Its festival time all over India and today we are going to talk about the favorite festival of the people of Mumbai, the Ganesh Festival or Ganesh Chaturthi, though it’s also celebrated in other parts of India but not with such aplomb and fanfare as by Mumbaikers.  

All over India Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the occasion of Lord Ganesha’s birthday and one of the most celebrated festival, but one thing puts Ganesh puja one up from the rest that without doubt it can be said it’s the only festival involving large amount of people whereas other festivals are celebrated privately involving families and friends. 

One thing to note is that this festival was not celebrated with present fanfare till the times of Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter; he used this festival as a platform to bring people together and educate them about the evils of British rule and to galvanize support for freedom movement.   

Lord Ganesha is the favorite deity of Mumbaikers and special arrangements are made to celebrate his Birthday. Ganesh Puja is celebrated on the bright fortnight (full moon) of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar and lasts for eleven days – generally the eleventh day is for immersion (visarjan) of Lord Ganesh idol though it can be performed on any day.  

Before the actual festival begins people bring small idols of Ganesha to their homes for worshipping and prepare favorite sweet of Lord Ganesha called modaka or kadubu. In the morning elaborate prayers are offered to the deity. 

Other important aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi is fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets offered to Lord Ganeshsa. 

The importance of this festival can be judged from the facts that in Mumbai special arrangemnts are made to to celebrate this festival. Every locality erects its own elaborate pandal (tent) to celebrate the festival where puja and other cultural activities are performed collectively. There are even prizes for being the best pandal in town. The amounts spend on decorating these pandals range from Rs 7 crore GSB Mandal Ganpati in Wadala to the strangest, like a Harry Potter version in South Mumbai. 

Wishing all readers a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and signing off with ganpati bappa morya mangal murti morya.