The colourful celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi last for 11 days and mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is believed to be the God of new beginnings and good fortune. He is widely worshiped as the “remover of obstacles” and as such is honoured at the beginning of rites and ceremonies marking the beginning of something new. Traveling across India at this time, especially in the central and western states, is a unique experience as communities come together to venerate Ganesha by setting up special pandals or stalls where intricately carved Ganesh idols are installed. Daily prayers and prasad are offered here, with joyous singing reverberating through the air. The most popular part of Ganesh Chaturthi, however, is its culmination when Ganesh idols are carried from across regions, accompanied by singing and dancing, to be immersed in the nearest river or sea.
