View source for Ganesh Chaturthi

{{Short description|Hindu religious festival}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Ganesh Chaturthi
| type          = Hindu
| longtype      = Religious
| image         = Khairathabad Vinayakudu 2021.jpg
| caption       = [[Khairatabad Ganesh]], Hyderabad
| official_name = Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chavithi
| nickname      = Chavithi, Chouthi, Ganeshotsav, Gauri Ganesh
| observedby    = [[Hindu]]s around the world
| begins        = {{Hindu festival date}}
| ends          = 5 and 7, & 9, 11 days after the start and 21 days after the start only in some regions of India
| celebrations  = Chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, prayers, processions, idol immersion
| frequency     = Annual
| date          = Varies depending on lunar cycle as per Hindu calendar or Panchang
| month         = September - October
| date2025 = 27 August
| date2026 = 14 September 
}}
{{Hindu festival date info}}
'''Ganesh Chaturthi''' ([[ISO 15919|ISO]]: {{Transliteration|sa|ISO|Gaṇeśa Caturthī}}), also known as '''Vinayaka Chaturthi''' ({{Transliteration|sa|ISO|Vināyaka Caturthī}}) or '''Vinayaka Chavithi''' ({{Transliteration|sa|ISO|Vināyaka Cavithī}}) or '''Vinayagar Chaturthi''' ({{Transliteration|sa|ISO|Vināyagar Caturthī}}), is a [[Hindu festival]] celebrating the birthday of [[Hindu deities|Hindu deity]] [[Ganesha|Ganesh]].<ref name="gcbritannica" /> The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesha's ''[[murti]]s'' (devotional representations of a deity) privately in homes and publicly on elaborate [[pandal]]s (temporary stages). Observances include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, such as prayers and ''[[vrata]]'' (fasting).<ref name="gcbritannica" /> Offerings and ''[[prasada]]'' from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include [[South Asian sweets|sweets]] such as ''[[modak]]'' as it is believed to be a favourite of Ganesha.<ref name="goldstein82">{{cite book|title= The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets| author=Darra Goldstein|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1bCBwAAQBAJ| year=2015|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn= 978-0-19-931361-7|pages= 82, 254, 458}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=K. T. Achaya|title=A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A8ERHQAACAAJ|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-565868-2|pages=68–69, 132}}</ref> The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the ''murti'' is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called ''visarjana'' on the day of [[Anant Chaturdashi|Ananta Chaturdashi]]. In [[Mumbai]] alone, around 150,000 murtis are immersed annually.<ref name=gcbritannica>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ganesh-Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindu Festival], Encyclopædia Britannica (2014)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rove.me/to/india/ganesh-chaturthi|title=Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 in India – Dates & Map|website=rove.me|date=17 March 2023 }}</ref><ref name=taylor332>{{cite book|author1=Patrick Taylor|author2=Frederick I. Case|title=The Encyclopedia of Caribbean Religions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XOyYCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA332 |year=2013|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-09433-0|page= 332}}</ref>

The festival celebrates Ganesha as the God of New Beginnings, the Remover of Obstacles and the God of Wisdom and Intelligence,{{Sfn|Heras|1972|p=58}}{{Sfn|Getty|1936|p= 5}} and is observed throughout the [[Indian subcontinent]] by Hindus, especially in the states such as [[Maharashtra]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Odisha]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Goa]], as well as [[Nepal]].<ref name="gcbritannica" /><ref name="babb62">{{cite book|author=Lawrence A. Babb|title=The Divine Hierarchy: Popular Hinduism in Central India|url=https://archive.org/details/divinehierarchy00lawr |url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-08387-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/divinehierarchy00lawr/page/62 62]–63}}</ref> Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed by the Hindu diaspora elsewhere such as in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Canada]], [[Singapore]], [[Malaysia]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Guyana]], [[Suriname]], other parts of the [[Caribbean]], [[Fiji]], [[Mauritius]], [[South Africa]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Ramesh Dutt Ramdoyal|title=Festivals of Mauritius|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OB_gAAAAMAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Editions de l'Océan Indien|pages=21–22}}</ref> the [[United States]], and [[Europe]]. In the Gregorian calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi falls between 22 August and 20 September every year.<ref name="taylor332" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/discover/festivals.html|title=Festivals, Cultural Events and Public Holidays in Mauritius|publisher=Mauritius Tourism Authority|access-date=28 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120005942/http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/discover/festivals.html|archive-date=20 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investigacion.cchs.csic.es/concursomigraciones/content/ganesh-chaturthi|title=Ganesh Chaturthi – CONCURSO FOTOGRÁFICO: MIGRACIONES INTERNACIONALES Y FRONTERAS|website=investigacion.cchs.csic.es}}</ref>

Although the origin of Ganesh Chaturthi remains unknown, it became increasingly popular after a public celebration was initiated by the prominent Anti-Colonial Freedom Fighter, Lokamanya [[Bal Gangadhar Tilak]], in Maharashtra in the year 1893. It was a means to form a Hindu nationalist identity and rebel against British rule.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=237, 697 |language=en}}</ref> Reading of texts, feasting, athletic and martial arts competitions are held at public venues.<ref name="Grewal2009">{{cite book|author=Royina Grewal|title=The Book of Ganesha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0xzlP9CXUQsC&pg=PA143|year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-306760-3|pages=143–146}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Ganesha Basohli miniature circa 1730 Dubost p73.jpg|thumb|Ganesha, Basohli miniature, circa 1730.]]

===Ganesha===
{{further|Ganesha}}
Though not alluding to the classical form of Ganapati, the earliest mention of Ganapati is found in the ''[[Rigveda]]''. It appears twice in the ''Rigveda'', once in [[shloka]] 2.23.1, as well as in shloka 10.112.9.{{sfn| Michael|1983|pp= 99–102}}<ref name=rv2231>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_२.२३ Rigveda Mandala 2], shloka 2.23.1, Wikisource, Quote: गणानां त्वा '''गणपतिं''' हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् । ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम् ॥१॥; For translation, see Grimes (1995), pp. 17–19</ref><ref>Sanskrit Original: नि षु सीद '''गणपते गणेषु''' त्वामाहुर्विप्रतमं कवीनाम् । नgdऋते त्वत्क्रियते किं चनारे महामर्कं मघवञ्चित्रमर्च ॥९॥ – Rigveda 10.112.9; [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_१०.११२ Wikisource]</ref> Both of these shlokas imply a role of Ganapati as "the seer among the seers, abounding beyond measure in food presiding among the elders and being the lord of an invocation", while the shloka in mandala 10 states that without Ganapati "nothing nearby or afar is performed without you", according to Michael.{{sfn| Michael|1983|pp= 99–102}}<ref>[[Alain Daniélou]] (1954), The meaning of Ganapati, The Adyar library bulletin X V III. Madras: The Sanvi!! Adyar Library, pp. 110–11</ref> However, it is uncertain that the Vedic term Ganapati which literally means "guardian of the multitudes", referred specifically to later era Ganesh, nor do the Vedic texts mention Ganesh Chaturthi.{{Sfn|Grimes|1995|pp=17–19, 201}} It appears in post-Vedic texts such as the ''[[Grhya Sutras]]'' and thereafter ancient Sanskrit texts such as the ''Vajasaneyi Samhita'', the ''[[Yajnavalkya Smriti]]'' and the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' mention Ganapati as ''Ganesvaras'' and ''Vinayak''. Ganesh appears in the medieval [[Puranas]] in the form of "god of success, obstacle remover". The ''[[Skanda Purana]]'', ''[[Narada Purana]]'' and the ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'', in particular, profusely praise him.{{sfn| Michael|1983|pp= 107–09}} Beyond textual interpretations, archaeological and epigraphical evidence suggest Ganesha had become popular and was revered before the 8th century CE and numerous images of him are traceable to the 7th century or earlier.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

For example, carvings at Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples such as at the [[Ellora Caves]], dated between the 5th and 8th-century show Ganesha reverentially seated with [[Shakti]], another Hindu goddess.{{sfn| Michael|1983|pp= 109–10}}

=== Festival ===
[[File:Ganesh Agman.jpg|thumb|Ganesh Agman]]
Although it is unknown when (or how) Ganesh Chaturthi was first observed, the festival has been publicly celebrated in Pune since the era of King [[Shivaji]] (1630–1680, founder of the [[Maratha Empire]]).<ref name="Kapoor2002" />{{Better source needed|reason=where was it celebrated, at Rajgad or Raigad? How was it celebrated?|date=August 2023}} The [[Peshwa]] in the 18th century were devotees of Ganesha and started as a public Ganesh festival in their capital city of [[History of Pune|Pune]] during the month of Bhadrapad.<ref name="CourtrightObsns88">{{Cite book |editor-last1=Zelliot |editor-first1=Eleanor |editor-last2=Berntsen |editor-first2=Maxine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X6i7Np6SRfEC |title=The Experience of Hinduism: Essays on Religion in Maharashtra |date=1988-02-28 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-4384-2477-4 |pages=76–94 |chapter=The Ganesh Festival in Maharashtra: Some Observations |first=Paul B. |last=Courtright}}</ref> After the start of the [[British Raj]], the Ganesh festival lost state patronage and became a private family celebration in [[Maharashtra]] until its revival by Indian freedom fighter and social reformer [[Lokmanya Tilak]].<ref name="Kapoor2002">{{cite book|last=Kapoor|first=Subodh|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-257-7|page=2514}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Barnouw |first=Victor |date=1954 |title=The Changing Character of a Hindu Festival |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/664633 |journal=American Anthropologist |volume=56 |issue=1 |pages=74–86 |doi=10.1525/aa.1954.56.1.02a00070 |jstor=664633 |issn=0002-7294|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak,<ref name="courtright230">{{cite book|first=Paul B.|last=Courtright|title=Ganeśa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YXnXAAAAMAAJ|year=1985|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-503572-8|pages=230–37}}</ref> championed it as a means to circumvent the colonial British government ban on Hindu gatherings through its anti-public assembly legislation in 1892. Lokmanya Tilak started the festival in Pune and Girgaon, Mumbai.<ref name="parvate96">{{cite book|author=Trimbak Vishnu Parvate|title=Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A Narrative and Interpretative Review of His Life, Career and Contemporary Events|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lqE9AAAAMAAJ|year=1958|publisher=Navajivan |pages=96–102}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Sohoni | first=Ashutosh | title=Ganesh Temple at Tasgaon: Apotheosis of Maratha Temple Architecture | journal=South Asian Studies | publisher=Informa UK Limited | volume=27 | issue=1 | year=2011 | pages=51–73 | doi=10.1080/02666030.2011.556011 | s2cid=154444431 }}</ref><ref name="Roy2005p178">{{cite book|author=Christian Roy|title=Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKqOUfqt4cIC&pg=PA178 |year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-089-5|pages=178–80}}</ref>

<blockquote style="background-color:none;margin-right:5em;margin-left:0em;border-left:solid 6px #FFE0BB;padding:1.0em">
I followed with the greatest curiosity crowds who carried in procession an infinite number of idols of the God Ganesh. Each little quarter of the town, each family with its adherents, each little street corner I may almost say, organizes a procession of its own, and the poorest may be seen carrying on a simple plank their little idol or of paper mâché... A crowd, more or less numerous, accompanies the idol, clapping hands and raises cries of joy, while a little orchestra generally precedes the idol.<br />– Angelo de Gubernatis, ''Bombay Gazette'' (1886)<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard I. Cashman|title=The Myth of the Lokamanya Tilak and Mass Politics in Maharashtra |url=https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich |url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-02407-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich/page/76 76]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Robin Jeffrey|title=India: rebellion to republic, selected writings 1857–1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-rcyAAAAIAAJ|author-link =Robin Jeffrey| year= 1990|publisher= Stirling|isbn = 978-8120711075| pages= 40–41}}</ref>
</blockquote>

According to others such as Kaur, the festival became a public event later, in 1892 when Bhausaheb Laxman Javale (also known as Bhau Rangari), installed the first ''sarvajanik'' (public) Ganesha idol in Pune.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaur |first=Raminder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C8YaTX0blJcC |title=Performative Politics and the Cultures of Hinduism: Public Uses of Religion in Western India |date=2003 |publisher=Permanent Black |isbn=978-81-7824-047-3 |pages=38–48}}</ref> In 1893, the Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak praised the celebration of ''Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav'' in his newspaper, ''[[Kesari (Marathi newspaper)|Kesari]]'', and dedicated his efforts to launch the annual domestic festival into a large, well organised public event.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Metcalf|first=Thomas R.|author2=Metcalf, Barbara Daly|title=A Concise History of India|isbn=0-521-63027-4|date=26 November 2001|publisher=Cambridge University Press |url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof0000metc |page=150}}</ref> Tilak recognised Ganesh's appeal as "the god for everybody",<ref>{{Cite book |last=Momin |first=A. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MICwQzKoDO8C |title=The Legacy of G.S. Ghurye: A Centennial Festschrift |date=1996 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7154-831-6 |page=95}}</ref> and according to Robert Brown, he chose Ganesha as the god that bridged "the gap between [[Brahmins]] and non-Brahmins", thereby building a grassroots unity across them to oppose British colonial rule.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brown |first=Robert L. |title=Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God |year=1991 |publisher=State University of New York |location=Albany |isbn=0-7914-0657-1 |page=9}}</ref>

Other scholars state that the British Empire, after 1870 out of fear of seditious assemblies, had passed a series of ordinances that banned public assembly for social and political purposes of more than 20 people in British India, but exempted religious assembly for Friday mosque prayers under pressure from the Indian Muslim community. Tilak believed that this effectively blocked the public assembly of Hindus whose religion did not mandate daily prayers or weekly gatherings, and he leveraged this religious exemption to make Ganesh Chaturthi to circumvent the British colonial law on large public assembly.<ref name="courtright230" /><ref name="parvate96" /><ref name="Roy2005p178" /> He was the first to install large public images of Ganesha in pavilions in [[Bombay Presidency]], and other celebratory events at the festival.<ref>For Tilak as the first to use large public images in ''{{IAST|maṇḍapas}}'' (pavilions or tents) see: Thapan, p. 225.{{Cite book|last=Thapan |first=Anita Raina |title=Understanding Gaņapati: Insights into the Dynamics of a Cult |year=1997 |publisher=Manohar Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7304-195-4 }}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = '''God Ganesh: political obstacle remover'''
<poem>
Why shouldn't we convert the large religious festivals
into mass political rallies?
</poem>
| source = —Lokmanya Tilak, ''Kesari'', 8 September 1896<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard I. Cashman|title=The Myth of the Lokamanya Tilak and Mass Politics in Maharashtra |url=https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich |url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-02407-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich/page/75 75] with footnote 1}}</ref>
| bgcolor = #FFE0BB
| align = right
}}{{refn|group=note|The transformation of Ganesh Chaturthi into a major annual religious and politically significant procession event started in 1894. According to Aslam Syed, the Ganesh Murti immersion ritual in the western states of India may have grown because the annual gathering and procession by Shia Muslims on [[Muharram]] was allowed by the colonial British government in the 19th and early 20th century, and after the ritual mourning of the death of the 7th century Imam, they would immerse ''Tazia'' (Taboots) into river or ocean.<ref name=syed97>{{cite book|author= Aslam Syed| editor1=David Jones|editor2=Michele Marion|title=The Dynamics of Cultural Counterpoint in Asian Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3wDkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA97 |year=2014|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-1-4384-5191-6|pages=97–98}}</ref> The Hindus expanded their own Ganesh processions by walking through the streets, joyfully dancing and reciting their scriptural verses and ended their procession with a ceremonial immersion of Ganesh. The colonial British government attempted to introduce procession licence, to Muslims only, which Hindu leaders presented as evidence of discriminatory oppression by the Muslims and the British. The Hindu leaders such as Tilak defied any attempts to selectively stop the Hindu congregational gathering and processions associated with Ganesh Chaturthi.<ref name=syed97/><ref>{{cite book|author=Shabnum Tejani|title=Indian Secularism: A Social and Intellectual History, 1890–1950|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xtrPKa59j4C&pg=PA58|year=2008|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-22044-8|pages=58–61}}</ref> The right to organise processions and immersion rituals of Tazia by Muslims, and Ganesh by Hindus, have remained a religious and equal rights issue ever since, particularly when the religious calendars overlap.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-07 |title=HC's 2-hour immersion breather for home Pujas |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/HCs-2-hour-immersion-breather-for-home-Pujas/articleshow/54726509.cms |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Peter van der Veer|title=Handbook of Religion and the Asian City: Aspiration and Urbanization in the Twenty-First Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_gtaCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA95 |year=2015|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-96108-1|pages=95–100}}</ref>}}

According to Richard Cashman, Tilak recruited and passionately committed himself to god Ganesha after the 1893 Hindu-Muslim communal violence in Bombay and the Deccan riots, when he felt that the British India government under [[George Harris, 4th Baron Harris|Lord Harris]] had repeatedly taken sides and not treated Hindus fairly because Hindus were not well organised.<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard I. Cashman|title=The Myth of the Lokamanya Tilak and Mass Politics in Maharashtra |url=https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich |url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-02407-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich/page/70 70]–73}}</ref> In Tilak's estimate, Ganesha worship and processions were already popular in rural and urban Hindu populations, across social castes and classes in Baroda, Gwalior, Pune and most of the Maratha region in the 18th century.<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard I. Cashman|title=The Myth of the Lokamanya Tilak and Mass Politics in Maharashtra |url=https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich |url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-02407-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich/page/75 75]–77}}</ref> In 1893, Tilak helped expand Ganesh Chaturthi festival into a mass community event and a hidden means for political activism, intellectual discourse, poetry recitals, plays, concerts, and folk dances.<ref name="University of California press">{{cite book|last1 = Cashman|first1 = Richard I.|title = The Myth of the Lokamanya Tilak and Mass Politics in Maharashtra|date = 1975|publisher = University of California Press|location = Berkeley and Los Angeles, California|isbn = 0-520-02407-9|pages = [https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich/page/75 75]–91|url=https://archive.org/details/mythoflokamanya00rich|url-access = registration}}</ref>

