Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated from the 4th to 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada of the Hindu calendar. This generally corresponds to September of the Gregorian calendar.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most important deities of Hindus. This festival lasts from 1-1/2 days to 10 days. Hindus bring clay idols of Ganesha to the home and worship them for 1-1/2 days, 5 days, or 10 days. After that, they immerse these idols in the water ponds, tanks, rivers, well, or sea.
This festival is also celebrated publicly. This tradition was started by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Pune, India. Ganesh festival has now become an important aspect of social life in Maharashtra.
Lord Ganesha is known as the remover of the obstacle. It is believed that Ganesha protects and removes all the perils from the lives of the people who bring Ganesh idols at home. People clean every inch of the house as well as clothes before welcoming Ganesha. Large processions are arranged on the first and the last day of the festival. Many traditional, as well as modern musical instruments, are used in these processions. Ganesha loves Modak. Hence, 21 Modakas are offered to Ganesha. Incense sticks and Dhoops are burnt before Lord Ganesha to purify the home. Arati (praising Ganesha) is sung twice a day. Garlands of flowers and Durvas (three-bladed grass) are offered every day.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in India as well as abroad also. Many non-Hindus like Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs also celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm.