Ganesh Chaturthi

Home | Fare and Festivals Nagpur | Ganesh Chaturthi

Festival of Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated through out India, but it is Maharashtra who celebrates this festival with full enthusiasm. This is one of the most fashionable festivals of Nagpur. Ganesh Utsav, which is recognized as Ganesh Chaturthi, is a prayer to Lord Ganesha, the God of knowledge. Festival of Ganesh chaturthi Nagpur had been a part of the culture of Maharashtra. The Ganesh chaturthi is said to be in custom in the society of Maharashtra since a very long time. But it is said that Ganesh festival was started in the current society of Maharashtra by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Lord Ganesh is the God of wisdom and is considered as the patron deity of Maharashtra. On the arrival of month August, preparations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi - the propitious day when Lord Ganesh was born - begin with great enthusiasm all over the state. The 11-day celebration begins with the installation of wonderfully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps (large tents), brightly decorated, depicting spiritual themes or current events. The idols of Ganesh are worshipped with families and friends. Throughout this festive period, everyone comes out of their house to celebrate the festival of joy and happiness. Lord Ganesh is worshipped in the morning and evening while Aarti is done two times.

Apart from this, to make this festival more colorful, many cultural events are organized and people contribute participation in them with keen interest. In different places various functions are organized by the neighboring people to enjoy the festival to the fullest. After ten exhilarating days comes the time to bid goodbye to the beloved God. People carry Ganesh idols in procession with music and dance for visarjan (holy farewell in which idol of god immersed in water) in the sea or nearby river or lake. Passions run high as people repeat loudly 'Ganpati bappa moraya, pudhachya varshi lavkar ya' (Oh Lord Ganesh, please come back soon next year). Hence, it is believed that the Ganesh Utsav is one of the most important festivals of Nagpur that inculcates the fortitude of brotherhood among the residents of Nagpur.