Lord Ganesha is considered to be the destroyer of all obstacles. His birthday is celebrated a Ganesh Chaturthi. In Maharashtra, during Ganesh Chaturthi, everyone chants the words “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. It is a ten day long festival celebrated with great fun and joy. One can find folks gathering outside the famous Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Mumbai. This temple is considered to be the most pious spot for Ganesha worshipers. People make pandals, decorate it, place a clay statue of Lord Ganesha in it and worship it. The festival comes to an end with devotees immersing the idol in a river or sea.
The significance of the Lord being immersed in water is that, they take away our sins with them with the promise to return back again the next year. The same festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu with name Vinayaka Chaturthi. Though the name is different, celebration is done with the same zeal and excitement. In Kerala, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by doing milk Abhishekam. Elephants are worshipped all over Kerala. In Pune, people worship Lord Ganesha in the form of leaves. In Goa, it is a very homely affair. People celebrate it privately at homes, with family gatherings.
