Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival of Lord Ganesh. It is a 10-day festival marking the birthday of Ganesh, who is widely worshipped for auspicious beginnings. Ganesh is the patron of arts and sciences, and the deity of intellect and wisdom.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India and among the Hindu Indian diaspora, and it is observed in an especially grand manner in Maharashtra. Prior to the festival, skilled artisans prepare clay models of Lord Ganesha. Houses are cleaned as devotees prepare to bring the Lord Ganesh into their homes and install the deity. Special prayers, devotional chanting and singing are performed for all 10 days. Delicious sweets are prepared and distributed on this joyous occasion. On the 11th day, the Ganesh statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea.
This festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, and the date usually falls between Aug. 20 and Sept. 15. In 2013, Ganesh Chaturthi begins on September 9.
A volunteer tries to adjust the axe of an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh as the same is transported to a place of worship in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. The idols will be immersed in the Arabian Sea at the end of the ten day long festival. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
A
n Indian worker walks near the idols of the elephant headed Hindu God Ganesh for sales for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
n Indian worker walks near the idols of the elephant headed Hindu God Ganesh for sales for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Mumbai, India, Saturday, July 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
I
dols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh are covered with a banner featuring Congress party leaders ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Bangalore, India, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
dols of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh are covered with a banner featuring Congress party leaders ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Bangalore, India, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A
n artisan works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Bangalore, India, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
n artisan works on an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival at a workshop in Bangalore, India, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins from Sept. 9, is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A 
participant receives intructions from Happy Potter organiser Avni Varia (L) as they make environmentally-friendly clay idols of Hindu god Lord Ganesha at a pottery studio ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmedabad on September 1, 2013. The Happy potter studio held workshops for participants interested in making environmentally friendly idols which will not pollute water bodies. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, will be celebrated this year from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY (Photo credit should read SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images)
participant receives intructions from Happy Potter organiser Avni Varia (L) as they make environmentally-friendly clay idols of Hindu god Lord Ganesha at a pottery studio ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmedabad on September 1, 2013. The Happy potter studio held workshops for participants interested in making environmentally friendly idols which will not pollute water bodies. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, will be celebrated this year from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY (Photo credit should read SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images)
A
n artisan works on an idol ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Allahabad on September 1, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, will be celebrated this year from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water. AFP PHOTO/ SANJAY KANOJIA (Photo credit should read Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images)
n artisan works on an idol ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Allahabad on September 1, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, will be celebrated this year from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water. AFP PHOTO/ SANJAY KANOJIA (Photo credit should read Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images)
In
dian devotees decorate an idol of the Hindu God Lord Ganesh, on the eve of Hindu festival 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at a temple in Amritsar on September 8, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminating with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU (Photo credit should read NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)
dian devotees decorate an idol of the Hindu God Lord Ganesh, on the eve of Hindu festival 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at a temple in Amritsar on September 8, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminating with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU (Photo credit should read NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Bollywood film actor Jackie Shroff offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Bollywood film actor Jackie Shroff offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Bollywood film actor Jackie Shroff offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Bollywood film actor Jackie Shroff offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
In
dian Bollywood film actress Sambhavana Seth offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at her residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
dian Bollywood film actress Sambhavana Seth offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at her residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Bollywood film actor Jitendra offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Bollywood film actor Jitendra offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Hindu devotees gather in front of a 56-foot (17-meter) tall idol of Hindu god Lord Ganesh, popularly known as 'Khairatabad Ganesh', during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' in Hyderabad on September 8, 2013. Hindu devotees bring home idols of Lord Ganesha in order to invoke his blessings for wisdom and prosperity, during the eleven-day long Festival which culminates with the immersion of the idols in different water bodies.AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Hindu devotees gather in front of a 56-foot (17-meter) tall idol of Hindu god Lord Ganesh, popularly known as 'Khairatabad Ganesh', during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' in Hyderabad on September 8, 2013. Hindu devotees bring home idols of Lord Ganesha in order to invoke his blessings for wisdom and prosperity, during the eleven-day long Festival which culminates with the immersion of the idols in different water bodies.AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Bollywood film actor Jitendra offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Bollywood film actor Jitendra offers prayers to an idol of Hindu God Lord Ganesh during the festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' at his residence in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Hindu devotees prepare to carry an idol of lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Hindu devotees prepare to carry an idol of lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndians walks past a vehicle carrying an idol of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesh on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. The ten day long festival ends with the immersion of idols in water bodies. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
ndians walks past a vehicle carrying an idol of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesh on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. The ten day long festival ends with the immersion of idols in water bodies. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
A
n Indian artist gives final touches to an idol of lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
n Indian artist gives final touches to an idol of lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian women on a two wheeler carry idols of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesh on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. The ten day long festival ends with the immersion of idols in water bodies. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
ndian women on a two wheeler carry idols of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesh on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. The ten day long festival ends with the immersion of idols in water bodies. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Indian Hindu devotees carry an idol of lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 11-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs from September 9-19 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Hindu take home a large idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 10-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs this year from September 9-18 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in the Arabian Sea and local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Hindu take home a large idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 10-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs this year from September 9-18 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in the Arabian Sea and local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
I
ndian Hindu devotees take home an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 10-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs this year from September 9-18 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in the Arabian Sea and local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
ndian Hindu devotees take home an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on September 9, 2013. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a popular 10-day religious festival which is annually celebrated across India, runs this year from September 9-18 and culminates with the immersion of the idols in the Arabian Sea and local water bodies. AFP PHOTO/ PUNIT PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
An Indian devotee carries an idol of elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha to his home during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. The 10-day long Ganesh festival began Monday and ends with the immersion of Ganesha idols in water bodies on the 10th day. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Volunteers prepare to immerse an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in a pond during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Bangalore, India, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. The festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Worshippers carry an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha for immersion in a pond during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Bangalore, India, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. The festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Volunteers prepare to immerse the idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha and god Shiva in a pond during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Bangalore, India, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. The festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped by Hindus as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
No comments:
Post a Comment