Scores of Hindu devotees of the elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesha, immersed themselves in the festive spirit as they mark the beginning of the 10-day-long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted the people of India and extended his wishes that the festival would bring good fortune, success, and prosperity to everybody's lives.
"Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to my family members across the country. May this holy festival associated with the worship of 'Vighnaharta-Vinayak' bring good luck, success and prosperity in the lives of all of you. Ganpati Bappa Morya!" Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi festival and prays for people of India
© Photo : Twitter/@narendramodi
President Droupadi Murmu extended her wishes to her countrymen on Ganesh Chaturthi festival in a message saying: "My prayer is that Vighnaharta Ganesh ji continues to remove all obstacles, and we all continue to work together to build a developed nation. Ganpati Bappa Morya!.
India's president Droupadi Murmu extends wishes to countrymen on Ganesh Chaturthi festival
© Photo : Twitter/@rashtrapatibhvn
The Ganesh Chaturthi festival also holds great significance in Hinduism as it also marks the arrival of Lord Ganesha on Earth for 10 days with his mother Goddess Parvati to bless His devotees.
Celebrities, politicians, and countless netizens have flooded social media with captivating moments of bringing Lord Ganesha's idol into their homes, as well as visiting beautifully adorned temples to pay homage to the divine deity.
Devotees fill the air with devotional chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' (Lord Ganesha Bless Us), along with resonating Sanskrit hymns and verses that celebrate Lord Ganesha's birthday.
The festival ends with the 'Ganesh Visarjan' ceremony, during which devotees immerse Lord Ganesha's idols in different water bodies like the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, or in rivers, lakes, and pools in their state or city.
The gesture marks Ganesha's return to Mount Kailash, a peak in the Himalayas where Shiva and Parvati are believed to reside.