It’s almost time for “Ganesh Chaturthi,” our favorite holiday! In everyone’s homes and hearts, preparations are already well underway.
Did you know that the arrival of Lord Ganesh is a major festival not only in India but throughout the entire world? This is why:
A 10-day event called Ganesh Chaturthi honors the birth of Lord Ganesha. Numerous myths surround the birth of Lord Ganesha, who was the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The first day, the day that Lord Ganesha was born, is known as “Ganesh Chaturthi,” and the final day of the visarjan is known as “Anant Chaturdashi.”
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The Ganpati idols are taken for visarjan on the last day with drums and singing and are then eventually immersed in the sea. Before beginning anything new, Lord Ganesha is typically worshipped as a remover of obstacles, a fortune-teller, etc.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations as a widespread holiday started in 1893 as a result of Lokmanya Tilak’s unifying campaign. The Hindu holiday of Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Bhadrapad month (August/September). Ganesh idols made of clay, elaborate pandals, aartis, sweets like modaks and karanjis, visarjan, etc. are some customs practiced to mark the occasion.
Nearly all of India’s states celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotees, although the major events are in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, and other states. These are the top Indian states that you should not forget to include in your India tour packages if you intend to travel to India during Ganesh Chaturthi.
For many generations, the Hindu populations of various countries around the world have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. Although festivities may vary in design, worldwide rituals and commitment remain the same. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are now widespread traditions in many nations, including Canada, Mauritius, Singapore, Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Burma, France, etc. Even public holidays have been set aside in some of these nations to honor Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh Chaturthi may be a modest domestic celebration in some areas of many other nations.
Let’s have a look at how Ganesh Chaturthi has been observed in several of the countries:
- Mauritius:
Hindus make up a sizable portion of the population of Mauritius. The first day of Ganesh Chaturthi is a holiday in Mauritius. A specific Bhiwajee family in Henrietta originated the original custom of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi here. The event is observed in several of Mauritius’s regional temples as well as in private residences. Similar to the customary ceremonies, idols are built, followers visit temples, chant aartis, and engage in cultural dances. For the Ganesh visarjan, many people congregate in their local towns and cities. The best news is that you won’t need a visa to visit Mauritius if you want to see these Ganesh Chaturthi events in person. However, you will need help with the Mauritius tour packages, so look into them right now.
2. Canada
Even in Canada, particularly in the city of Toronto, there is a sizable Hindu population. Ganesh idols are purchased by many Hindus in Canada for their homes. They congregate to sing aartis, worship Lord Ganesha, and share prasad. For the occasion, numerous cultural and religious events are held. By beginning the application process for your Canada visa at least three months beforehand, you may celebrate Ganapati in a uniquely Indian-Canadian fashion.
3. The United States of America
Indians are dispersed across many American communities. They typically bring in Indian Ganpati idols and hold festivities for the whole visarjan period. One of the largest international Ganesh Chaturthi festivities takes place in Philadelphia at the Bharatiya Temple in Pennsylvania. The Sai Samsthan in Illinois hosts another lavish Ganesh Chaturthi event in the United States. The North American Sankethi Association of New York, The Hindu Temple Society in Miami, and other well-known organizations also hold Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the United States. The idols are subsequently submerged in the local sea or river. In locations like Baker Beach in the San Francisco Bay Area, one can witness the Ganpati visarjan. Get in to experience the international grandeur and commitment.
4. France
Paris hosts the largest Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in France. The Sri Manika Vinayakar temple in Paris is where the Ganpati idol is located, but there are also several smaller festivals taking place throughout France. The chariot procession held here is the main event of France’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The followers of Lord Ganesha pull a carriage with his statue on it through the streets of Paris. Along the route, men and women dressed traditionally dance and sing bhajans. As the procession moves on, two water trucks wash the road with water to sanitize Ganesh’s chariot. For the ideal way to explore France, check out our trip packages that include the Schengen visa or France visa.
5. Thailand
Thailand has a lot of Ganesha devotees and many of them are non-Hindus. In two key regions of the nation, there are significant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. One is at the Utthayan Ganesh Temple, Bangkok organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) wing of Thailand. The second one is a 38-foot-tall Ganpati idol that can be found at the Nakhon Nayok Temple, more than 100 kilometres outside Bangkok. Only homemade prasad is served here, and the idol is supposed to be entirely eco-friendly.Get your Thailand visa processed within 24 hours to not miss the festivities.
6. The United Kingdom
Given the sizeable Hindu community in the UK, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are very popular there. The London neighborhood of Hounslow celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi in grand style. More than 5,000 followers participated in the festivities. The Hindu Culture and Heritage Society of the UK in London is in charge of planning the entire event. The Laxmi Narayan Temple serves as the venue for the celebrations, which also feature a large aarti, traditional cuisine, performances, and several cultural activities. The famous Thames River is used to submerge the idol during the visarjan procession through Ham. Another sizable Ganpati event is being held close to Southend-on-Sea. Get your UK visa as early as three months before Ganesh Chaturthi if you want to attend friends’ or families’ celebrations there.
These are some of the nations where Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have been widespread custom for a very long time. To worship Ganpati, the Vighnaharta, many devotees congregate. One of the most well-known religious holidays in India is Ganesh Chaturthi. People gather to worship Lord Ganesha during this occasion. Around the world, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are widely welcomed. The Hindu diaspora has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in this way all over the world with great fervor and fanfare.
