Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration held in honor of the birth of Lord Ganesha, a beloved Hindu god with an elephant head. The festival is celebrated throughout Hindu regions because Lord Ganesha is believed to have the power to remove obstacles and bring good fortune into people’s lives, making him known as the god of fulfillment and prosperity.

Although the festival is celebrated in many areas, Mumbai is the best place to experience it. Around 10,000 statues of Lord Ganesha are displayed throughout the city during the festival. The celebration is lively and festive, with large stages called pandals set up in various places, decorated with fresh flowers, and adorned with colorful clothing and glittering ornaments for the idols.

People celebrate the festival with various types of prayers, worship, and rituals. One of the essential rituals is the Pranapratishhtha Puja, where devotees recite mantras and offer sweets, coconut, rice, flowers, jaggery, and coins to Lord Ganesha. All these rituals continue for ten days, and on the eleventh day, a great gathering of devotees takes the idol of Lord Ganesha through the streets, loudly saying “Ganpati bapa, mouriya! Pudcha varshi, laukar ya!” (Hail Lord Ganesha, please return soon next year) before immersing it into the sea. This immersion ceremony, known as ‘visarjan,’ marks the end of the festival.

The festival takes place on the last day, Ananta Chaturdasi Day, which falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. However, it is celebrated in late August or early September, depending on the moon cycle. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 9th, and the festival lasts for eleven days. It is believed that during this time, Lord Ganesha descends to earth to stay with his devotees.

Date: August | September
State: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala