Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, is a prominent figure on the exterior walls of South Indian temples in Kerala. Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival honouring Ganesha’s birth, starts on the fourth day of Bhadrapada (August-September) in the Hindu calendar. During the festival, Ganesha idols are placed on platforms in homes or elaborately decorated tents. The celebrations begin with Pranapratishtha, a ritual to breathe life into the idols, followed by Shhodashopachara, which includes sixteen forms of tribute. The idols are adorned with red sandalwood paste, yellow and red flowers, and are offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 Modaks, Ganesha’s favourite sweets. The festival culminates with grand processions where the idols are immersed in local rivers, symbolising Ganesha’s return to Mount Kailas. Ganesh Chaturthi gained prominence during Shivaji’s reign and was revived by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893, becoming a major celebration in Maharashtra and among Hindus globally.
Ganesh Chaturthi (7 September 2024)
