Ganesh Chaturthi - Festival of Lord Ganesha

Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesh Chaturthi marks his birth anniversary. This festival falls on the fourth day of month Bhadra according to the Hindu calendar and occurs in the months of August-September.

This festival is celebrated with great fervor and devotion by the Hindus. It is celebrated all over India but has a great significance in Western India. It is an 11-day festival; however, people can reduce the days to 1, 5, 7, or 9 according to their will.

An idol of Lord Ganesha of any size is brought at home, and then people worship this idol for all these days. Every day, Lord Ganesha is worshipped twice. He awakens with the morning Aarti, and then devotees make him sleep at night with the evening Aarti. Modak is the favorite Prasad of Lord Ganesha.

After giving him the Seva for the decided days, on the last day, the idol is taken with the procession, which includes music, dance, and color play. Then the idol is immersed in water. People say, “GANAPATI BAPPA MORYA, MANGAL MURTI MORYA” while saying, people say goodbye to Ganesha and invite him for the next year. He is known by different names like Vinayaka, Vighna-Harta, meaning one who removes hindrances, Buddhi Pradayaka meaning one who provides intelligence.