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Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesha, one of the most important Gods of the Hindu Mythology. The festival is usually celebrated on the 4th day of Bhadarva Shukla-paksh of Hindu calendar in (August and September). According to the Hindu belief Ganeshji is worshipped first on all auspicious occasions, whether it is a marriage or a religious function. Ganeshji is the foremost god of the Hindu Pantheon. He is regarded as the destroyer of all problems and obstacles. That's the reason in Hindu family whenever they start a new venture they perform his puja he is regarded as an extremely benevolent god, fulfilling the wishes of those who pray to him sincerely. Ganesh is remembered on chauth or chaturthi, the 4th day of every month of the Hindu calendered, but most of all on Ganesh Chaturthi, which is celebrated as his birthday. On the day of the festival Hindus performs pujas at temples and even in homes. Fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets mainly ladoos are offered to him. These are some of the important aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi rituals in India. |
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It is interesting to note that the festival was not celebrated until the times of Lokamanya bal gangadhar tilak, who used it a great means to unite Hindus all over India and educate them the evils of colonization. |
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The festivities include fund-raising, building all kinds of innovative forms Ganesh idols, organizing public performances of music and dance, cooking grand feasts and making a lot of noise. The festivities end when the idol of the year is immersed in water (visarjan), accompanied by loud shouts of Ganapati Bappa Moraya! |
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