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi predates the [[Kadambas of Goa|Kadamba]] era. The [[Goa Inquisition]] had banned Hindu festivals, and Hindus who did not convert to Christianity were severely restricted. However, Hindu Goans continued to practice their religion despite the restrictions. Many families worship Ganesha in the form of ''patri'' (leaves used for worshiping Ganesha or other gods), a picture is drawn on paper or small silver idols. In some households Ganesha idols are hidden, a feature unique to Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa due to a ban on clay Ganesha idols and festivals by the [[Jesuits]] as part of the Inquisition.<ref name="goa1">{{cite news|title=Of fervour & Traditions|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Of-fervour-Traditions/articleshow/3420078.cms|website=The Times of India|date=29 August 2008 |publisher=TOI|access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>

== Celebration in India ==
[[File:Chitrashalagoa.jpg|thumbnail|200px|alt=Man painting a Murti of Ganesh|Artist preparing Ganesha's image for the festival in [[Margao]], Goa]]

In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is primarily celebrated at home and in public by local community groups in the central and western states of [[Maharashtra]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Gujarat]]{{refn|group=note|"Gaṇeśacatūrthī has only recently gained some significance and is celebrated mostly in the big cities"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Basu |first=Helene |title=Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online |publisher=Brill |year=2018 |editor-last=Jacobsen |editor-first=Knut A. |chapter=Gujarat |editor-last2=Basu |editor-first2=Helene |editor-last3=Malinar |editor-first3=Angelika |editor-last4=Narayanan |editor-first4=Vasudha}}</ref>}}, [[Uttar Pradesh]] ,[[Rajasthan]] and [[Goa]] and the southern states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Telangana]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and eastern states of [[West Bengal]] and [[Odisha]] and in North eastern state of [[Assam]].

On the same day, [[Chaurchan]] festival is celebrated in [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] region of [[Bihar]] which is related to Ganesha and [[Chandra]], the Hindu moon god.<ref>{{Cite web |title=चौरचन के दिन की जाती है श्रापित चंद्र की पूजा, जानिये महत्त्व, कथा और शुभ मुहूर्त {{!}} Jansatta |url=https://www.jansatta.com/religion/chaurchan-festival-celebrated-in-mithila-bihar-is-tomorrow-know-auspicious-muhurat-importance-and-vrat-katha/1502109/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=www.jansatta.com |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajesh |date=2021-09-10 |title=Chaurchan Festival 2021 : बिहार में गणेश चतुर्थी को मनाई जाती चौरचन पूजा, जानिए क्या है चंद्र दोष |url=https://livecities.in/bihar/chaurchan-puja-is-celebrated-on-ganesh-chaturthi-in-bihar-know-what-is-chandra-dosh/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=Live Cities |language=en-CA}}</ref>

The date for the festival is usually decided by the presence of Chaturthi Thithi. The festival is held during "Bhadrapada Madyahanaa Purvabaddha". If the ''Chaturthi Thiti'' begins at night on the previous day and gets over by morning on next day, then the next day is observed as Vinayaka Chaturthi.

In the [[consecration]] ceremony, a priest performs a [[Prana Pratishtha]] to invite Ganesh like a guest. This is followed by the 16-step Shodashopachara ritual,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rituals Explained |url=http://www.thehindutemple.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=55 |access-date=21 September 2015 |website=thehindutemple.org}}</ref> (Sanskrit: ''Shodash'', 16; ''Upachara'', process) during which coconut, [[jaggery]], ''modaks'', ''[[durva]]'' grass and red [[hibiscus]] (Jaswand) flowers<ref>Kolte, R.R., Kulkarni, R.S., Shinde, P.V., Padvekar, H.K., Magadum, V.G. and Apate, S.A., Studies on the ethnomedicinal plants used on the occasion of festivals with special reference to Ratnagiri district from Maharashtra state [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vishal_Magadum/publication/308791976_Studies_on_the_ethno-medicinal_plants_used_on_the_occasion_of_festivals_with_special_reference_to_Ratnagiri_district_from_Maharashtra_state/links/57f21d0808ae91deaa561f5c/Studies-on-the-ethno-medicinal-plants-used-on-the-occasion-of-festivals-with-special-reference-to-Ratnagiri-district-from-Maharashtra-state.pdf].</ref> are offered to the idol. Depending on the region and time zone, the ceremony commences with hymns from the [[Rigveda]], the [[Ganapati Atharvashirsa]], the [[Upanishads]] and the Ganesh [[stotra]] (prayer) from the [[Narada Purana]] are chanted. In Maharashtra as well as Goa, ''[[Arti (Hinduism)|aarti]]'' is performed with friends and family, typically in the morning and evening.

