“Ganesh Chaturthi, the ten-day Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is set to be observed from September 19th to September 28th.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his festive wishes on social media, accompanied by a photo of him worshipping Lord Ganesha. His post conveyed, ‘Wishing all countrymen a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganapati Bappa Morya!’
In another post, he extended his wishes to his fellow citizens, saying, ‘Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to my extended family across the nation. May this sacred festival, dedicated to Vighnaharta-Vinayak, bring prosperity and success to all. Ganpati Bappa Morya!’
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also sent his greetings on the occasion, writing, ‘Heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. I pray to ‘Vighnaharta-Shri Ganpati Bappa’ for your well-being.’
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde shared his festive greetings with a video message on social media, saying, ‘Happy Ganeshotsav from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to the people of the state!’
समस्त देशवासियों को श्री गणेश चतुर्थी के पावन पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
मैं विघ्नहर्ता श्री गणपति बप्पा से आप सभी के मंगल की कामना करता हूँ।गणपति बप्पा मोरया। pic.twitter.com/6qQvzHVUJO
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 19, 2023
Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi extended his wishes on social media, expressing, ‘Best wishes to all fellow citizens on Ganesh Chaturthi. May this auspicious festival bring happiness and remove all obstacles and difficulties from your lives.’
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal conveyed his greetings, writing, ‘Best wishes to all of you on the sacred occasion of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi. May happiness, prosperity, and peace fill your lives with the blessings of Ganpati Bappa. May Lord Shri Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, clear all your paths. Ganpati Bappa Morya!’
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways in the Government of India, also extended his greetings on social media to the public on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
सभी देशवासियों को गणेश चतुर्थी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
आशा करता हूं, यह शुभ पर्व आपके जीवन की सभी बाधाओं और कठिनाइयों का अंत कर, खुशियां लाए। pic.twitter.com/oL7zkkqBuI
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2023
The celebration began with a morning ‘Aarti’ at the historic Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which has stood for over two centuries as a symbol of devotion to Lord Ganesha, marking the commencement of the Ganeshotsava festivities.
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a pandal resembling Bharat’s successful lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, is open for public viewing. Numerous prominent Ganesh Utsav committees in Kolkata have constructed large and creatively themed pandals. Among them, one pandal at Kali Bari in Kolkata portrays the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Furthermore, in Pune, Maharashtra, the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust has set up another Ganesh pandal, this time with a theme centered around Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. In Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul, devotees gathered in large numbers at the Vinaynagar temple to seek the blessings of ‘Bappa.'”