Ganesh Chaturthi

India is a land of diverse cultures with people from different religions and faiths living together. Hinduism is the largest of all, people worship different gods and goddesses. Of all, the one god who is worshipped before anyone else is Lord Ganesh. Also known as Vignahartha (destroyer of all obstacles) Ganesh is worshipped before starting something new and is a symbol of peace and prosperity. Hence, his birthday is celebrated with great fanfare. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals in India. A day fanfare where the beloved god is worshipped and his birthday is celebrated by one and all. People from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds unite as one and participate in the festivities. Celebrated in Bhadra month as per the Hindu calendar, the onset of the festival can be witnessed across different parts of Telangana. The 11-day long festivities start with the idol of Lord Ganesh placed at pandals or at homes. The customs followed in Hyderabadi households begin with waking up early every morning during the festivities. After this, the family creates a Paalavalli, a bamboo roof that is tied on top of the idol with the help of strings. Fresh fruits, flowers, and books are kept near the idol of Ganesha. Stories of the Lord’s generosity and kindness are read by the elders of the family and mantras are chanted with akshatalu (a mixture of turmeric and raw rice) is sprinkled on the deity. Every year the pandals adopt a theme and the idol compliments it. From riding a motorbike to saving the planet, don’t be surprised if you see Lord Ganesh in a different avatar. People go pandal-hopping to view the glorious decorations and worship the god. On the final day of the festivities, these idols are immersed in large water bodies only to be welcomed next year. The capital city of Hyderabad comes alive during the festivities making it one of the best times to visit for travellers from across the world. Streets are decked up, pandals are set up across the city. Bazaars are bustling with people purchasing offerings for their beloved god - from idols to flowers and sweets. The sight of the tallest Ganesh statue at Khairatabad is not to be missed. With over 75,000 pandals across the city, this one stands tall and is visited by one and all.