Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across India to honor Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati.
This year, the festival spans ten days, starting on September 6 and concluding on September 17. During this period, devotees bring Lord Ganesha idols into their homes, offer prayers and sweets, and seek blessings. The festival culminates with a grand public procession on Anant Chaturdashi, where the idols are immersed (Ganesh Visarjan) in rivers or the sea.
Iconic Temples
On Saturday, devotees gathered at various temples across different cities to offer prayers. The Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai, known for its grandeur and the unwavering faith of its visitors, saw a significant turnout. Located in Putalabai Chawl and celebrated at the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, this iconic pandal continues to attract large crowds.
Watch:
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Devotees throng and offer prayers at Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai on the occasion of #GaneshChaturthi pic.twitter.com/ri7OZAQBf0
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
Watch:
VIDEO | People throng Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s most famous Ganesh idol, for darshan on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.#GaneshChaturthi2024 #Ganeshotsav #LalbaugchaRaja2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/DLYPYrwyrJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 7, 2024
Also See: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Must-Visit Ganesh Temples Across India
In Nagpur, morning ‘aarti’ and prayers were performed with devotion at the Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi, marking the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
Watch:
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Morning ‘aarti’ and prayers being performed at the Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi in Nagpur, on #GaneshChaturthi festival. pic.twitter.com/jnWyQhPXVj
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
Similarly, at the Vastrapur Na Mahaganpati Temple in Ahmedabad, morning rituals were conducted to celebrate Ganeshotsav.
Watch:
#WATCH | Gujarat: Morning ‘aarti’ and prayers being performed at the Vastrapur Na Mahaganpati Temple in Ahmedabad on #GaneshChaturthi festival. pic.twitter.com/uv2XLgPsUk
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
The Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, known for its historical significance and as a major pilgrimage site, held morning ‘aarti’ and prayers for the festival. Thousands of devotees gather here annually to seek blessings.
Watch:
#WATCH Maharashtra: Morning ‘aarti’ and prayers being performed at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on #GaneshChaturthi festival. pic.twitter.com/uZIFQijy6h
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: 5 places To Witness The Biggest Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Across India
In Pune, people flocked to the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, celebrated for its grand idol and vibrant festivities. The temple, a renowned pilgrimage site, witnessed large numbers of devotees participating in religious ceremonies.
Watch:
VIDEO | Maharashtra: People throng Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple in Pune on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.#GaneshChaturthi2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/4ATRmPYX4w
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 7, 2024
Eco-Friendly Celebrations and Appeals
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in a statement on the eve of the festival, urged people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly manner. He extended his greetings and expressed hope that the elephant-headed lord would bless everyone. Shinde emphasized that Maharashtra’s rich heritage and culture are on full display during this festival and called on people to preserve its legacy.
Ganeshotsav in Mumbai: Public Celebrations
In Mumbai, more than 2,500 Ganesh mandals and countless households will be celebrating the ten-day festival. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reported receiving 3,358 applications from Ganesh mandals, which are groups that celebrate the festival in public places. As of Friday, permission had been granted to 2,635 mandals to set up pandals, while around 300 applications were still pending approval.
Security Measures in Pune
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar assured the public on Friday that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and peaceful Ganeshotsav in the city. He mentioned that 22 police help centers have been established, along with heavy security arrangements, including traffic regulations and crowd management. A total of 7,000 police officers and personnel, including SRPF and QRT teams, have been deployed to handle any situation that may arise during the festival.
