energy	bow

31.

  
 

  32                                             33.



.

34.

35.

36.

37

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

Lesson Plan

Lesson:

Aim:To make the students learn English with the experiences in their day to day life Grade: 10 Subject: Prepared by: vinayadharraju prathikantam

Objectives:

• Students will be able to understand, pronounce, and use the words in the vocabulary list below.
• Students will be able to demonstrate comprehension of the passage by answering questions which require basic understanding and interpretation of the content.
• To make familiar with Indian culture and tradition.

Standards addressed:

• 3, Grade Secondary - Students apply strategies to comprehend text, including phonemic awareness, word deconstruction, structural knowledge, and contextual interpretation.
• 4, Grade Secondary - Students communicate effectively using various modes of language.
• 5, Grade Secondary - Students employ writing strategies that are appropriate to the audience and purpose.
• 6, Grade Secondary - Students apply knowledge of language structure and conventions to make meaning out of text.
• 8, Grade Secondary - Students use a variety of informational resources to gather information and communicate knowledge
• 9, Grade Secondary - Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language.

Vocabulary:

1. feminine 2. ferocious 3. gaiety 4. concluded 5. emerged 6. denoting 7. complicated 8. depicted 9. entity 10. celebrated 11. adorning 12. boon 13. decorated 14. energy 15. bow

Activity

Description

Differentiation Guide

Assessment

Pronunciation Practice: AH

• Introduce key phoneme with minimal pairs.
• Model and emphasize pronunciation.
• Individual and choral repetition.

Give students who need extra help the opportunity to practice in smaller groups or individually. Alternate choral and individual repetition, calling on individual students at random. Struggling students may need additional instruction on how to make new sounds. Some students may benefit from being challenged to think of their own minimal pair.

ALL Students will be able to demonstrate an increase in pronunciation skills by successfully pronouncing the new sound during choral or individual repetition. SOME students will be able to recognize and identify the sound in other words they know.

Introduction of vocabulary

Introduce the new words from the vocabulary list in above (see Objectives) by modeling pronunciation, individual and choral repitition.
Review defintions
Sample Questioning:

• In your own words, explain the definition.
• Who can think of a time when this word might be used?
• Can you use this word in a sentence?
• What’s the antonym (opposite) of this word?

When appropriate, give different types of learners an opportunity to write down the new words, associate a visual image to cue to understanding of the word, or develop a physical action to increase the student’s ability to remember the new words.

ALL Students will be able to increase their understanding and awareness of the new words.SOME Students will be asked to orally demonstrate knowledge of new words.

Reading & Comprehension Questions

Students will read the passages of and demonstrate comprehension of the content by question.

Depending on the population: Read the entire passage aloud, to model phrasing and fluency. Pause at key moments and model good reading strategies through a think aloud. Ask students to volunteer to read parts of the passage aloud. Instruct students to read the passage silently and complete the questions independently, while working with students who need more literacy help. Ask students to complete the questions by doing Think, Pair, Share

ALL Students will read the passage or follow along as the passage is read. ALL Students will strive to demonstrate comprehension of the passage by answering the questions. SOME students will be given an opportunity to share their answer aloud.

Grammar

Students will review the usage of and then identify simple_present in sentences from the reading. Students will write 5 original sentences using simple_present.

Give students need time to work on completing their own practice sentences for the grammatical structure. Invite early finishers to put their sentences on the board or challenge them to not only use the grammar structure, but also include the vocabulary from the lesson in their sentences.

ALL Students will be able to demonstrate an increased mastery of the grammar structure by independently writing sentences that correctly employ simple_present.

Word Building: Roots and Stems

Students will be encouraged to take away a word-attack strategy from this lesson by reviewing -y, which was used in the reading.

Students may benefit from having time to complete this portion of the worksheet individually or in pairs.

ALL students will be able to recognize the suffix -y and understand The suffix y changes a noun into an adjective, like dirty..

Practicing New Vocabulary

Students will be given a chance to practice applying new vocabulary by completing cloze sentences.

Students complete this section of worksheet independently prior to group review of the answers. When appropriate, have students work in pairs or small groups.

