Namaste, Hari Om,
Why is this day Important: Its the birth of one of the most familiar Gods in Hinduism, Lord Ganesh. Its very beneficial to walk a spiritual path, and with blessings from Lord Ganesh, the path can be free of obstacles.
What should I do: Please fast on this day if possible, sunrise to sunset and perform Ganesh puja - Fast for Lord Ganesh showing that our mind is on him. Below post from Hindu-Blog.com displays how to perform Ganesh puja, its simple but remeber, if the below items are missing try your best to get them. Also if this is difficult for you, you can light a dia next to a Lord Ganesh picture, offer shower by washing Lord Ganesh's feet, placing sweet scents such as special perfume, chandan, etc..Singing the praises of Lord Ganesh with bhajans, Ganesh Chalisa, Ganesh Mantra chanting and many more. Remeber, if you face any hard ships in doing this, love counts, you can offer a leaf with great love, and it will be enough for the Lord, Love is all he wants.
This day of Tues Jan 19th 2010 is a very special day in the Hindu Calendar - It is said that if you wish to take a step towards clearing obstacles on your path towards your goal (i.e. religious, educational, work or family etc..) then you should perform vrat (fasting) and puja for Lord Ganesh on This day. Lord Ganesh ka Janam Din hain! Its his Birthday and these Jayanti days in the Hindu Calendar marks a very auspiscious day for us.
When you perform the below, begin with, Om Shrii Ganeshaya Namah, _______ Samarpayami,
i.e. Om Shrii Ganeshaya Asanam Samarpayami (I am offering a seat for you Lord Ganesh)..
(Every time when you say ''samarpayami'' (I m offering), offer with love and devotion to the lord.)
Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord)
Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Offering invitation the Lord)
Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat to the Lord)
Paadyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the feet)
Arghyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the hands)
Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (Offer water to drink)
Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath to the Lord)
Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (Give main head bath to the Lord)
Pratishtaapayaami (Make him seated)
Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes to the Lord)
Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread)
Gandham Samarpayami (Offer sandalwood paste/powder)
Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha/ Rice)
Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer Flowers to the Lord)
Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Offer the holy 108 names)
Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (Offer Fragrance / Agarbatti)
Deepam Darshayaami (Offer light to the lord)
Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer Food to the Lord)
Phalam Samarpayami (Offer Fruits to the Lord)
Taamboolam Samarpayami (Offer betel nut and leaves)
Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer money to the Lord)
Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami (Offer aarti to the Lord)
Pradakshinam Samarpayami (Taking clockwise rounds of arti)
Namaskaram Samarpayami (Offer Prostrations)
Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer incantations and flowers)
Praarthanaam Samarpayami (Offer prayers, request your desires)
Kshamaapanam Samarpayami (Offer apologies & ask for forgiveness)
From Hindu-Blog:
"Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present.
Requirements
A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.
Red flowers
Druva Grass blades
Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
Coconut
Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
Incense and agarbathis
First clean the house and take a bath.
A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.
Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.
ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam
(Rig Veda 2.23.1)
ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha (Rig Veda 10.112.9)
We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are Brahmana-spati of the brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound in treasure beyond all measure, the most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come with Your blessings and assurances of protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig Veda 2.23.1)
Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages. Without You nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our great and variegated hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)
Now Ganesha is installed in the idol and one can perform arati and light the lamps. Some people perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests, you can skip this.)
Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
Offer 21 modakas
Offer red flowers
Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).
You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.
The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.
While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need be careful is to perform the pujas with a clean body and clean mind. What is more important is devotion not the ritual. " - source; hindu-blog.com
Also, see
the post about Lord Ganesh and the history along with stories.
