Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival which celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is a ten-day-long observance which sees large scale festivities in most parts of India. Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the Hindu month of Bhadra which is observed either in the month of August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival begins on Shukla Chaturthi which is the fourth day of the waxing moon period and ends on the 14th day of the waxing moon period known as Anant Chaturdashi. Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 date falls on September 2 (Monday) while Anant Chaturdashi will be observed on September 12 (Thursday). As the festival approaches, we have compiled information and schedule related to the observance and related festivities. Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 Date: Significance, Rituals, Celebrations Related to the 10-Day Ganpati Utsav.

Ganesh Chaturthi is primarily celebrated in the central and western states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha. Ganeshotsav witnesses a lot of festivities in Maharashtra of which cities like Mumbai and Pune are known for celebrating Ganpati with full-fledged festivities. Pandals are set up at every nook and corner of the city where the Ganpati idol is installed. People also bring Ganpati home with singing and dancing. The idol is worshipped for 10 days following which it is immersed in a water body with music and colourful procession. Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 Modak Recipes: How to Make Malai Modak in Five Minutes, This Ganeshotsav (Watch Video)

  • Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 date falls on September 2 (Monday) which will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi that falls September 12 (Thursday).

  • There are four main rituals during the festival

1. Pranapratishhtha - The process of infusing the deity into a murti or idol.

2. Shhodashopachara - 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha.

3. Uttarpuja - Puja after which the idol is shifted.

4. Ganpati Visarjan - Immersion of the idol in a water body.

  • Modak is a special dessert prepared during the festival. The delicacy is given as prasad to those who come to offer prayers to the deity.

  • According to history, the great Maratha ruler, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja initiated the celebrations in Maharashtra by to promote culture and nationalism.

  • While it was celebrated as a public festival for a long time, Lokmanya Tilak encouraged people to celebrate it as 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".Lord Ganesha is one of the most revered Hindu Gods. Also known as 'Vighnaharta', Ganpati is believed to be the one who removes obstacles. Hence, people conduct Ganpati puja before starting a new venture. As the festival approaches, we wish everyone celebrating Happy Ganesh Chaturthi in advance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2019 01:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).