Ganesh Chaturthi Begins: Idols Welcomed Across India

Hindus across India began celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, welcoming brightly decorated idols of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god revered as the remover of obstacles, into homes and temporary public shrines.

In Mumbai and Hyderabad, families and community groups thronged markets to collect idols and buy flowers, sweets and other offerings. The streets of both cities filled with images of Ganesha — from small statues carried home by families to towering idols transported on trucks.

In Hyderabad, a 69-foot-tall, five-faced Ganesha idol installed in the Khairatabad neighbourhood drew devotees who gathered to offer prayers, dance and celebrate to the beat of drums. Artists were seen putting finishing touches on idols, while shoppers browsed displays and an outdoor flower market did brisk business in blooms for religious offerings.

In Mumbai, devotees carried idols to their homes and elaborately decorated community pandals, accompanied by drummers and chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya." Tracking shots showed idols being transported on trucks with devotees in tow.

The festival celebrates the birth of Ganesha, who is worshipped as the god of wisdom and prosperity. The festivities conclude with colourful processions during which the idols are immersed in bodies of water.