Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi in India

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a popular Hindu festival celebrated across India with great devotion. It marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.

History:

The festival has ancient origins and has been publicly celebrated since the time of Maratha ruler Shivaji. However, it gained significant prominence when Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak championed it as a means to circumvent the colonial British government's ban on Hindu gatherings through its mass community participation.

Traditions:

• Idol Installation: Devotees install clay idols of Ganesha in homes or elaborately decorated outdoor pandals (temporary shrines or stages).
• Pranapratishtha: A ritual where chants are recited to invoke life into the idol.
• Offerings: Sweets like modaks (dumplings) believed to be Ganesha's favorite are offered along with flowers and durva grass.
• Pooja and Aarti: Daily prayers and aarti (worship with light) are performed.

Festivity Duration:

The festival lasts for 10 days, starting on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August–September), ending on Anant Chaturdashi.

Activities on the Day:

• Morning Rituals: People begin with early morning prayers and bring home the idol with chanting and music.
• Community Participation: Local communities organize cultural activities like singing, theater, and dance performances.
• Visiting Pandals: People visit numerous pandals to seek blessings from beautifully adorned Ganesha idols.

Culmination - Visarjan:

On the last day, devotees perform Ganpati Visarjan - immersing the idol in a water body while chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya" (O Lord Ganesha, come quickly next year). The immersion signifies seeing off Lord Ganesha back to his abode while taking away all obstacles from one’s life.