In preparation for the festival, artisans create clay models of Ganesha for sale. The images (''[[Murti]]''s) range in size from {{convert|3/4|in|mm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} for homes to over {{convert|70|ft|m|order=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} for large community celebrations.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=16 September 2015 |title=Andhra laddu-maker eyes to break own Guinness Record with 8000 kg laddu |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-andhra-laddu-maker-eyes-to-break-own-guinness-record-with-8000-kg-laddu-2125608 |access-date=25 September 2015 |website=Daily News and Analysis India |quote=... ready for delivery tomorrow to an 80-feet tall Ganesh Murti put up by Visakha Integrated Social Welfare Association supported by NRIs at the Gajuwaka area in Visakhapatnam.}}</ref>

On the last day of the festival, the tradition of ''Ganesh visarjan'' or ''nimajjanam'' (lit. "immersion") takes places, when the Ganesha images are immersed in a river, sea or water body. On the last day, the devotees come out in processions carrying the idols of Ganesha, culminating in immersion. It is believed that the god who comes to the earthly realm on Ganesh Chaturthi, returns to his celestial abode after immersion. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi also denotes the significance of the cycle of birth, life and death. It is believed that when the idol of the Ganesha is taken out for immersion, it also takes away with it the various obstacles of the house and these obstacles are destroyed along with the immersion. Every year, people wait with great anticipation to celebrate the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sahu |first=Manish |date=21 August 2020 |title=What is the story behind the tradition of Ganesh visarjan? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/ganesha-chaturthi-2019-what-is-the-story-behind-the-tradition-of-ganesh-visarjan/articleshow/70878145.cms |website=Times of India}}</ref>

===Domestic celebration===
[[File:प्रतिष्ठापना केलेली मूर्ती.jpg|right|thumb|A domestic celebration of Ganesh during Ganesh Chaturthi in a Maharashtrian home]]
In [[Maharashtra]], Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Ganeshotsav. Families install small clay Murtis for worship during the festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/ganesh-chaturthi-festival-guide-1539292|title=Essential Guide to the Ganesh Festival in India|website=TripSavvy}}</ref> At home, the festival preparation includes purchases such as [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] items or accessories a few days in advance and booking the Ganesh murti as early as a month beforehand (from local artisans). The murti is brought home either a day before or on the day of the Ganesh Chaturthi itself. Families decorate a small, clean portion of the house with flowers and other colourful items before installing the idol. When the Murti is installed, it and its shrine are decorated with flowers and other materials. On the day of the festival, The ceremonial installation of the clay ''[[murti]]'' (idol) is done along with chants of holy mantras and puja including bhajans during a certain auspicious period of the day. The Murti is worshipped in the morning and evening with offerings of flowers, [[Cynodon dactylon|durva]] (strands of young grass), [[Gujia|karanji]] and modaks (jaggery and coconut flakes wrapped in rice flour dumplings).<ref name=goldstein82/><ref name=Durva>{{cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Usha|title=Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set)|date=2008|publisher=Mittal publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-8324-113-7|page=144|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sqz4eWbAMSkC&q=ganesh+durva&pg=PA143}}</ref> The worship ends with the singing of an ''[[aarti]]'' in honour of Ganesh, other Gods and Saints.

In Maharashtra the Marathi ''aarti'' "[[Sukhakarta Dukhaharta]]", composed by the 17th-century saint, [[Samarth Ramdas]] is sung.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shanbag|first1=Arun|title=Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms|date=2007|publisher=Arun Shanbag|location=Arlington, MA|isbn=978-0-9790081-0-8|pages=163|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=try8sVpY_JYC}}</ref>
Family traditions differ about when to end the celebration. Domestic celebrations end after {{frac|1|1|2}}, 3, 5, 7 or 11 days. At that time the Murti is ceremoniously brought to a body of water (such as a lake, river or the sea) for immersion. In [[Maharashtra]], Ganeshotsav also incorporates other festivals, namely [[Teej|Hartalika]] and the Gauri festival, the former is observed with a fast by women on the day before Ganesh Chaturthi whilst the latter by the installation of Murtis of Gauris.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pattanaik|first1=Devdutt|title=99 thoughts on Ganesh : [stories, symbols and rituals of India's beloved elephant-headed deity]|date=2011|publisher=Jaico Pub House|location=Mumbai|isbn=978-81-8495-152-3|page=61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC|access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> In some communities such as the [[Chitpavan]], and the [[CKP]], pebbles collected from river bank are installed as representations of Gauri.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bari|first=Prachi|title=Traditions from all over Maharashtra merge to welcome Gauri in Pune|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/traditions-from-all-over-maharashtra-merge-to-welcome-gauri-in-pune/story-sK3PpH8s2qhHizIlSQv3bN.html|access-date=28 August 2019|work=Hindustan Times|issue=30 August 2017|publisher=HT Media Limited|date=2017}}</ref>

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chavath in [[Konkani language|Konkani]] and Parab or Parva ("auspicious celebration");<ref>{{cite book|author=Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Directorate of Archives, Archaeology, and Museum|title=Purabhilekh-puratatva: Journal of the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museum, Volume 2|publisher=The Directorate, 1984|location=Panaji-Goa|page=94}}</ref> it begins on the third day of the [[lunar month]] of [[Bhadrapada]]. On this day [[Parvati]] and Shiva are worshipped by women, who fast.<ref name="GANESH CHATURTHI or CHOVOTH">{{cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/festivals/hindu-festivals/184-ganesh-chaturthi-or-chovoth|title=Ganesh Chaturhi or Chovoth|website=goatourism.gov.in|publisher=Government of Goa|ref=Goa|access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> Instruments such as [[ghumot]]s, [[crash cymbals]] (ताळ(taal) in Konkani) and [[pakhavaj]] (an Indian barrel-shaped, two-headed drum)  are played during the rituals.<ref name=ghumat>{{cite web|last1=Singbal|first1=Anwesha|title=Bringing the local beat back |url=http://www.thegoan.net/The-Great-Goan-Weekend/Kalaa/Bringing-the-local-beat-back/06095.html#.U_f_EvmSySo|website=thegoan.net/|publisher=The Goan|access-date=23 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120914/http://www.thegoan.net/The-Great-Goan-Weekend/Kalaa/Bringing-the-local-beat-back/06095.html|archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> The harvest festival, Navyachi Pancham, is celebrated the next day; freshly harvested [[Paddy (unmilled rice)|paddy]] is brought home from the fields (or temples) and a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] is conducted. Communities who ordinarily eat seafood refrain from doing so during the festival.<ref name="GANESH CHATURTHI or CHOVOTH"/>