ALL Students will increase their familiarity with the new vocabulary and their ability to successfully use these new words in context. Students who get more than two of the cloze sentences wrong should be asked do other reinforcement (i.e. flash cards).

Summary

Instructor will review the objectives of the lesson with the class a whole.

The summary can be completed as quick discussion or by asking student to summarize in their notes.

Example quick assess: 3 new pieces of information from text, 2 new words, 1 question about what they learned.

 ^{Write  how you are going use this information/audio clip to teach English to your students?}

^{write your answers in comments box.}

 ^{*****************************************************}

Writing Activities

Dear friends,


 I'd like to share the activities that I collected to  use in my classroom focus on the communicative effectiveness.

1) Chain Story – GROUP WORK

Look at the picture on the desk.

If you are first, start one sentence of a story based on the picture.

If you are not first, add to the story.  Use your imagination!!!

2)Cinquain Poetry

A cinquain is a five-line poem.  Read the guidelines below.



Line 1: State a subject in one word (usually a noun)



Line 2: Describe the subject in 2 words



Line 3: Describe an action about the subject in 3 words



Line 4: Express a feeling/emotion you have about the subject in 4

  words



Line 5: Restate the subject in another, single word that reflects

            what has already been said (usually a noun)





Example:



Rain

cool, refreshing

suddenly cascading down

renewed, alive with anticipation

downpour

Now try writing your own poem:

3) Free-writing: It’s FREE!

The Rules:

    Write the first thing that comes into your head!
    Incorrect grammar is OKAY!
    Incorrect spelling and words are OKAY!
    Abbreviations are okay!  (example: “with” → “w/”)
    Messy handwriting is OKAY!!
    Don’t stay in the lines!

ANYTHING IS OKAY!!!  JUST KEEP WRITING!!



SAMPLE:

I like writing about nothing. Nothing is my good friend. I think nothing is a synonym to emptiness. So does it mean that when I feel nothing I am empty? Or what am I writing now? Does it make any sense to you?

4)    Postcards – Individual Task

1)   Choose a postcard

2)  Choose a name (see the list below) who to write to.

3)  Cross out this name from the list.

4)  Write a postcard to the person you chose

5)  Address the postcard

6)  Put the postcard to the Mail Box (Envelope) – SEND it!







Postcards TO...



Please tick (  ✓    ) the name you choose, so that the others would not write to the same person! :-)

5)    River writing — INDIVIDUAL TASK

The Rules:

1.Choose a trigger and write!

2.Keep your hand moving and writing. Repeat words or ideas if you feel stuck, but keep your hand moving!

3.Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Don’t erase or cross out anything!

4.Anything in ENGLISH is okay!

5.If you do not know what to write, write the trigger word over and over again until more English flows out of you!

6.If you want to change topics or triggers…do it!

7.Write like water flowing in a river!!!



Triggers



Yesterday I…

I always wanted..

I will never…

I LOVE…..




        Self-portrait - 1


             Poem – INDIVIDUAL TASK

Follow the guidelines to write your own self-portrait:



Line 1:  your first name

Line 2:  4 adjectives that describe you

Line 3:  relationship to someone, e.g. mother of __, son of __

Line 4:  speaker of _____ (languages you speak)

Line 5:  who loves (name 3 things)

Line 6:  who dislikes (name 3 things)

Line 7:  who would like to see (name 3 things)

Line 8:  your profession

Line 9:  your last name

    

6) Story Cards – GROUP WORK

Instructions:



1. Look at the set of story cards.

2. Put the cards in a logical order so that they tell a story.

(Check for numbers on the back if you need to!)



3. Write one or two sentences for each picture. (if someone has started the story already, read what they wrote and add to the story)

4. 4. Shuffle the cards for the next person.

