Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival celebrated by Hindus across the world in honour of Lord Ganesha (the God with the head of an elephant). On this day, devotees pray to the God for prosperity and unhindered new beginnings. Also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ the festival is celebrated during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September), ending on the 14th day of the fortnight, called ‘Ananta Chaturdashi’. During the festival, local communities put up public pandals for mass worship, while families bring home small clay idols to pray. When the festivities end (this year, it will culminate on September 13), the idols are immersed in a large bodies of water where they disintegrate over time.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth full moon day of Bhadrapad (in between September to October) month of Hindu calendar. An idol of Lord Ganesha is brought home on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi and is immersed in water after 10 days i.e. on Anant Chaudas

Lalbaugcha Raja is Mumbai’s most famous Ganpati darshan that several devotees every year flock in to get a glimpse of. Lalbaugcha Raja idol is kept for eleven days before being immersed on the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi.
The GSB Seva Mandal Ganesh idol that has been made with over 70kg of gold and nearly 450kg silver at King Circle in Mumbai. The mandal is celebrating having completed 62 years. According to the organisers, the idol is eco-friendly, made up of clay and durva. Water-soluble colours have also been used. The idol’s 22-inch crown, both hands, the two feet, his trunk, both ears, the snake belt and severeal other articles have been made of pure gold.

Many Bollywood &Tv celebrities take lord Ganesha at their home during the festive time. This year, Mumbai alone had about 6,300 sarvajanik Ganesh pandals, more than 1.2 lakh home Ganesh idols and about 9,000 Gauri idols.

In the ongoing 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, the visarjan for Lord Ganesh has already started. Starting on the second day onwards, a few devotees have started to bid adieu to Ganapati Bappa for the year. With elaborate processions, people dancing to the tunes of popular songs, the idols were taken for immersion in parts of Maharashtra.

Enjoy the festival and may lord Ganesha fulfill all wishes.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2016!!!!!!!!!!!

  ganesh chaturthi, Ganpati utsav, lalbagcha raja