The ten days long festival originated during the time of the great Emperor Shivaji Maharaj is Ganesh Chathurthi, an iconic social event of Maharashtra. The epicenter of this festival is Lord Ganesh, the Elephant Headed God, worshipped as Family deity in most of the families of Peshwa dynasty.

Weeks ahead of the festival, the entire state of Maharashtra gets ready for a galore of event. Thousands and thousands of Ganesh statues are made with sand or Plaster of Paris material. Elaborate poojas are done on the day of Ganesh Chathurthi, associated to the birth of Lord Ganesh to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.

The festival begins with installing Lord Ganesh on a raised platform adorned with lot of flowers and cloths. Jaggery, modaks and red colored flowers are offered to God. The mantras and hymns from Vedas and Holy texts are chanted as a part of religious ritual and this is repeated for all the ten days.

The last day of the festival is called Visarjan or Bisarjan. The giant sized statues of Lord Ganesh are taken on processions with lakhs of devotees participating, dancing and singing, glorifying Him. The procession reaches the sea shore and the statues are immersed into the sea. With this, the celebrations of Ganesh Chathurthi comes to an end.

Ganesh Chathurthi festival is annual event falling between August and September. Though this can be perceived as a religious event, Ganesh Chathurthi aims at boosting local economy. Making thousands of statues gives earning opportunities to people skilled in that and various large scale and small scale vendors get benefitted. A social event aiming to inculcate communal harmony and peace is Ganesh Chathurthi, celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra.

Be a part of the colorful and vibrant moments during Ganesh Chathurthi festival at Maharashtra.