How I encouraged my students to give speech in English on our Head teacher's retirement function

How I encouraged my students to give speech in English on our Headmaster's retirement function

Back Ground: 

I have been working in ZPHS MANNEMPALLI in Karimnagar,AP since 2005,which is a small village most of my students are first generation learns they studied through Telugu medium from first class recently our Govt. introduces English medium in Govt.sector and named them as success schools so my students changed their medium and studied English medium from 6th class onwards,last month our school  Headmaster retired on 31st August using this opportunity I encouraged all our 10th class E/M students to give speech in English.All the students(15) in the class prepared for it but unfortunately the programme was delayed so my students didn't get any chance to deliver the speech on that day so I gave an opportunity for them to do it the same  in my class and I recorded their speeches and uploaded to my YOU TUBE account.(You can watch those videos here)

 

Strategies I followed:

1. I  asked them to prepare their own speech(rough draft) what ever language they know.

 Then I corrected their language and provided the skeleton of  a speech 

       a)  How to begin a speech or common expressions used at the beginning of the speech.

       b) About their experiences with our Headmaster.

       c) What are the different developmental activities taken up during his time.

       d) What are the different events or achievements that the school get during his time

       e) His special strengths or qualities if any....

       d) Closing the speech(provided  common expression used at the end of the speech)

 

2.Then I asked them to prepare their 2nd draft I made some corrections in grammar and vocabulary.

 

3.Given  two days time for get prepared.

 

4. Conducted rehearsals ask the students to come forward and deliver their speech in front of  their classmates and encouraged them  to stand there for about 2 to 3 minutes.(I    gave model presentations wherever necessary)

 

 5. Given opportunity for every student in the class and I made it compulsion.

 

6. This rehearsals continued for about a week(each student got at least three chances)

OUT COME:

On retirement day when I asked them to give their names all the students in class came forward.

Draw back:  

Students started using other students point in their speech finally all students speeches become all most similar.

 

Videos:(please post your comments)

CLICK HERE FOR OTHER VIDEOS

HOW GANESH CHATURTHI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION IS USED IN TEACHING ENGLISH

Ganesh chathurthi festival celebrations in India by Vinayadhar Raju on Mixcloud

HOW GANESH CHATURTHI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION IS USED IN TEACHING ENGLISH(Audio file)

 CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Activities can be taken up:

1. Ask the students to prepare greeting cards with a message on it

2. Boost the students to write essay how this festival is celebrated.

3. Conduct speaking activity how they are going to celebrate or how they celebrated the festival.

4. Ask them to write  five messages to greet their friends and teachers.

5.Ask the students to tell a story related to the festival.

6. Motivate them to write the vocabulary related to the festival.

7. Inspire the students to describe the Ganesh.

8. Ask them to draw a picture of Ganesh.

9. Ask the students to describe how we worship the lord Ganesh (imperatives cab be used)

10. Stimulate the students to write a poem describing the lord Ganesh.

Some useful material or information to conduct the above activities:

 Ganesh Chaturthi 2012

When: Wednesday, 19th September 2012
Where:INDIA

The countdown to the birth of the elephant God has begun.

Although celebrated all across India, Ganesh Chaturthi (or Vinayak Chaturthi, as it's also known) is a really important festival especially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan and South India. This Ganesh festival is about bringing home brilliantly crafted idols of the God, and there he will sit in state till Ganesh Chaturthi on September 19, when he is devotedly immersed in water.

Lord Ganesha Description: - 

The Hindu deity in a human form but with the head of an elephant - represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. For this reason, Hindus worship Ganesha first before beginning any religious, spiritual or worldly activity. In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the first son of Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother Parvati. Their second son is Lord Subramanya and their daughter is Jyoti. As explained below, the portrayal of Lord Ganesha as the blend of human and animal parts symbolizes the ideals of perfection as conceived by Hindu sages and illustrates some philosophical concepts of profound spiritual significance.

• Elephant head, wide mouth, and large ears: the large head of an elephant symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. The wide mouth represents the natural human desire to enjoy life in the world. The large ears signify that a perfect person is the one who possesses a great capacity to listen to others and assimilate ideas.

• The trunk and two tusks with the left tusk broken: there is no known human instrument that has an operating range as wide as that of an elephant's trunk. It can uproot a tree and yet lift a needle off the ground. Likewise, the human mind must be strong enough to face the ups and downs of the external world and yet delicate enough to explore the subtle realms of the inner world. The two tusks denote the two aspects of the human personality, wisdom and emotion. The right tusk represents wisdom and the left tusk represents emotion. The broken left tusk conveys the idea that one must conquer emotions with wisdom to attain perfection.

