Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in most parts of India with a lot of pomp and fervour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and several other political leaders wished the people of the country on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, which marks the birth of Lord Ganesh.
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the beginning of the 10-day festival when people bring idols of the Lord to their homes and pray to him to end all their troubles in life.
“Wish you all a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi. May this auspicious occasion bring happiness, peace, fortune and good health to everyone. Ganpati Bappa Morya!" the Prime Minister tweeted in Hindi.
Celebrated in most parts of India, Ganesh Chaturthi is marked with a lot of pomp and fervour in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, Odisha, Goa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. Also known as Vighnaharta, Lord Ganesh is usually worshipped at the beginning of any puja or before starting any initiative.
"Ganpati Bappa Morya! Warm wishes to all of you on this auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. I wish Vighnaharta Ganesha makes our effort against COVID-19 successful and blesses everyone with happiness and peace. Let's all follow the Covid protocol when celebrating the festival," President Kovind tweeted in Hindi.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has urged people to restrict their celebrations to their homes and not visit pandals or crowded places. Home Minister Amit Shah also wished everyone on the occasion.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hoped for the removal of all obstacles in India's progress.
Assam Chief Minister Himata Biswa Sharma said he prayed to Lord Ganesh to bestow everyone with good health and prosperity.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor hoped that the “purveyor of enlightenment” brought happiness into everyone's lives this Ganesh Chathurthi and beyond.
Sharing a Sanskrit shloka in praise of Lord Ganesh, the Puducherry unit of BJP said, “May Lord Ganesha bless you with all the happiness & success.”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “May the blessings of Lord Ganesh bring good health, prosperity and happiness to all.”
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, too, wished people in Odia.
When the 10-day festival concludes, the Ganesh idols are immersed in a river or any other water body. The immersion signals the return of the Lord to his abode after staying with his devotees.