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A look in history at how Ganesh Chaturthi originated

A puja is performed twice a day until the idol leaves the home.

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Bollywood personalities like Salman Khan, Jeetendra, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Hritik Roshan, Shilpa Shetty, Suresh Wadekar, Govinda and a host of Marathi film and theatre actors are prominent among the celebrities who celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at their homes. The festival is celebrated by all the Hindus across the world but the Western and Southern parts of India celebrates it like no one. His name is taken before beginning any work and people say “Ganpati Bappa Mourya” as it is considered as fortunate.

On this festival Ganesh deity is kept at home and worshiped with family and friends. There are many rituals that are to be followed for welcoming Lord Ganesh and Gowri idols.

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It was popularised on a mass scale by freedom-fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak from 1893 onwards in Pune to unite the people against the British Rule and in the struggle for Indian Independence. For ten days, the city is sprinkled with majestic Ganpati pandals. Perhaps the biggest is Mumbai’s favourite Lalbaugcha Raja, who presides nonchalantly over an ocean of almost a million visitors. Danny also introduces a sculpture artist, Yusuf, who has been making Ganesha idols for years.

A procession carrying an idol of Lord Ganesha in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1948.

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Here you’ll be able to get free medical checkups, donate blood, see some dramatic performances, listen to devotional songs and eat some delicious food throughout the 10-day festival. Ganpatiphule’s Swayambhu temple is another excellent place for Ganesha darshan.

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