• Elephant eyes: the elephant eyes are said to possess natural deceptiveness that allows them to perceive objects to be bigger than what they really are. Thus the elephant eyes symbolize the idea that even if an individual gets "bigger and bigger" in wealth and wisdom, he should perceive others to be bigger than himself; that is, surrender one's pride and attain humility.

• The four arms and various objects in the four hands: the four arms indicate that the Lord is omnipresent and omnipotent. The left side of the body symbolizes emotion and the right side symbolizes reason. An axe in the upper left hand and a lotus in the upper right hand signify that in order to attain spiritual perfection, one should cut worldly attachments and conquer emotions. This enables one to live in the world without being affected by earthly temptations, just as a lotus remains in water but is not affected by it. A tray of Laddus (a popular snack) near the Lord denotes that He bestows wealth and prosperity upon His devotees. The lower right hand is shown in a blessing pose, which signifies that Ganesha always blesses His devotees.

• A human body with a big belly: the human body possesses a human heart, which is a symbol of kindness and compassion toward all. Ganesha's body is usually portrayed wearing red and yellow clothes. Yellow symbolizes purity, peace and truthfulness. Red symbolizes the activity in the world. These are the qualities of a perfect person who perforrns all duties in the world, with purity, peace, and truthfulness. The big belly signifies that a perfect individual must have a large capacity to face all pleasant and unpleasant experiences of the world.

• A mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha and gazing at the tray of Laddus: a mouse symbolizes the ego that can nibble all that is good and noble in a person. A mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha indicates that a perfect person is one who has conquered his (or her) ego. A mouse gazing at the Laddus, but not consuming them, denotes that a purified or controlled ego can live in the world without being affected by the worldly temptations. The mouse is also the vehicle of Ganesha, signifying that one must control ego in order for wisdom to shine forth.

• Right foot dangling over the left foot: as stated above, the left side of the body symbolizes emotion and the right side symbolizes reason and knowledge. The right foot dangling over the left foot illustrates that in order to live a successful life one should utilize knowledge and reason to overcome emotions.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi- which marks the birth of the Lord Ganesh- begin up to ten days in advance, and sometimes even months in advance. In virtually every neighbourhood, a brightly decorated and painstakingly crafted Ganesh idol is made, to be illuminated and worshiped for all of the ten days leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Grand Mandapams or stages are set up and filled with fresh flowers and the idols are dressed up in colourful clothes and glittering ornaments. There is keen competition to see which mandapam has been most artistically decorated and sometimes there is even a prize for the best dressed idol!

On the day of the Ganesh festival itself, sweets - especially laddoos and sugary modaks(undralu), which are a favourite of the God's -- are distributed (and consumed) and Ganesh temples are crowded with devotees who participate in the worship of the deity.

When all the festivities are over, the idols which have been worshipped over the past ten days are taken out in a grand procession. During this procession the much-adored God is hoisted on willing shoulders, or rides in open trucks and carriages.

Accompanied by fireworks displays, beating drums and the sound of thousands of voices singing devotional songs, the idols are ritually immersed in a nearby sea, lake or river. The immersion ceremony, which is known as the 'visarjan', marks the end of the festivities. The people dance with great enthusiasm and singing rents the air, urging the god to return post haste the next year.

"Ganpati bapa, mouriya! Pudcha varshi, laukar ya!" Hail Lord Ganesha, please return soon next year.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi 

The fervor with which devotees celebrate the birthday of their most loved deity – Lord Ganesha suggests the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi in their lives. According to the popular belief, Lord Ganesha descends on the earth on Ganesh Chaturthi to stay with his devotees for the course of ten days and clear all their obstacles. In return devotees pamper their beloved Lord Ganesha as an honoured guest and prepare his favourite sweets – modaks(undralu).

