Home > Arts & Culture > Indian Festivals > Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
The Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and is observed throughout India with a lot of enthusiasm and fervour.

Share this Article:

Ganesh Chaturthi, Indian FestivalIn Hinduism, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is an 11 days affair marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God of wisdom and prosperity. As per the Hindu calendar, the festival begins on the fourth day of the month of Bhadrapada and according to the Gregorian calendar Ganesh Chaturthi usually falls in the months of August and September. In the year 2019, the festival was held on 2nd September.

History of Ganesh Chaturthi
The origin of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is unclear but there are many evidences which suggest that the festival can be traced back to the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was after the Mughal - Maratha wars, Shivaji initiated the festival to instil nationalistic feelings and promote cultural harmony in his subjects.

Later in the 19th century during the British Rule, since the year 1892, Indian freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and used it as a platform to spread the message of freedom struggle, which resisted the anti- public legislation ban imposed by the British government on 1892. It was Tilak who first installed large public images of Lord Ganesha in the Bombay Presidency. Eventually by 1893, he expanded the festival and promoted a communal sense of equality among the people with events which were hidden means for political activism, intellectual discourse, poetry recitals, plays, concerts, and folk dances.

Ganesh Chaturthi, Indian FestivalIn the south- western state of Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi predates the Kadama Era, who were the rulers of Goa from 10th to 14th century CE. Under the Goa Inquisition imposed by the Portuguese, Hindu festivals were banned and Hindus who had not converted to Christianity were severely restricted. In spite of the restrictions, the Hindu Goans defied the colonial rule and kept practising their religion. They worshipped Lord Ganesha in the form of a patri or leaves, which were used for the worship of the Gods.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Lord Ganesha is the God of new beginnings and the destroyer of obstacles. He is also the God of wisdom and knowledge and celebrating him brings in good fortune and prosperity to the devotees.

Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi
In the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a grand way for almost 10 days. Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes and on elaborate pandals, devotes fast for the main ritual and offer prayers while chanting sacred Vedic hymns. The primary sweet dish offered to the lord is modak, which is a dumpling, made from rice or wheat flour, stuffed with grated coconut, jaggery, dried fruits and other condiments and steamed or fried. The festival comes to an end on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. On this day, the idols of Ganesh are taken from various, localities and puja rooms for a truly royal ride. The streets of Mumbai are packed with multitudes as each locality comes out on the streets with its Ganesh.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Festivals


Festivals of Haryana
The festivals of Haryana reflect the state's rich cultural heritage and religious fervor. Celebrations like Gugga Naumi, Teej and Gangore are marked by vibrant rituals, devotional music, and community gatherings. These events not only honor traditional beliefs but also strengthen social bonds and preserve age-old customs.
Hareli Festival
Hareli Festival is a popular festival of Chhattisgarh. It is celebrated in the month of Shravan by the farmers who worship cows and other equipments used for farming. The festival honors nature and agriculture, reinforcing unity and showcasing the region’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Festivals of Telangana
Festivals of Telangana comprised of the festivals like Bonalu festival, Batakamma, Yedupayala Yatra, Sammakka Saralamma, Saralamma Jatara and many others.
Festivals of Uttar Pradesh
The festivals of Uttar Pradesh can be redefined as a spiritual canvas of soul stirring celebration.
Festivals of Tripura
The festivals of Tripura have added social and cultural vibes, which ennoble its vivacity and ebullience. These festivals are reminiscence of the social and cultural Unity of the State.
Kunda Mela
Kunda Mela is one of the famous and largest festivals of Jharkhand. The biggest attraction of this fair is the cattle trade.
Bihula Festival
Bihula Festival is one of the popular festivals in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Nalangu
In the evenings, the bride and the bridegroom sit for nalangu, which is a popular.
Tamil Nadu Temple Festivals
Tamil Nadu Temple Festivals are celebrated in different religious dwelling with pomp and show.
Goncha Festival
Goncha Festival is a popular festival of Chhattisgarh that is celebrated with much spirit by the local people in the month of July.
Baishagu Festival
Baishagu is a spring festival celebrated by the Boro tribe that marks the commencement of the New Year. It is celebrated in the month of April.
Haryana Temple Festivals
Haryana temple festivals are closely related to its miscellaneous fairs held in the temple sacred grounds.
Bathow Puja
Bathow Puja is one of the most important puja, celebrated widely in Assam in much pomp and glory.
Chandrabhaga Mela
Chandrabhaga Mela is also called as Magha Saptami. Chandrabhaga Fair is held in Odisha every year.
Solung Festival
Solung Festival is a social religious festival of the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is connected with people’s agrarian activities.
Losoong Festival
Losoong Festival is the Sikkimese New Year, of the Bhutia tribe, celebrated every year in the month of December. This festival is very famous in eastern India. Cham dances are performed by the Buddhist Monks.
Karaga Festival
Karaga is a festival where Goddess Shakti is worshipped by the Tigala community.
Sarhul Festival
Sarhul festival in Jharkhand is one of the most important festivals of the Oraon Tribe in India. This annual tribal festival is dedicated to the Nature. It is also known as "Ba Parb".
Gangaur Festival
Gangaur festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is celebrated in the state of Rajasthan.
Karma Festival
Karma Festival is a tribal festival celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.