Ganapati Bappa Morya!

I once heard someone say, India is a country where every day is a celebration. It is true. India has about 150 festivals. While some festivals are common to the whole country, some are celebrated by portions like, North/South India, States only, Religions,… Some festivals mark the beginning of a season, harvest, new year,.. And some to celebrate religious occasions like the birth of Gods, Gurus, Saints,.... Festivals are time for people to come together. Each festival in India is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and devotion.
In this post I’m covering one such festival which is celebrated with a lot of pomp and gaiety, not only in the whole of India, but in Goa too. Ganesh Chaturti, also called Ganeshotsav/ Vinayaka Chaturti, is celebrated to mark the birth of Ganesh(god of wisdom and good fortune), son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The date usually falls between 20 August and 22 September. The festival lasts for 10 days.
A few months before this festival, skilled artisans make Clay idols in the form of Ganesh. These idols are beautifully painted and decorated for the occasion. Ganesh Chaturti can be celebrated among the members of one family or among several families as one. The end of the festival is marked by Ganesh Visarjan, which is the immersion of the idol in the river, well or sea to mark the journey of the lord to Kailash. During the procession that precedes the Visarjan, devotees sing and dance and chant “Ganapati Bappa Morya” in the praise of lord Ganesh.
This picture was clicked at Parag’s home where Ganesh chaturti is celebrated with lot of splendor.



And this was at his cousin Kushal's house.