In Karnataka the [[Gowri Habba|Gowri festival]] precedes Ganesh Chaturthi, and people across the state wish each other well. In Andhra Pradesh, Ganesh Murtis of clay (''Matti Vinayakudu'') and turmeric (''Siddhi Vinayakudu'') are usually worshipped at home with [[Plaster#Gypsum plaster (plaster of Paris)|plaster of Paris]] Murti's.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

===Public celebration===
[[File:Anant Chaturdashi.jpg|alt=Large Murti of Ganesh on the water, surrounded by people|Ganesh Visarjan in [[Mumbai]]|thumb|200px]]

[[File:Ganpati at Pune.JPG|thumb|alt=Head of a Musti of Ganesh|Ganpati idol in [[Pune]]|200px]]
Public celebrations of the festival are popular and are organized by local youth groups, neighborhood associations, or groups of tradespeople. Funds for the public festival are collected from members of the association arranging the celebration, local residents and businesses.<ref name="CourtrightObsns88" /> The Ganesh idols and accompanying Musti are installed in temporary shelters, known as mandaps or pandals. Public preparations begin months in advance. The making of the [[Murti]] in Maharashtra usually begins with "Padya pooja" or worshipping the feet of Ganesh. The Murtis are brought to "pandals" on the day or a day before the festival begins. The pandals have elaborate decoration and lighting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat, Fasting, Vrat Katha and Ganpati Visarjan information – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/ganesh-chaturthi-2020-puja-vidhi-shubh-muhurat-vrat-katha-fasting-and-ganpati-visarjan-information/articleshow/77669754.cms |access-date=22 August 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

The festival features cultural activities such as singing, theatre and orchestral performances and community activities such as free medical checkups, blood-donation sites and donations to the poor. Ganesh Chaturthi, in addition to its religious aspects, is an important economic activity in [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Nagpur]], [[Nashik]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Aurangabad]], [[Indore]],[[Agra]] ,[[Surat]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]] and [[Kurnool]]. Many artists, industries, and businesses earn a significant amount of their living from the festival, which is a stage for budding artists. Members of other religions also participate in the celebration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolhapur Muslims mark Ganesh festival with Hindu brothers in mosque|url=http://www.oneindia.com/2010/09/18/kolhapurmuslims-mark-ganesha-festival-with-hindubrothers.html|work=Oneindia|access-date=9 September 2015|date=18 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tv9 Gujarat – Hindu-Muslim celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi together, Ahmedabad|publisher=TV9 (Gujarati)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hindu, Muslim families celebrate Ganesh Puja|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Hindu,+Muslim+families+celebrate+Ganesh+Puja/1/58262.html|access-date=9 September 2015|agency=Headlines Today|publisher=India Today|date=24 August 2009}}</ref>

In Tamil Nadu, the festival, also known as ''Vinayaka Chaturthi'' or ''Pillayar Chaturthi'', falls on the fourth day after the [[new moon]] in the month of [[Tamil calendar#Months|Āvaṇi]] in the Tamil calendar. The idols are usually made of clay or [[papier-mâché]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/idol-makers-in-madurai-take-to-eco-friendly-ganeshas/articleshow/60040033.cms|title=Idol makers in Madurai take to eco-friendly Ganeshas |work=The Times of India|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref> since [[Plaster-of-Paris|Plaster of Paris]] idols have been banned by the state government,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/govt-order-rules-ganesh-chathurthi-not-violative-rights-says-madras-hc-87882|title=Govt order on rules for Ganesh Chathurthi not violative of rights, says Madras HC|date=6 September 2018|work=The News Minute|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/plaster-of-paris-ganesha-idols-banned/article19548667.ece|title=Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols banned|date=24 August 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 September 2018|author=((Special Correspondent))|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> but violations of this rule are often reported.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Raid-against-idols-made-of-plaster-of-paris/articleshow/16257874.cms|title=Raid against idols made of plaster of paris|work=The Times of India|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref> Idols are also made of coconuts and other organic products. They are worshipped for several days in pandals and immersed in the [[Bay of Bengal]] the following Sunday. In [[Kerala]] the festival is also known as ''Lamboodhara Piranalu'', which falls in the month of [[Kollam era#Months|Chingam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ganeshchaturthigifts.com/ganesh-chaturthi-pooja.html|title=Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Rituals|website=ganeshchaturthigifts.com}}</ref> In [[Thiruvananthapuram]] a procession marches from the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to [[Shankumugham Beach]], with tall Murti of Ganesha made from organic items and milk immersed in the sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ganeshotsavam.org/|title=OM GAM: GANAPATHAYE NAMAH|website=Ganeshotsavam.org|access-date=17 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925144518/http://www.ganeshotsavam.org/|archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref>

===At prominent temples===
At [[Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam|Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple]] in [[Kanipakam]], Andhra Pradesh, annual ''brahmotsavams'' will be celebrated for 21 days starting from Vinayaka Chavithi day. The processional deity of Vinayaka (Ganesh) will be taken in a procession on different ''vahanams'' on these days amidst large number of pilgrims across the country.<ref name=kanipakam>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-09-04/All-set-for-Kanipakam-temple-fest/252289| title=All set for Kanipakam temple fest | work=The Hans India | date=4 September 2016 | access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref>

==Celebration outside India==
[[File:Simon_King_Clacton_on_Sea_Ganesha_Visarjan.jpg|thumb|Ganesha Murthi are carried out into the North Sea at Clacton-on-Sea, UK.]]
[[File:Simon_King_Clacton_on_Sea_Ganesha_Visarjan_Murthi_Box.jpg|thumb|A devotee carries a box of Ganesha Murthi into the North Sea at Clacton-on-Sea, UK.]]
In Pakistan, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are conducted by the Shri Maharashtra Panchayat, an organisation for [[Maharashtrians]] in Karachi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/karachi-celebrates-ganeshotsav-with-much-zest-and-zeal-340815-2016-09-13|title=Karachi celebrates Ganeshotsav with much zest and zeal|first=Kamlesh Damodar |last=Sutar|date=September 13, 2016|website=India Today|access-date=18 December 2019}}</ref>

