The vibrant celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, kicked off on Saturday, September 7. This 10-day festival venerates Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered for wisdom, good fortune, and prosperity. Devotees across India place Ganesha idols in their homes, seeking his blessings to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
In a standout tribute, a historic 140-year-old shop in Kolkata’s Bhawanipore area has prepared a colossal ladoo weighing 500 kilograms to commemorate the festival. The giant ladoo is adorned with a variety of dry fruits including almonds, cashews, and figs. It also features kaju barfi and a modak, symbolizing Lord Ganesha’s favorite treat. A statue of Ganesha crowns the impressive offering. Priyanka Malik, the shop’s owner, explained, “Our festive season begins with Ganesh Chaturthi. We try something new every year to mark this auspicious day.”
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#WATCH | West Bengal: A sweet shop in Bhawanipore area of Kolkata prepares a 500 kg laddu, on the occasion of #GaneshChaturthi pic.twitter.com/WZ16VhlrxU
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
Unique Celebrations Across India
Ganesh Chaturthi is marked by a range of unique and creative practices across India. In Karnataka, Jaalimane Venkanna from Yellapur has dedicated over 40 years to collecting over 200 unique Ganesha idols, all of which are not painted or sculpted in conventional ways. His most cherished piece is a naturally formed Ganesha figure on a jackfruit root, which he continues to worship each year during the festival.
In a bid to promote sustainability, the Shri Durga Foundation conducted a workshop in Koppalu, Manchegowda, Karnataka, for government high school students. Over 100 children participated, crafting eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols embedded with seeds. These green idols are designed to grow into plants after immersion, reflecting the festival’s growing trend towards environmentally conscious practices.
Ganesh Chaturthi will culminate on September 17 with the immersion of idols in water bodies, marking the end of the 10-day celebration. The festival continues to be a time of joyous reverence and creative expressions of devotion across the country.
