Ganesh Chaturthi  is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chavithi or sometimes Vinayagar Chaturthi and  is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period).

This festival marks on a auspicious day when Lord Ganesh  makes his presence on earth for all his devotees. The festival lasts for 10 days (depending on the place where it is celebrated), ending on Ananta Chaturdashi.

During the festival,  households worship an deity of Shri Ganesh, and there are public celebrations of the festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrated to honor the elephant-headed God Vinayaka’s birthday. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Ganesh has 108 different names and is the Lord of arts and sciences and the deva of wisdom. He is honored at the start of all rituals and ceremonies as he is considered the God of beginnings. And will remove all the obstacles that come in our life. He’s widely and dearly referred to as Ganapati or Vinayaka.

Goddess Parvati created Ganesh out of dirt off her body while having a bath and set him to guard her door while she finishes her bath. Shiva who has gone out, returned at that time, but as Ganesha didn’t know who he was   stopped him from entering. An angry Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between the two. Parvati was enraged and Shiva promised Ganesha will live again. Devas who went in search of a head facing north of a dead person could manage only the head of an elephant. Shiva fixed the elephant’s head on the child and brought him back to life.

During the festival, colorful pandals (temporary shrines) are setup and the Lord is worshiped for ten days. There are four main rituals during this festival – Pranapratishhtha – the process of infusing the deity into a murti or idol, Shhodashopachara – 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha, Uttarpuja – Puja after which the idol could be shifted after it’s infusion, Ganpati Visarjan – immersion of the Idol in the river.

On the Day of Vinaya Chaturthi people get up in the morning, then bring the idol of Lord Ganesh which is made up of Mud and decorate it will leaves and flowers. Then pray in the home and read and listen to Vinaya Vrata katha. Lot of sweets and prepared at home and offer to Ganesha.

 The festival was celebrated as a public event since the time of Maratha King Shivaji, but a Sarvajanik (Public) Ganesh deity was installed first by Bhausaheb Laxman Javale.

Lokmanya Tilak changed the festival from a private celebration to a grand public event “to bridge the gap between Brahmins and non-Brahmins and find an appropriate context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them”.

(Do Know we have posted as per Indian Time and if you live outside of Bharat and want the right local timing of the event, do check with the knowledgeable people in Local area)