People also worship Ashtavinayak -- the eight embodiments of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. It is believed that Ashtavinayak eliminated the negative energy of evil powers from this world and this belief adds to the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi as it is believed that Ganesha always come to eradicate the evil from this planet.

Breaking coconuts is considered auspicious on Ganesh Chaturthi as when it is smashed on the floor it absorbs the negative energy from the atmosphere and thus ensuring your success henceforth in every venture you undertake.

Ganesh Chaturthi Myth 

A popular myth associated with Ganesh Chaturthi is that one should refrain from looking at the moon on this day. The fable behind this myth goes like on one of his birthdays, Lord Ganesha after stuffing his belly with modaks(undralu), rode on his mouse that stumbled after seeing a snake. This resulted in Ganesha falling down, bursting out his stomach and spilling all the modaks(undralu). Ganesha stuffed all the modaks back into his stomach and tied his belly with the snake. Seeing this moon in the sky starting laughing heartily, which annoyed Ganesha and he cursed moon that anyone who will look at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will invite a bad luck. Since then people abstain from looking at the moon on the festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi Beliefs 

In Hindu mythology Lord Ganesha is known as the lord of beginnings and as the lord of obstacle remover. Hence all auspicious occasions and religious functions begin by invoking his blessings. According to Hindu mythology anyone who reveres Lord Ganesha before starting any religious occasion or marriage ceremony receives his blessings which help in a successful culmination of the occasion. Lord Ganesha is also associated with commerce and traders till date seek his blessings before starting any new venture.

GANESH Chaturthi messages or wishes:

Ganesh Chaturthi

May Lord Ganesh shower you with succss in all your Endeavours

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

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Gajanana Shri Ganaraya aadi vandu tujha Moraya

Ganpati Bappa Morya!Mangal Murti Morya

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

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I wish u Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and

I pray to God for your prosperous life.

May you find all the delights of life,

May your all dreams come true.

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Gajanana Shri Ganaraya aadi vandu tujha Moraya

Ganpati Bappa Morya!Mangal Murti Morya

JAY GANESH..Mangal murti morya

Jay ganesh devaGanapati bappa moray

Happy Ganesh Chaturthy!!!

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Ganesh ki jyoti se noor miltahai

Sbke dilon ko surur milta hai,

Jobhi jaata hai ganesha ke dwaar,

Kuch na kuch zarror milta hai

Jai Shri Ganesha

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Hoping this ganesh chatrurthi

Will be the start of year that

Brings happiness for you.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

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This, is a special time when family

And friends get together, for fun.

Wishing laughter and fun to cheer your days,

In this festive season of GANESHA PUJA and always!

“Happy Ganesh Puja”

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Aapka sukh gabesh ke peth jitna bda ho,

Aapka dukh undar jesa chota ho,

Aapki life ganeshji ke sund jitni badi ho,

Aapke bol modak jaise mithe ho

BOLO GANPATI BAPPA MORAIYAA!!!

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I wish u Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and

I pray to God for your prosperous life.

May you find all the delights of life,

May your all dreams come true.

“Happy Ganesh Chaturthi”

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Wishing you happiness as big as Ganesh’s appetite

life is long as his trunk

trouble as small as his mouse

and moments as sweet as his laddus

Sending you wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi!

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May Lord Ganapathi shower you with success in all your endeavors? Happy Ganesh Chaturthy.

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At ganesh chatruthi hoping this Ganesh chatruthi will be the start of year that brings the happiness ganesh chaturthi. Jay Shri Ganesh!!

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I heartily wish Lord Ganesha filled your home with prosperity and fortune. Best wishes on Ganesh Chatrurthi!

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GANPATI BAPA MORIYA

AADHA LADDU CHORIYA

AGLE BARAS TU JALDI AA

HAPPY Shri Ganesh

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May the Lord vigna vighna vinayaka

remove all obstacles and shower you with gifts

Jai Shri Siddhi Vinayaka Ganesha

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Hoping that this Ganesh chatruthi will be

the start of year that brings the happiness

that lord Ganesh fills your home with prosperity & fortune

Best wishes on ganesh chatrurthi

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May GANAPATHI shower you with succss in all that you do

Happy Ganesh chaturthy.

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