Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindu festival · celebration · India · traditions

Ganesha the favorite. Ganesh Chaturthi honors Ganesha, a beloved Hindu god with an elephant's head and a human body. He is known as the remover of obstacles and a symbol of wisdom and good luck.

Beautiful statues everywhere. During the festival, people create and decorate statues called murtis of Ganesha. These are placed in homes for private worship and in elaborate public structures called pandals where communities gather to celebrate together.

Sweet treats for Ganesha. People offer modak, a special sweet dumpling believed to be Ganesha's favorite food. These delicious treats are blessed as part of the prayers and then shared with the community as prasada, a sacred gift from the gods.

Ten days of celebration. The festival lasts ten days and includes chanting of ancient hymns, prayers, and fasting by many devotees. On the final day, the celebration reaches its peak with music and group singing.

The water ceremony finale. On the tenth day, called Ananta Chaturdashi, the Ganesha statues are carried in a grand public procession and then immersed in water like rivers or the sea. In Mumbai alone, about 150,000 statues are immersed, returning Ganesha to nature and bringing the festival to a close.