For years, India has been home to the joyful festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, that celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesh, affectionately called Ganpati Bappa. It is said that the Rishi Vyas invoked Lord Ganesha on earth for the first time before writing the Mahabharata. Before Lord Ganesha commenced as the Mahabharat’s scribe, the Lord was said to have been worshipped for ten days so that the epic would be written without any break.
It is believed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj revived Ganeshotsav during the Mughal era as a means of cultural preservation. Later, in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak turned it into a public festival to unite people against British rule, making it a powerful symbol of unity and social harmony. In essence, it is a reflection on India’s unity in diversity, showing the way people from all communities come together, reflecting love and devotion.
From rice modaks to motichoor laddoos, the sweetness of traditional delicacies lingered in the air for. The ten-day-long festivities concluded, marking the immersion of the idol amongst chanting of Bappa Morya.
The Voices student reporters bring the pan-India celebrations together, reflecting the resplendent atmosphere that the country basked in of its Bappa Morya.
This year, several grand and magnificent idols were displayed in Mumbai’s pandals, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship and intricate artistry of the sculptors. With the advent of technology taking over faith, the celebrations too witnessed the streak of Bappa being worshipped with utmost devotion and art.
Technology has truly created a niche for itself in the festivities, along with the conscientious decision to make ecologically sustainable Ganesha idols and not to immerse the idols in water bodies. In Delhi, the government has created 80 artificial pools for immersing Ganesha idols and Durga idols so that the leftovers of idols do not pollute the Yamuna waters.
Providing yet another example of technology-driven festivities, a QR code was placed alongside the idol of Lord Ganesha at one of Mumbai’s pandals. The code opened the way for devotees to be able to virtually view the idols and the pandal throughout the year, even long after the idol had been immersed. This pandal also displayed the Champions Trophy 2025 won by the Indian cricket team.
Several pandals installed idols of Lord Shiva alongside Lord Ganesha, with many showcasing stunningly crafted idols that beautifully blend devotion and artistry.
The rise in availability and installation of eco-friendly Ganapati idols has brought a ray of hope, an effort to protect the environment, becoming a core responsibility of people, while preserving the essence of the festival – unity and faith.
Copy Editor: Akruti Rao Kandikonda