Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in India

Lord Ganesh is the elephant deity riding a mouse. In the Hindu mythology, there are very few Gods and Goddesses who are as popular and all pervasive. Though celebrated throughout India, the true fervor of the festival is felt in Maharashtra.

If a tourist wants too feel the pulse of Ganesh Chaturthi, there is no better place to go for a tour than Mumbai. The city of Mumbai is associated with business, glamour and a bit of history as well. The people, although thoroughly cosmopolitan, is devoutly religious and God fearing.

This religious zeal is explicitly felt during the time of Ganesh festival. The whole of Mumbai comes to a screeching halt as people come out of the house to celebrate four days of merrymaking. Visit Mumbai during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi if you want to know the people and their culture closely.

Lord Ganesh is associated with success. With a countenance that resembles an elephant and a pot - bellied human form for a body, this God is worshipped for success in education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. Ganesh is also known as the Destroyer of Pride. He is the incarnation of material universe. Ganesh occupies an extremely important place in the hierarchy of Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu mythology.

In Mumbai, the entire city stops to celebrate the worshipping of the God that symbolizes success. Huge idols of the God is prepared with clay and wood. Tents are erected in different places and are opulently decorated with lights and colors. For five days the God is worshipped and on the last day the idol is immersed in water amidst raucous cries of "Ganapathi Bappa Morya". During the days of celebration, the whole of Mumbai is decked up for the occasion. New clothes, lights and celebration marks the beginning of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Mumbai is often referred to as the economic capital of India. No wonder, the celebration too is grand. The processions that are taken out during the immersion ceremonies are worth the notice. As a tourist, you will find the large number of people quite overwhelming. But the festival has become a way of life for the people of India in general and Mumbai in particular. Celebrate the spirit of success with the rest of India in the city that throbs.