Ganesh Chaturthi began as a public celebration in India during the rule of Shivaji in the 17th century to encourage nationalist sentiment among his subjects fighting the Mughals. In the late 19th century, it was revived by Indian nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak to use as a rallying point against British rule banning political assemblies. Today the festival celebrating the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh is observed worldwide, especially in Maharashtra and western India.

2. Ganesh Chaturthi assumed the nature of a gala
public celebration when the Maratha ruler
Shivaji (1630–80) used it to encourage
nationalist sentiment among his subjects, who
were fighting the Mughals. In 1893, when the
British banned political assemblies, the festival
was revived by the Indian nationalist leader Bal
Gangadhar Tilak. Today the festival is
celebrated in Hindu communities worldwide
and is particularly popular in Maharashtra and
parts of western India.

3. • Lord Ganesh is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
• The family includes his brother Lord Karthikeya.
• According to a Tamil mythology, Lord Ganesha
refused to marry anyone as he felt no woman is
beautiful than his mother. Hence, his mother got him
married to a banana plant – a symbol of fertility. In
Maharashtra, Ganesha is believed to be married to
Riddhi and Siddhi.
• Hindu tradition states that Ganesha is a god of
wisdom, success and good luck.

4. Shree Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha।
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada॥
Meaning:
O Lord Ganesh who has a large body, curved trunk and
brightness of a million suns, please remove all obstacles in
my work always.

6. SWEET RECIPES
• Modak is Lord Ganesha's most favorite food.
Hence it has special importance in worship.
Traditionally, modak has sweet stuffing made
from coconut and jaggery
• Basundi
• Puran Poli
• Laddoo.

7. TREE GANESHA
Ganesha idols made of Plaster Of
Paris are attractive, cheap and easy to
make, but they can do a lot of harm to
our environment and the aquatic
animals at large .
Eco-friendly Ganesha idols are those
that are made of clay, natural fibres,
paper and other biodegradable
materials. These idols, when
immersed in water degrade faster and
do not harm the environment