3 Sep :The week long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has began on Wednesday with religious fervour and gaiety while security measures are in place to ensure incident-free festivities in different parts of the country.It’s a special day for the Hindu devotees as they celebrate the Birthday of their god Ganesha for a 10 days.
He is believd to be the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and is widely worship by the Hindus as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.Earlier on Wednesday President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeted the nation on Tuesday on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Patil has asked the nation to celebrate the festival in an environment friendly way."During the period of the festival this year, people can be more aware about environment, by celebrating it in an environment friendly way," she said in her message on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ansari noted that the blessings of Lord Ganesha are solicited for the success of any auspicious work and for spiritual and material success."The festivities and sharing associated with the festival reminds us of the significance of imbibing the sublime values in our lives to usher in a humane society," he said.
Wishing joy, peace and prosperity to all Indians on the festive occasion, Dr Singh said, "Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival which brings people together, reaffirms the secular traditions of India and celebrates the spirit of brotherhood."
Lord Ganesha gets a rousing welcome in Mumbai Lord Ganesha has arrived to a rousing welcome in Mumbai heralding the commencement of the ten-day-long festivity, invoking the elephant-headed deity.
Chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya Mangal Moorti Morya’ rented the air as the idols of Ganesha known as the ‘Vignaharta’ (remover of obstacles) inched its way into the homes and hearts of Mumbaikars.
Giant idols were brought to artistically decorated ‘mandaps’ in the city late last night and devotees welcomed the arrival of Ganesha with the ‘sthapana’ of idols in sacred corners of their homes to usher in prosperity and wisdom.
After prayers, the Lord’s favourite ‘modak’ (sweets) was offered as ‘prasad’.The public celebration of the Ganpati festival, initiated by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak during the freedom struggle, has gained immense popularity over the years not only in Maharashtra but all across the country.
During the festival, cultural and musical programmes are organised and various issues of social relevance are also highlighted through this platform.The most famous Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal ‘Lalbaughcha Raja’ (King of Lalbaug) is celebrating its platinum jubilee this year.DDINEWS