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the [[UK]] by the [[Hinduism in the United Kingdom|British Hindu]] population living there. The Hindu Culture and Heritage Society, a [[Southall]]-based organisation, celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi for the first time in London in 2005 at the Vishwa Hindu Temple; and the idol was immersed in the [[River Thames]] at [[Putney Pier]]{{Citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=August 2017}}. Another celebration, organised by a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] group, has been celebrated in [[Southend-on-Sea]], and attracted an estimated 18,000 devotees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/4573277.thousands-turn-out-for-hindu-festival-at-shoebury-east-beach/ |title=Thousands turn out for Hindu Festival at Shoebury East Beach|date=1 September 2009|website=Southend Standard|access-date=25 September 2015|quote=It is thought as many as 18,000 people attended from across Essex, Kent, Middlesex, London, the Midlands and even India.}} [https://www.hindujagruti.org/news/7763.html Alternate Link]</ref> Annual celebrations are also held on the [[River Mersey]] in [[Liverpool]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7615595.stm|title= River marks religious ceremony|work=bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date= 14 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/09/23/river-mersey-festival-to-celebration-hindus-birthday-of-lord-ganesh-92534-27325616/|title=Liverpool Echo: Latest Liverpool and Merseyside news, sports and what's on|work=liverpoolecho}}</ref> in the North Sea at Clacton-on-Sea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=Colourful Hindu celebrations with public procession return to seaside |url=https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/23785203.hindu-ganesa-visarjan-festival-returns-clacton/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Clacton and Frinton Gazette |language=en}}</ref> and Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ganesh Utsav Samithi Milton Keynes |url=https://ganeshutsavsamithi.org/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Ganesh Utsav Samithi, Milton Keynes}}</ref>

The Philadelphia Ganesh Festival is one of the most popular celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in North America,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/non-resident-gods-110091100082_1.html | title=Non-resident gods | work=Business Standard | date=11 September 2010 | access-date=14 October 2015 |author1=Kalyana Ramanathan |author2=Indira Kannan }}</ref> and it is also celebrated in Canada (particularly in the [[Toronto]] area), Detroit Metropolitan area-Wayne State university, Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore. The Mauritius festival dates back to 1896,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/mauritius-ganesh-chaturthi/|title=Mauritius takes the day off for Ganesh Chaturthi|website=aglobalworld.com|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205043554/http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/mauritius-ganesh-chaturthi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Mauritian government has made it a public holiday.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QFzcGV9FlxgC&q=ganesh+chaturthi+Mauritius+public+holiday&pg=PA153|title=Little India: Diaspora, Time, and Ethnolinguistic Belonging in Hindu Mauritius|publisher=University of California Press|last=Eisenlohr|first=Patrick|year=2006|page=153|isbn=9780520248793|access-date=14 October 2015}}</ref> In Malaysia and Singapore, the festival is more commonly known as Vinayagar Chaturthi because of the large Tamil-speaking Hindu minority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/hindus-celebrate-vinayagar-chathurthi/|title=Hindus celebrate Vinayagar Chathurthi|work=The Malaysian Times|date=9 September 2013|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829032448/http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/hindus-celebrate-vinayagar-chathurthi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Ghana, [[Hinduism in Ghana|ethnic African Hindus]] celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/photo-gallery/african-country-ghana-celebrates-ganesh-pooja-every-year/572560|title=अफ्रीका के घाना में हर साल विराजते हैं गणपति, 50 साल से धूमधाम से होता है 'बप्पा का स्वागत'|newspaper=Zee News|language=Hindi|date=11 September 2019|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>

In Tenerife (Spain), is one of the few places in Europe where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated publicly.<ref>[https://redqueenmusings.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/ganesha-festival-adeje/ Ganesha Festival – Adeje]</ref><ref>[http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/ganesh-chaturthi/ganesh-chaturthi-date-time.html?l=5662 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi Date and Puja Timings for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain]</ref><ref>[http://www.investigacion.cchs.csic.es/concursomigraciones/content/ganesh-chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi in Tenerife]</ref>

== Foods ==
{{multiple image
 | footer = Modaka are sweet dumplings, the traditional offerings and prasada in Ganesh Chaturthi. Left: steamed  with fillings, Right: Fried
 | image1 = Ukadiche Modak, full and split.jpg
 | width1 = 200
 | image2 = Modaks - 01.JPG
 | width2 = 150
 }}
The primary sweet dish during the festival is [[modak]] (''modak'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and Konkani, ''modakam'' or ''kudumu'' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''modaka'' or ''kadubu'' in [[Kannada]], ''kozhakatta'' or ''modakkam'' in [[Malayalam]] and ''kozhukattai'' or ''modagam'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]). A ''modak'' is a dumpling made from rice or wheat flour, stuffed with grated coconut, jaggery, dried fruits and other condiments and steamed or fried. Another popular sweet dish is the ''karanji'' (''karjikai'' in [[Kannada]]), similar to ''modak'' in composition and taste but in a semicircular shape. This sweet meal is called ''Nevri'' in Goa and is synonymous with Ganesh festival amongst the [[Goans]] and the [[Konkani people|Konkani diaspora]].<ref name=goa>{{cite web|title=Ganesh Chaturthi festival fervour grips Goa|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ganesh-chaturthi-festival-fervour-grips-goa/|website=The Indian Express|publisher=PTI|access-date=27 November 2015|date=29 August 2014}}</ref>

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ''modak'', ''laddu'', ''vundrallu'' (steamed, coarsely ground rice-flour balls), ''panakam'' (a jaggery-, black pepper- and cardamom-flavoured drink), ''vadapappu'' (soaked [[Mung bean|''moong'' lentils]]) and ''chalividi'' (a cooked rice flour and jaggery mixture) are offered to Ganesh. These offerings are known as ''[[naivedya]]'', and a plate of ''modak'' traditionally holds 21 pieces of the sweet. In Goa, ''modak'' and a [[Goan cuisine|Goan version]] of [[idli]] (''[[Sanna (dish)|sanna]]'') is popular.<ref name=sanna>{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district gazetteer, Volume 1|year=1979|publisher=Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Gazetteer Dept|page=258}}</ref>

