Ganesh Chaturthi 2018 that commemorates the birthday of Hindu God Ganesh begins today. The 10-day long festival observed with great enthusiasm in the states like Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Along with the personal Ganpati celebrations at individuals' homes, there are several Sarvajanik Pandals to celebrate the festival on a public forum. Lord Ganesha has so many stories attached to him and which give him so many names. He has 108 names and devotees make it a point to chant all his names to please him.

During the rituals, sweets, coconuts, and flowers are offered to the idol. The idols of Lord Ganesh are worshipped on all the ten days with pujas. The idol is immersed in water on Anant Chaturdashi. While some keep the idol for ten days, some prefer is keep it for lesser days. People pray to Ganesh to rid them of all their obstacles in their lives and for prosperity. Like any other Indian festival, food is an integral part of the celebration. Modak is a popular sweet dish prepared during the ten days of the festival.

Devotees chant 108 names of Lord Ganesha during the festival seeking blessings. Some of the common names by which Ganesha is known are Ganapati, Vinayaka, Maheshwara, etc. Gana in the word Ganpati means a group or a multitude. Some decipher the meaning of Gana as 'Lord of Hosts'. Lord Krishna and His 108 Names With Meanings in Hindi & English! From Govinda to Vasudeva, Chant These on Janmashtami 2018!

As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, we have compiled the list of all 108 names of Lord Ganesh:

1. Gajanana

2. Ganadhyaksha

3. Vighnaraja

4. Vinayaka

5. Dvaimatura

6. Dwimukha

7. Pramukha

8. Sumukha

9. Kriti

10. Supradipa

11. Sukhanidhi

12. Suradhyaksha

13. Surarighna

14.Mahaganapati

15. Manya

16. Mahakala

17. Mahabala

18. Heramba

19. Lambajathara

20. Haswagriva

21. Mahodara

22. Madotkata

23. Mahavira

24. Mantrine

25. Mangala Swara

26. Pramadha maha

27. Prathama

28. Prajna

29. Vighnakarta

30. Vignaharta

31. Vishwanetra

32. Viratpati

33. Shripati

34. Vakpati

35. Shringarin

36. Ashritavatsala

37. Shivapriya

38. Shighrakarina

39. Shashwata

40. Bala

41. Balotthitaya

42. Bhavatmajaya

43. Purana Purusha

44. Pushne

45. Pushkarotshipta Varine

46. Agraganyaya

47. Agrapujyaya

48. Agragamine

49. Mantrakrite

50. Chamikaraprabhaya

51. Sarvaya

52. Sarvopasyaya

53. Sarvakartre

54. Sarvanetre

55. Sarvasiddhipradaya

56. Siddhaye

57. Panchahastaya

58. Parvatinadanaya

59. Prabhave

60. Kumaragurave

61. Akshobhyaya

62. Kunjarasura Bhanjanaya

63. Pramodaya

64. Modakapriyaya

65. Kantimate

66. Dhritimate

67. Kamine

68. Kapitthapanasapriyaya

69. Brahmacharine

70. Brahmarupine

71. Brahmavidyadi Danabhuve

72. Jishnave

73. Vishnupriyaya

74. Bhakta Jivitaya

75. Jitamanmadhaya

76. Aishwaryakaranaya

77. Jyayase

78. Yaksha Kinnerasevitaya

79. Ganga Sutaya

80. Ganadhishaya

81. Gambhira Ninadaya

82. Vatave

83. Abhishtavaradaya

84. Jyotishe

85. Bhktanidhaye

86. Bhavagamyaya

87. Mangalapradaya

88. Avyaktaya

89. Aprakrita Parakramaya

90. Satyadharmine

91. Sakhaye

92. Sarasambunidhaye

93. Maheshaya

94. Divyangaya

95. Manikinkini Mekhalaya

96. Samasta Devata Murtaye

97. Sahishnave

98. Satatotthitaya

99. Vighatakarine

100. Vishwagdrishe

101. Vishwarakshakrite

102. Kalyanagurave

103. Unmattaveshaya

104. Aparajite

105. Samsta Jagadadharaya

106. Sarwaishwaryapradaya

107. Akranta Chida Chitprabhave

108. Shri Vighneshwaraya

Ganesh Chaturthi holds a very significant part in the Indian history too. In the 19th century, Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak urged people to get together and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on a large scale. The intention was to showcase protest against Britishers who did not allow large public gatherings. Over the years, the celebrations have only increased and have become one of the festivals that witnesses large enthusiastic crowds.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2018 09:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).