The festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi came alive on Wednesday as thousands of devotees thronged the iconic Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha on the first day of the ten-day celebration. The festival will conclude on Anantha Chaturdashi.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, honours Lord Ganesha as the God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles, revered for wisdom and intelligence. During this period, devotees bring idols home, observe rituals and fasts, prepare festive delicacies, and visit beautifully decorated pandals across the country.
One of the major highlights is the unveiling of Mumbai’s famed Lalbaugcha Raja, regarded as a cultural and spiritual symbol of the city. Millions of devotees visit the idol every year, drawn by its artistry and religious significance. Established in 1934 by the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, the idol has been crafted and cared for by the Kambli family for over eight decades.
Earlier in July, the Maharashtra government declared public Ganeshotsav as the “Maharashtra State Festival.” Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, while making the announcement, recalled that Lokmanya Tilak had popularised the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in 1893 to foster unity and national pride.
“This festival is deeply rooted in social, national, freedom, self-respect, and linguistic pride. It continues in the same spirit today. It is a matter of pride and honour for Maharashtra,” Shelar had said in the Assembly, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of the festival.
