Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated from the 4th to the 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada of the Hindu calendar. This generally corresponds to September of the Gregorian calendar.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most important deities of Hindus. This festival lasts from a day and a half to 10 days. Hindus bring clay idols of Ganesha to the home and worship them for 1-1/2 days, 5 days, or 10 days. After that, they immerse these idols in the water ponds, tanks, rivers, wells, or the sea.
This festival is also celebrated publicly. This tradition was started by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Pune, India. The Ganesh Festival has become an essential aspect of social life in Maharashtra.
Lord Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles. It is believed that Ganesha protects and removes all the perils from the lives of the people who bring Ganesh idols home. People clean every inch of the house and clothes before welcoming Ganesha. Large processions are arranged on the festival’s first and last day. Many traditional and modern musical instruments are used in these processions. Ganesha loves Modak. Hence, 21 Modakas are offered to Ganesha. Incense sticks and Dhoops are burnt before Lord Ganesha to purify the home. Arati (praising Ganesha) is sung twice a day. Garlands of flowers and Durvas (three-bladed grass) are offered every day.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in India, as well as abroad. Many non-Hindus, like Muslims, Parsis, and Sikhs, also celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm.