Beyond textual interpretations, archaeological and epigraphical evidence suggest Ganesh had become popular, was revered before the 8th century CE and numerous images of him are traceable to the 7th century or earlier. The Skanda Purana, Narada Purana and the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, in particular, profusely praise him. Ganesh appears in the medieval Puranas in the form of "god of success, obstacle remover". appears in post-Vedic texts such as the Grhya Sutras and thereafter ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Vajasaneyi Samhita, the Yajnavalkya Smriti and the Mahabharata mention Ganapati as Ganesvaras and Vinayak. However, it is uncertain that the Vedic term Ganapati which literally means "guardian of the multitudes", referred specifically to later era Ganesh, nor do the Vedic texts mention Ganesh Chaturthi. Both of these shlokas imply a role of Ganapati as "the seer among the seers, abounding beyond measure in food presiding among the elders and being the lord of an invocation", while the shloka in mandala 10 states that without Ganapati "nothing nearby or afar is performed without you", according to Michael. It appears twice in the Rigveda, once in shloka 2.23.1, as well as in shloka 10.112.9. Though not alluding to the classical form of Ganapati, the earliest mention of Ganapati is found in the Rigveda. Īt public venues, along with the reading of texts and group feasting, athletic and martial arts competitions are also held.
In the Gregorian calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi falls between 22 August and 20 September every year. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed in Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora elsewhere such as in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, other parts of the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, United States, and Europe. The festival celebrates Lord Ganesh as the God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence and is observed throughout India, especially in the states such as Maharashtra and Goa. Thereafter the clay idol dissolves and Ganesh is believed to return to Mount Kailash to Parvati and Shiva. In Mumbai alone, around 150,000 statues are immersed annually. The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called visarjan. Offerings and prasāda from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modaka as it is believed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesh. Observations include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts such as, prayers and vrata (fasting). The festival is marked with the installation of Lord Ganesh's clay murtis privately in homes and publicly by Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularly known as Lokmanya Tilak in Pune in the year 1893 on elaborate pandals (temporary stages). Read more about Ganpati Visarjan.Ganesh Chaturthi ( ISO: Gaṇeśa Caturthī), also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi ( Vināyaka Caturthī), or Vinayaka Chaviti ( Vināyaka Cavitī) is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesh to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother Goddess Parvati/ Gauri. Ganesh VisarjanĪccording to the Hindu tradition calendar from Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped with dedication and devotion for 10 days. On the 11th day, the Ganpati idol is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees. This particular festival marks the grand observances of Ganapati Visarjana and wearing of sacred silk thread that is regionally known as Ananta. It is observed religiously by the Hindus and Jains in India and Nepal. Ananta ChaturdashiĪnant Chaturdashi falls in Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturdashi. Rishi Panchami is dedicated to Saptarshis, Saints, Sages, etc. This religious important day is the fifth day that is next day after the Ganesh Chaturthi day. Rishi Panchami is also known as Bhadrapada shudhha Panchami. It is to be highly noted that the birthday (rebirth) of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Ganesha Chaturthi. As per the Hindu religious literatures and sculptures lord Ganesha is widely worshipped traditionally at the start of travel and invoked at the beginning of any new venture.