Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chavithi, is an opportune Hindu festival that is celebrated for 10 days every year. The festival is eminent in the Bhadra month as per the Hindu calendar which generally falls from mid-August to September. It marks the birthday of the cherished elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is known as the God of fortune, sciences, knowledge, wisdom, and opulence, and that's why most Hindus remember him and seek his blessings before starting any significant work. Lord Ganesh is known by 108 altered names like Gajanana, Vinayaka, and Vighnaharta among others.
This festival is renowned with great devotion and ecstasy by Hindus throughout the world. In India, it is majorly illustrious in states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. Ganesh Chaturthi is a commemoration that marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha. This year, the whole nation will celebrate this festival on August 30. The celebrations of this festival will go on till September 10. Lord Ganesha is deliberated to be the God of beginnings. Bestowing to the Hindu Panchang, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is notable for 10 days. Know the motive why this festival the celebrations go on for 10 days below.
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi expected a public adherence when Maratha ruler Shivaji used it to rouse pro-autonomy sentiments among his subjects who were fighting the Mughals. This ritual of Ganesh Chaturthi was invigorated in the year 1893, by Lokmanya Tilak.
During British rule, the youth got prejudiced by western ideas and lifestyles. It was during this time that Lokmanya Tilak thought of Ganesha Chaturthi’s festivities. Since it has to do with Hinduism rituals and worship, the Britishers will not be able to arbitrate. In 1893, he started a community celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune to produce a common and collective Indian individuality and to bring everyone together, as part of the skirmish for independence. He held a public meeting in Pune wherein he categorical that from Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi till Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi (Anant Chaturdashi), Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated to rouse a feeling of togetherness amongst Indians and to help get independence from British rule.
Soon, people all over Maharastra began rejoicing Ganesh Chaturthi. It was from this state, that progressively the concept of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi spread in other states. People now celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by carrying an idol of Lord Ganesha into their homes and worshipping God. It is assumed that devotees who pray to Ganesha can accomplish their wishes and desires. So, the main spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi is that devotees who pray to him are set free of iniquities and it leads them on the path of acquaintance and wisdom.
Historically, the festival has been famous since the time of King Shivaji. It was during India's liberty struggle that Lokmanya Tilak changed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private celebration to a grand community festival where people from all castes of the society can come together, pray, and be amalgamated. Over the years with growing environmental consciousness, people have started naturally celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. This includes-- getting Ganesha idols made of natural clay/ mitti and using only flowers and normal items for decorating the pandals.