Ganapati is the son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati and is highly revered by people not only in India but across the world. This divine form is the remover of obstacles hence devotees worship Lord Ganesh with utmost faith and dedication.

In Hinduism, any auspicious occasion does not start without worshipping Lord Ganapati. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and people irrespective of their caste and creed enthusiastically participate in this festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chouti and is celebrated for a period of 10 days in most parts of the country and on the 11th day, the festival concludes with the immersion of Ganesh idol into the water.

People start their preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi well in advance and women at home make varieties of sweet dishes to offer to the deity. Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birthday of Ganapati. This festival starts on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month and ends on Anantachaturdashi.

During this festival, streets are decorated with beautiful pandals to place huge idols of Ganapati. People embellish their homes with attractive decoratives and welcome their favorite deity. All the members of the family gather for the puja and it begins with the chanting of holy mantras.

The idol of Lord Ganapati is placed on an altar and is given a sacred bath. Later, abhisheka is performed to the idol using ghee, curd, sugar, honey, and milk. Once again, the idol is given a holy bath and flowers as well as the durva grass which is considered to be propitious is offered to the Lord.

Aarti is performed to the deity and devotional songs are sung to appease the lord. Modak and gujiya which are a type of sweet dumplings are believed to be Lord Ganapati’s favorite food hence they are specially prepared during this festival and are presented as naivedyam to the lord.

The above-mentioned rituals are followed on all ten days and on the eleventh day the idols are taken out in a huge procession and are immersed in water bodies like wells, lakes, rivers, and seas.