Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, is an auspicious Hindu festival. As per the Hindu calendar, each lunar month has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one that falls after Amavasya or the new moon is called the Vinayaka Chaturthi and the one that falls after Purnima, the full moon is known as Sankashti Chaturthi. Ganesh is depicted with an elephant’s head on a human body and in the Hindu tradition, he is the son of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is observed every month but the one that falls in the month of Bhadrapada is the most celebrated of all. In the month of July, the festival falls on July 23.
In certain parts of India, such as Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated for ten days and is a very public occasion. This remains one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the country, partly because Ganesh is one of the most popular deities for worship. His blessings are often invoked at religious ceremonies as he is the one who can remove all obstacles to success, particularly when people are starting a new business or enterprise.
One of the best places to experience the festival is in Mumbai. It particularly takes place at the towering Siddhivinayak temple, situated in the central south Mumbai neighborhood of Prabhadevi, which is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.