India welcomed Lord Ganesha into homes on Wednesday as Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began across the country, with devotees from Maharashtra to Telangana bringing Ganpati Bappa home. From political leaders to Bollywood stars, wishes were extended by renowned figures on the eve.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Wednesday and wished everyone happiness, peace and good health. The official account asserted, "Wishing you all a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. May this occasion filled with faith and devotion be auspicious for everyone. I pray to Lord Gajanan to bless all his devotees with happiness, peace and good health. Ganpati Bappa Morya!.”
Chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya’ filled the morning air as small, medium, and large idols of the deity, accompanied by rhythmic beats of ‘dhol-tasha’, made their way into the devotees’ hearts and homes. Elaborate decorations have been put up all over Mumbai to welcome the Lord, revered as the harbinger of prosperity and destroyer of obstacles.
For the first time, the Maharashtra government has declared the Ganesh celebrations as a state festival. Multiple activities, programmes, celebrations, and competitions have been organised by the state culture department during these ten days of festivities. Mandals have been urged to take initiatives to raise awareness of the 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that have been accorded the UNESCO World Heritage status, as well as Operation Sindoor and the spirit of ‘swadeshi’.
The ten-day-long Ganesh festival began in Goa with traditional fervour and devotion, as people across the state welcomed the elephant-headed deity into their homes. With nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population being Hindu, the festival is celebrated in almost every household. Devotees performed rituals in the morning to mark the arrival of Lord Ganesh, after idols were brought home.
The festival also witnesses a large-scale homecoming, as Goans working outside the state or abroad return to their native villages to celebrate the occasion with their families. Hundreds of mandals (groups that celebrate the festival in public places) across the coastal state also began their celebrations after bringing in large Ganesh idols in grand processions. Many of these mandals have scheduled events for the next 10 days during the celebrations.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant extended his greetings, saying, “Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals widely celebrated with great enthusiasm, fervour and happiness.” “Ganapati Bappa is known to be a mentor, protector and remover of obstacles. Lord Ganesha is the embodiment of wisdom, learning, righteousness, good fortune and occupies a special place in the heart of his devotees. Ganesha is considered to be a ‘Vighnaharta’, ‘Mangalmurti’ and first God to receive prayers.”
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday conveyed greetings to the people on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Lakhs of Lord Ganesha idols in various sizes and forms have been installed for worship in Hyderabad and all other towns and villages in the state.
Braving rains lashing the state at several places, the devotees visited temples and offered prayers at homes on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, known as Vinayaka Chavithi in Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. This year, a 69-ft-tall idol has been installed at the Khairatabad pandal. The idol has been named as 'Viswa Santhi Maha Sakthi Ganapati', wishing for peace and happiness all over the world, organisers said.
Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with fervour as devotees thronged temples and community pandals across Bengaluru to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha on Wednesday. Long queues were witnessed outside prominent temples, including Dodda Ganapathi temple, where people offered flowers, coconuts and sweets to Lord Ganesha, with police making elaborate security arrangements across the city to ensure smooth conduct of celebrations.
Several residential areas and public places also saw the installation of Ganesha idols, with cultural programmes and community feasts planned as part of the festivities. According to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, all adequate security measures are in place for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the city.
Extra CCTVs have also been installed at major points, which have been linked with the command centre by aligning them with procession routes. Police officials at the command centre will closely monitor activities to ensure their smooth conduct, he said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday offered prayers at the Ganesh Mandir on Baba Kharag Singh Marg on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, saying she prayed for the city's progress and for the removal of all obstacles.
"I congratulate everyone across India on this occasion. May God solve all our problems. May Lord Ganesh guide Delhi on the path of progress. I have prayed to God to remove all our obstacles," Gupta told reporters after offering prayers. The chief minister was accompanied by NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal and other officials.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday visited ‘Shivtirth’, the residence of his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Raj hosts Lord Ganesh at his residence, located in the city's Dadar area, every year.
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