According to the Hindu calendar, the fourth day of the Shukl Paksh of the Bhadrapada month is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Prosperity. This Ganapati festival is celebrated with great pomp and show throughout India. In Maharashtra, this festival, known as Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganapati Festival, is celebrated on a grand scale. Before the year 1893, the worship of Lord Ganesha was generally confined to homes.
However, as part of the freedom movement against the British rule, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak organized public Ganesh Pooja festivities in 1893. Maharashtra witnessed the inception of these celebrations, and people actively participated in the public Ganesh Pooja events.
These events played a significant role in raising awareness among the common masses for the Indian freedom movement and fostering unity. Since then, both public and household Ganesh Pooja celebrations have been held on a large scale in Maharashtra.
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol of Lord Ganesha is installed, and the festival is celebrated for 10 days. On the 10th day, known as Anant Chaturdashi, the immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol, called Ganapati Visarjan, takes place.
The Ganpati Festival not only showcases religious but also cultural heritage. Various street plays depicting the glory of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire are staged at intersections in cities, towns, and villages.
In streets, neighborhoods, and societies, singing, dancing, dramas, rangoli (artwork), painting competitions, and various other activities are organized. On the third day of the Ganapati Festival, the arrival of Goddess Gauri is celebrated.
The idol of Goddess Gauri is adorned with ornaments and decorated in homes for three days. On the third day of her arrival, which is the fifth day of the Ganapati Festival, Goddess Gauri’s departure is observed.
During the day, the Ganapati pandals filled with devotional atmosphere during prayer times, while as the evening sets in, the roads begin to gleam with the decorations of lights. The ambiance is enhanced with music related to the worship of Lord Ganesha.
From evening till late at night, wandering around the Ganpati pandals and witnessing the beautiful and divine idols of Lord Ganesha is truly delightful. Tourists from abroad also come to Maharashtra to witness these festivals. The most Prominent Ganapati temples in Maharashtra include the Shrimant Dagdu Seth Halwai Temple in Pune and the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai.
When it comes to public Ganapati celebrations, the reverence for Lord Ganesh, represented as Lal Bag Ke Raja in Mumbai, is highly significant. Additionally, in Pune, there is great reverence and honor for five public Ganapati celebrations, known as “Panch Manachi Ganapati” in Marathi. These include the Kasaba Ganapati, Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganapati, Guruji Talim Ganapati, Tulsibag Ganapati, and Kesariwada Ganapati.
After the nine days of Ganapati Mahotsav (Ganapati Festival), on the tenth day, which is Anant Chaturdashi, the immersion of Lord Ganesh takes place. However, those who install the idol of Lord Ganesha at home may perform the immersion after one and a half days, three days, five days, or even seven days.
During the Ganapati Visarjan (immersion) procession, which takes the form of a grand procession, all the public Ganesh pandals carry the idols of Lord Ganesha.
The journey of this immersion procession is accompanied by the melodious and spirited beats of drums and tasha, which greatly uplift the spirits. The practice of playing these drums and cymbals starts months in advance, with men, women, and children enthusiastically participating. Along with the rhythmic sounds of drums and cymbals, people play with colored powders and dance, bidding farewell to Lord Ganapati.
I enjoyed watching the traditional Maharashtrian folk dance, Lezim Dance. After the rituals, prayers, and aarti, the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha is performed in nearby rivers and ponds, with the wish that Lord Ganesha returns soon next year and brings happiness and peace into our lives.
Participating in the Ganapati Festival in Maharashtra is truly delightful. This event not only celebrates religion but also introduces one to the culture in a wonderful way.
While you can visit Maharashtra anytime for sightseeing, if you get the chance, do come during the Ganapati Festival. During these days, you will experience the festive atmosphere in every corner of Maharashtra. Ganapati Bappa Morya.
In addition, the Ashtavinayak Yatra, a religious pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is highly renowned near Pune. This journey involves visiting eight Ganpati temples over the course of two days. Of these eight temples, six are located near Pune, while the remaining two are in the Raigad district. The temples are Shri Mayureshwar Temple (Morgaon, Pune), Siddhivinayak Temple (Siddhatek, Ahmednagar), Ballaleshwar Pali Temple (Pali, Raigad), Varadavinayak Temple (Mahad, Raigad), Chintamani Temple (Theur, Pune), Girijatmaka Temple (Lenyadri, Pune), Vigneshwar Temple (Ozar, Nashik), Mahaganapati Temple (Ranjangaon, Pune). Ganapati Bappa Morya.
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Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public.
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