Celebrating Ganesh Utsav: Destroyer of evil & fountain of knowledge!
Ganesh Utsav, as we all know, is big in Maharashtra, more so Mumbai. But it is not as if Mumbai and Maharashtra alone celebrate Ganesh Utsav. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha also celebrate birthday of Ganesha.
Hindus believe on the Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh bestowed this presence to his followers. Hindus also believe he was born on this day.
The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period).
Ganesh Utsav, Mumbai
Arguably, the biggest event the city ever sees… Like Kolkata during Durga Puja, Ganesh Utsav is nothing short of cultural extravaganza and a carnival in the city where music, plays, skips, revelry and devotion all blend into one seamless whole.
Lalbaugcha Raja of Mumbai
Of all the pandals (also called mandals) that mushroom in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi, none quite match up to the magnitude and grandeur of Lalbaugcha Raja! Spectacular!
Ganpati Utsav in Ganesh Galli (above pic) and the GSB Seva Kings Circle (below pic) are equally famous. Take a dekko!
Ganesh Utsav, Pune
While the Ganesh Utsav of Mumbai is now nationally famous, those in Pune are no less grand. Check out some of the bigger pandals in Pune city…in Dagdu Sheth for instance with its gold Ganesh of the recent past.
DagduSheth of Pune Ganesh pandals in Pune
Ganesh Utsav, Bangalore
There is nothing big and grand about festivities around Lord Ganesh during Ganesh Utsav in Bangalore, Karnataka. But what do you see in every home are small installations of home pujas. Also, friendly neighbourhood pujas are common. Take a look at Bangalore version of Ganesh Utsav.
Ganesh Puja at home, Bangalore
Ganesh Utsav, Nagpur
When one talks of big cities in Maharashtra, invariably its Mumbai and Pune. Sadly Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, gets neglected. Ganesh Chaturthi is big there too. Here’s a sample of Ganesh mandal in Dharmapeth, Nagpur.
Dharampeth, Ganapati Utsav Nagpur
Ganesh Utsav, Hyderabad
Lord Ganesha’s birthday is celebrated in a massive way in Andhra capital, Hyderabad too. Another un-notice phenomenon that the rest of India ought to know and something the news channels don’t care to show… Check out the one at Khairatabad, Hyderabad.
Ganesh Puja in Khairatabad Hyderabad
Ganesh Puja Odisha
What possibly none other than Oriyas know is Ganesh Puja is a big event all over Odisha. While in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra the occasion is to celebrate Ganesha, as the destroyer of all obstacles and harbinger of all good things; peace, prosperity, et al, in Odisha Ganesh is worshipped as the fount of knowledge.
Ganesh Puja in Odisha
All across schools, colleges, homes and even offices, the statues of Lord Ganesh are installed and a day-long puja is conducted. Children come to schools in finery and participate in the decoration and distribution of sweets and prasad after participating in the school puja. Invariably, some cultural event is also planned in the school or college premise.
Ganesh Puja homes and office, Bhubaneswar
Ganapati Bappa Moraya!
Other posts related to Ganesh Puja:
Celebs say Ganpati Bappa Morya
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