Panchakajjaya is an offering made to Ganesh during this festival in parts of Karnataka. It is a mixture of desiccated coconut, roasted Bengal gram powder, sugar, ghee, and sesame. Different versions of ''panchakajjaya'' are made. Roasted Bengal gram, green gram, roasted ''chana dal'' (''putani'') or aval can be used.<ref>{{Cite journal |author-link=Gabriella Eichinger Ferro-Luzzi |last=Ferro-Luzzi |first=Gabriella Eichinger |date=1977 |title=Ritual as Language: The Case of South Indian Food Offerings |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2741405 |journal=Current Anthropology |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=507–514 |doi=10.1086/201930 |jstor=2741405 |issn=0011-3204|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Environmental impact ==
The Madras High Court ruled in 2004 that immersion of Ganesh idols is unlawful because it incorporates chemicals that pollute the sea water.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3638860.stm|publisher=BBC News – South Asia |title= Ganesha immersions ruled unlawful|work=bbc.co.uk|date=8 September 2004 }}</ref> In Goa the sale of plaster-of-Paris Ganesha idols has been banned by the state government and celebrants are encouraged to buy traditional, artisan-made clay idols.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/goa-bans-plaster-of-paris-ganesha-idols/article5070472.ece|title=Goa bans plaster of Paris Ganesh idols|author=((Special Correspondent))|newspaper=The Hindu|date=29 August 2013}}</ref> Recent initiatives to produce traditional clay Ganesh idols in Hyderabad have been sponsored by the [[Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chakranews.com/the-environmentally-friendly-ganesh/1683|title=The Environmentally Friendly Ganesh|work=chakranews.com|date=21 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/11/stories/2006081121960300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813091418/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/11/stories/2006081121960300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 August 2006|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title=Ganesha immersion: temple's awareness campaign finds many takers|date=11 August 2006}}</ref> Environmental concern is also making people in Gujarat to opt for Ganesh idols made with a mixture of [[cow dung]] and clay. These are marketed as "Vedic Ganesh idols" by the organization making them.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sahu|first=Manish|date=Aug 21, 2020|title=Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Artists make eco-friendly cow dung 'Vedic' Ganpati idols in Gujarat|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/ganesh-chaturthi-2020-artists-make-eco-friendly-cow-dung-vedic-ganpati-idols-in-gujarat/story-a6dLU6TzA6r8BRz5jJ28KM.html|website=hindustantimes}}</ref>

Due to environmental concerns, a number of families now avoid bodies of water and let the clay murtis disintegrate in a barrel of water at home.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} After a few days, the clay is spread in the garden. In some cities a public, eco-friendly process is used for the immersion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zha|first=Bagish K.|title=Eco-friendly 'Ganesh Visarjan' save water and soil from getting polluted in Indore|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Eco-friendly-Ganesh-Visarjan-save-water-and-soil-from-getting-polluted-in-Indore/articleshow/22808957.cms|access-date=12 February 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=20 September 2013}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|title=Cultural depictions of Ganesh Chaturthi
|width=160 | height=170
|File:Clay Ganesh Murti, Ganesh Chaturthi.JPG
  |A Ganesh idol in a home during the festival
|File:GSB_Sarvajanik_Ganeshotsav_Samiti_Wadala_02.jpg|GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti
Shree Ram Mandir, Wadala
Mumbai
|File:Lalbaug cha raja.jpg
  |Procession of [[Lalbaugcha Raja]] in [[Mumbai]]
|File:Guruji Talim Mandal.JPG
  |Procession in [[Pune]]
|File:Ganesh visarjan surat 2009.jpg
  |Procession in [[Surat]]
|File:Foreshore-Ganesh.jpg
  |Immersion in sea, [[Chennai]]
|File:Immersion-de-Ganesh.jpg
  |Immersion of idols in [[Bengaluru]]
|File:Ganesh immersion procession In London.jpg
    |Hyderabad Friends Youth Ganesh immersion procession In [[London]]    
|File:Dagadusheth Ganapati Ganeshotsva 2018.jpg
  |Celebration in [[Pune]]
|File:Juinagarcha-Raja.jpg
  |Juinagarcha-Raja [[Navi Mumbai]]
|File:Khasbag-Raja Belgaum.jpg
  |Khasbag Raja [[Belgaum]]

}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Cultural depictions of elephants]]
* [[1994 plague in India]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Getty |first=Alice |year=1936 |title=Gaṇeśa: A Monograph on the Elephant-Faced God |edition=1992 reprint |location=Oxford |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-8121503778}}
* {{Citation|series=SUNY Series in Religious Studies|last=Grimes|first=John A.|title=Ganapati: Song of the Self|year=1995|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany|isbn=0-7914-2440-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=duOe-jM8kRIC}}
* {{Citation |last=Heras |first=H. |title=The Problem of Ganapati |year=1972 |publisher=Indological Book House |location=Delhi}}
* {{cite journal|last=Michael|first=S. M.|title=The Origin of the Ganapati Cult|url=https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/1195|format=PDF|journal=Asian Folklore Studies|volume=42|issue=1|year=1983|pages=91–116|doi=10.2307/1178368|jstor=1178368|url-access=subscription|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108111228/https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/1195|url-status=dead}} [https://archive.org/details/origin-of-the-ganapati-cult/mode/2up Alternate Link]

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{Sindhi festivals}}
{{HinduFestivals}}
{{Bal Gangadhar Tilak}}
{{Bengali Hindu people}}

[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Ganesha]]
[[Category:August observances]]
[[Category:September observances]]
[[Category:Festivals in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Festivals in Telangana]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]