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A widely celebrated festival over the whole of India, the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is celebrated amidst great festivity in the port city of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The eldest son of goddess Durga, Lord Ganesh is known to be the God of Wisdom. Also known as the Ganapati, the birthday of this loving God is celebrated for ten to eleven days with much grandeur over the whole of Maharashtra.
The festival falls on the fourth day of Bhadrapada that is August-September according to the English calendar. Special preparations are made to welcome the God of power, wisdom and prosperity to usher His blessings on all.
Features:
All the houses, offices and the place of worship are first purified and then new clay models of Ganesha are bought from the market. At homes the women decorate the floors with Kolams. The face of the deity is uncovered only after the initial rituals.
The traditional puja now proceeds with the priest doing the Ganapati Aarti and Atharvashirdha or the devotional chanting. A special sweetmeat named Modak is prepared and offered to Lord Ganesha. The idol is decorated with flowers and jewels and costly cloth.
During the days of festivities, fasting and feasting is an integral part. Distribution of sweets among friends and family members are considered essential and a mark of love.
After the daily rituals, cultural programs are held in the evenings in localities which consists of traditional dances of Maharashtra along with enactments of the legends related to this elephant headed God.
The ten day festival is marked with the end of the immersion of the idols of Ganesha. A long procession consisting of cymbals, musicians, dancers, priests and the local people gather together on the roads and carry the idols on their head to the sea or tanks. The air rings with the devotional songs and the shout of 'Ganapati Bappa Maurya'.
Season:
The best time to visit Maharashtra to be a part of this grand festival is during the months of August and September.
How to Reach
Air
International flights are available from Mumbai. Domestic flights are available from the Santa Cruz airport to all the major cities of the country
Rail
Mumbai is connected to all the prime cities in the country through an extensive network of railways. The local trains in Mumbai make for the fastest and the economical mode of transport in Mumbai
Road
Maharashtra perhaps enjoys the best highways in the country. Linked with all other tourist destinations in the state, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation runs bus services. Private services are also available.
Tour to India takes you on a virtual tour of Fairs and Festivals in India. Tour to India also gives detailed information and online bookings for tours to Fairs and Festivals in Maharashtra and the Ganesh Chaturthi is one such festival in Maharashtra. To book the tour or for more information please fill up the given form below.
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