Ganesh festival in Mumbai

Ganesh festival is a big attraction in Maharashtra. Every community expects and waits for this festival which promotes communal harmony. It is a festival where people pray to Lord Ganesh who has the face of an elephant and a god who listens to the prayers of devotees granting prosperity and good health. In Mumbai city and suburbs this festival is celebrated with pomp and devotion. One can see the entire city gets in mood of celebration. People go round visiting different statues of Ganesh in the city. The biggest and most visited statue is the one in lalbaugh in Dadar. The festival is coupled with social and spiritual meaning. You can hear hymns and Bhanjans sung in the morning and evening. Young and old from all walks of life come for the worship of lord Ganesha.

The history tells that Shivaji Maharaja, the famous Maratha ruler introduced this festival in the state. He had good intentions to promote brotherhood and unity, culture and nationalism among all the strata of the society. It was very popular and successful but during the time of freedom fighter Loymanaya Tilak it picked up the momentum. It spread all over maharshtra. People began to celebrate in Villages and at home. The statue of lord Ganesh would be brought in procession with music and dance. Eight days worshippers fast and pray. There are night vigils conducted in honor of ganesh. During these days devotees keep fast and sincerely pray to lord for obtaining blessings and graces. On the final day, the statue is taken in procession to immerse it in the sea or lake. The final day is a grand celebration as whole Mumbai stops to bid good bye to lord Ganesh. Special sweets are prepared during these days of festival. The reason for which Lokmanya Tilak started the festival were to bridge the gap between the castes, and build unity against British colonial rule. Lord Ganesh, as the much loved remover of obstacles and god for everybody, served this purpose. Today it has taken a different meaning but the festival stands for the same reason and value. If you visit Maharstra these days you can hear “Ganpati Bappa, Morya, Pudchya varshi Lavkar yaa” means Hail Ganpati Father, come quickly or soon next year”