August or September, depending on the cycle of the moon, in 2010 , Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 11.  It is celebrated for the following 11 days (ending on September 22), with the biggest spectacle taking place on the last day called  Ananta Chaturdasi Day.

This Festival Begins with the installation of huge elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed  and beautifully decorated. It’s forbidden to look at the Moon on the first night as the Moon laughed at lord Ganesha when he fell from his vehicle, The Rat.  On Ananta Chaturdasi (the last day), the statues are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then immersed in the ocean or other bodies of water. In Mumbai alone, more than 150,000 statues are immersed each year !

Hindus worship idols, or statues of their gods because it gives them a visible form to pray to. they also recognize that the universe is in constant state of change. Form eventually gives away to formlessness. However, the energy still remains. The immersion of the statues in the ocean, or other bodies of water, and subsequent destruction of them serves as a reminder of this belief.

Ganpati Bappa Moraiya

So, where can you see the most impressive statues of Lord Ganesha in Mumbai ?

-> Lalbaug: Laulbaug is the home to the towering Lalbaugcha Raja. However, a great deal of patience is required to see this famous statues as it draws millions of devotees. Ganesha Gulli in Lalbaug also has one of the tallest statues in the city, at 22 feet, with impressive decorations.

-> Ketwadi: This year the Khetwadicha Raja is diamond studded and sits in arcade of mirrors and ornaments.

-> Girgaum: The 82 year old display  has a 22 foot Eco-friendly statue. Last year it won a prize for “The Best Visarjan” from Siddhivinayak Temple.

-> G.P.O Fort : This display is an exact replica of the famed religious spot Vittal Mandir in Pandharpur. It’s been created by visiting Rajasthan artists.

–> Asad Nagar, Near Andheri Sports Complex, Andheri West: Famous for lavish sets, this year it has the saras baug garden of pune

-> DN Nagar, Andheri West : The Sarvajanik Ganeshotav Mandal is into its 41st year this yer. The statue has been given the royal treatment, making Lord Ganesha the king. It looks like a scene out of the movie Jodhaa Akbar

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Ganpati Bappa Moraiya

Ganesh Chaturthi