Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 26: With festive fervour filling the air, Mangaluru is all set to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on August 26. Preparations are underway in full swing, with devotees eagerly bringing home Ganesha idols for worship both privately and in public celebrations.

Artisans across the city are giving their final touches to a variety of beautifully crafted idols that are expected to draw large numbers of devotees. Vehicles transporting Ganesha idols to different homes and public venues could be seen across the city on Tuesday.

One such highlight was the arrival of the idol for the 43rd Ganeshotsava organized by the Hindu Religious Service Committee of Farangipete, which was ceremoniously brought on Tuesday.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi in North India, marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. Devotees believe that Lord Ganesha visits their homes on this auspicious day, taking away sorrows and blessing them with happiness and success.

Celebrations will include both home-based and community pujas, accompanied by cultural programmes in different localities. Devotees will prepare traditional sweets like laddus and modaks, place sugarcane at house entrances, and chant the ‘sahasranama’, reciting a thousand names of Lord Ganesha.

As part of the tradition, idols made of clay will later be carried in vibrant processions, accompanied by tableaux and chants of ‘Ganapati Bappa Moriya’, before being immersed in rivers, lakes, or the sea.