PM Modi Extends Ganesh Chaturthi Greetings as Festivities Begin Across India, Lalbaugcha Raja Unveiled in Mumbai

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Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended warm wishes to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, praying for peace, prosperity, and good health for all devotees. In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Heartfelt Ganesh Chaturthi wishes to all of you. May this sacred occasion filled with devotion and faith bring auspiciousness to everyone. I pray to Lord Gajanana that He blesses all His devotees with happiness, peace, and excellent health. Ganpati Bappa Morya!”

The festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, celebrates Lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, new beginnings, and prosperity. Across India and abroad, millions of devotees mark the day with prayers, decorated idols, music, dance, and vibrant processions.

In Mumbai, devotees thronged the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple since early morning to offer prayers. Homes, temples, and pandals were adorned with flowers, lights, and vibrant decorations, as families welcomed Lord Ganesh with traditional rituals, fasts, and festive delicacies.

A highlight of the celebrations in Maharashtra was the unveiling of the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on Sunday. The grand idol, revered as the most famous Ganesh murti in Mumbai, has been crafted by the Kambli family for over eight decades. The idol is housed at the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Putlabai Chawl, a tradition that began in 1934. Every year, millions of devotees gather here for darshan, making it one of the largest attractions of the Ganeshotsav season.

Adding to the grandeur, the Maharashtra government had earlier in July declared public Ganeshotsav as the “Maharashtra State Festival.” Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar made the announcement in the Legislative Assembly, recalling that the tradition of public celebrations of Ganeshotsav was pioneered by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 as a way to unite people in devotion and cultural pride.

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