At the end of the last century India saw the growth of embryonic Indian
nationalism, Bal Gangadhar Tilak the foremost leader during that time
started Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function. He started with
a motive to spread communal harmony. Thus, since 1882, the Ganesh
Chaturthi festival has been celebrated throughout Maharashtra with
community enthusiasm and participation. People from all the community
participate in the celebration. It regarded as one of the most important
festival of the Maharashtra region. It is a celebration of seven to ten
days. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and
Ganeshji is fervently worshipped for those seven to ten days. Lord
Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God of wisdom. Much
before the festival the celebration starts. People start their
preparation with great enthusiasm all over the state. This ten-day
festival begins with the installation of the deity, who is then
worshipped daily till the immersion on the final day. Small Ganesh idols
are installed in homes. Idols can tower 10m high and weigh several
tones. On the tenth and final day the festival ends with the ceremony of
immersion of the idols in the Arabian Sea. It is called Ganesh Visarjan
meaning immersan of Lord Ganesha. The processions fill the streets with
devotees singing, dancing and chanting 'Ganapati Bappa Morya'
During the immersion ceremony huge crowds move in a procession carrying
idols of Ganesha towards the Chowpatty beach where the idols are
emerged. These processions, starts in the afternoon and continue till
late night. Although this festival is observed in all parts of the
country, it is celebrated in big way in Maharashtra where it is
celebrated both publicly and privately. Apart from celebrations at home,
there are also many public celebrations called Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava.
These are community pujas held by building pandals. Maharashtra is the
most happening place to be during the time of this festival. Besides
Maharashtra, Tamilnadu is another place where the festival is celebrated
with great festivity and zeal. Lord Ganesha is worshiped in the temples
as well as at each and every home accompanied by the preparation of
'modak,' a sweet supposed to be the favorite of Lord Ganesha. Orissa and
Pune are also famous
for their celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. It is a celebration
where people from each and every community participate with excitement
and joy. During this ten days of the festival Maharashtra has a new look
altogether it is the best time to visit the place. It portrays the true
culture and tradition of the Indian beliefs.
