Durva is the main component of the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganesha. Durva is a special type of sacred grass that brings the distant pure spiritual particles of Ganesha closer.

Durva is the main component of the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganesha. Durva is a special type of sacred grass that brings the distant pure spiritual particles of Ganesha closer. Durva grass has long been used in Hindu rituals, especially by those who worship Lord Ganesha. In Sanskrit, Durva also means “which is cut or eaten by animals”. In the Bhavishya Purana, Durva is stated to have appeared from Lord Vishnu’s hands and thighs as he bolstered Mt. Mandara during the Samudra Manthan. Moreover, in the Vamana Purana, Durva surfaced from the tail of Vasuki, the snake during the churning of the ocean.

Durva has the ability to absorb and emit the three Principles of Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha. Durva has the highest ability to attract the Ganesh Principle. The effect of the frequencies emitted by the Durva is on the most subtle level. The effect of the frequencies emitted by the Durva is on the gross body, the subtle body and the causal body. Hence, Durva is offered to Shri Ganeshji.

Legend has it that once Lord Ganesha was meditating, a celestial singer disturbed him by extending an invitation of marriage. When Ganesha rejected her proposal, she cursed him. This caused a burning sensation on his head for which Ganesha placed Durva on his head and the grass gave him relief. As per another legend, there was a demon called Analasur who petrified the world and the gods. The gods asked Lord Shiva to protect them from the demon and Shiva asked them to approach Ganesha. So, Ganesha fought a ferocious battle with Analasur and ended up swallowing him to protect the gods.

This built-up a lot of heat in his body. Lord Indra then gave him the moon to wear on his forehead, and Lord Vishnu gave him a lotus flower, but none could cool him down. Lord Vishnu made it rain on Ganesha. Finally, 88,000 sages conducted Archana for the Lord with 21 blades of the Durva grass which cured his stomach. It is for this reason that Lord Ganesha is worshipped with 21 blades of the grass on Ganesh Chaturthi. The use of odd numbers (minimum of 21) of the grass further promotes the entry of the divine energy into the idol. Durva is tied together, dipped in water for freshness, and then offer to the deity’s feet first and then the rest of the body. This is said to attract Ganesha the best as the principle of a deity is strongest though the feet of an idol.
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Hari Om Tat Sat Namah Shivaya ~ Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah ! 🙏✨🐘✨🙏