Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi 2023, people place idols of Lord

Ganesha in their homes and begin the pooja with the pranapratishtha
(a ritual to invoke life in the idols), followed by shhodashopachara
(16 ways of paying tribute). Offerings are made to the lord in form of
flowers, durva, karanji, modaks, coconut, jaggery, etc. Modaks are
believed to be the favorite food of Lord Ganesha and therefore it is a
custom to offer Him modak during the Ganesha Chaturthi puja. Mantras
and hymns are recited in praise of Lord Ganesha and His blessing is
sought in form of health, wealth and wisdom. Many people also observe a
fast on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi. Apart from homes, idols are also
established in pandals and temples and puja is carried out which is joined
by thousands of devotees.

The tenth day of the festival is the day of Visarjana (immersion of

Ganesha idols in water) and is known as Anant Chaturdashi. Processions
are carried out with the idols of Lord Ganesha and large number of
people join the procession with singing and dancing. The idol is them
immersed in any nearby water body and when the idol dissolves
completely, it is believed that Lord Ganesha has returned to Kailash and
joined Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is said that when the idol of
the Ganesha is taken out for immersion, all the obstacles of the house
also come out with it. The obstacles are destroyed when the idol is
immersed in the water at the time of visarjan.

People believe that sighting the moon on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi
can create Mithya Kalank or Mithya Dosham. In this dosha, the person
can face false accusation for stealing something and therefore the
sighting of moon is avoided on this day.