Ganesh Festival Campaign

(Sattvik Picture of Lord Ganesh by Sanatan Sanstha)

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is a day on which Lord Ganesha Lord, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees.   This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar Hindu in the month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). Typically the day falls sometime between August 20 and September 15. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi which was this past Monday.

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

While held all over India, it is at its most elaborate in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire. Outside India, it is celebrated by Newars in Nepal.

A special puja is performed for Ganesha. The worship of the deity involves getting a corner ready to receive the god. Ganesha is invited with a special phrase and with material and verbal offerings, the puja begins. It involves the panchamrut (five nectars), which includes milk, curd, ghee, honey and jaggery, with which the god's icon is bathed, cleansing in between with water.

There are large celebrations in Mumbai and also Pune and perhaps elsewhwere that I don't know.

To learn more of this holiday:

http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/ganesh/