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.
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In Nagpur, morning ‘aarti’ and prayers were performed with devotion at the Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi, marking the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
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Similarly, at the Vastrapur Na Mahaganpati Temple in Ahmedabad, morning rituals were conducted to celebrate Ganeshotsav.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Also Read: Bombay High Court Orders Maharashtra to Ban Plaster of Paris Ganesh Idols for Cleaner Ganpati Visarjan
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.