
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated and sought after festival of Mumbai. The festival is observed on the eve of Lord Ganesha's birthday every year during the months of August and September. Also called Ganesha Mahotsava, the festival goes on for 10 days throughout the country with States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh celebrating it in the most grandiose manner. Ganesha is one of the most revered deity of Hindus. He is known to be the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of obstacles(Vigneshvara). During the festival, Pandals are set after every few meters with loud prayers, music and enthusiastic Patrons. The festival is celebrated with an unmatched zeal and vigor. There is fun, frolic, energy and enthusiasm everywhere. The spirit of festival is so contagious that it affects everyone big, small, young, old, man, woman irrespective of their individual beliefs and faiths. The festival is also patronaged by celebrities from all walks of life like film stars, musicians, cricketers and other bigwigs. The preparations for Ganesh Mahotsava start 2-3 months before the event, with the making of clay models of the Lord. For complete ten days, Lord Ganesh is worshipped with whole-hearted devotion. On the 11th day, the image is taken into a procession, where devotees dance and sing to their heart's content. People blare 'Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya' which means 'O Father Ganesh! Come again early next year'. Eventually, the idol is immersed in the sea with reverence. Ganesh Chaturthi is a great festival of religious and social significance that puts forth the highly religious profile of the city of Mumbai.






