What is Ganesh Chaturthi and how is it celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, deity of wisdom, beginnings, and the remover of obstacles.

When: The fourth day (Chaturthi) of the bright half of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada typically August or September. The festival lasts 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi.

How it is celebrated:

Day 1:

• Clay idols of Ganesha (from a few centimeters to several meters tall) are installed in homes and public pandals (temporary decorated structures)
• Priests perform Pranapratishtha the ritual to invite Ganesha's presence into the idol
• Modak (sweet steamed dumplings) Ganesha's favorite food are offered

Days 2–9:

• Twice-daily rituals with flowers, incense, lamps, and chanting
• Cultural performances music, dance, drama, religious discourses
• Community gatherings around public pandals

Day 10:

• Processions with music and dancing carry the idol through streets
• The idol is immersed in a river, lake, or sea symbolizing Ganesha's return to Mount Kailash
• The chant: "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya" (Lord Ganesha, come again soon next year)

Scale: Mumbai's celebration (especially the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal) draws millions. The festival was used by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893 to build mass community solidarity against British rule.