Ganesha's birthday. Indian holidays Why Ganesha is depicted with one tusk

Lord Ganesha's birthday is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. Ganesha (or Ganapati) is one of the most popular Hindu gods, worshiped by both Saivites and Vaishnavas; even Buddhists and Jains believe in it.

Known by many names, he is widely revered as Vighneshvara (Remover of Obstacles) and is therefore prayed to before starting any work or ceremony. His birthday is celebrated all over India, but is celebrated most widely in the state of Maharashtra.

For several months before this day, local artisans have been busy creating clay figurines of the deity. The images are made in a variety of sizes so that even the poorest devotee can afford to buy a figurine. On Ganesh Chaturthi, the figurine is brought into the house and installed in it. It lasts for 1, 5, 7 or 10 days. Whatever the period, the figure is worshiped with special prayers in the morning and evening, before the ceremony of immersion at the end of the festival in a river, well or sea.

In cities and villages, large figures of Ganesha are installed, which at the end of the holiday follow at the head of solemn processions. The holiday lasts 10 days and is accompanied by music and dance performances. In some parts of North India, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by schoolchildren. They decorate their writing boards with images of Ganesha and worship them; after that they walk around the village, sing songs, come to visit... Ganesha Chaturthi is considered the most auspicious day of the year for children going to school for the first time to start classes.

It is believed that you should not look at the moon on this day - it will bring bad luck. The story of this belief is as follows: one day Ganesha rode out on his vahana - a mouse. He accidentally fell off her. God Chandra (Moon) saw this and could not stop laughing. Angry, Ganesha immediately cursed him and said, “Whoever looks at the moon will be falsely accused or slandered.” Unable to bear the shame, Chandra hid in a lotus flower. When the world lost moonlight, the gods began to ask Ganesha to lift the curse. Chandra, repentant, asked for forgiveness. Ganesha reversed the curse, but insisted that Chandra's audacity not be forgotten. “Whoever sees the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi will suffer from this curse.” Therefore, if a person happens to look at the moon on this day, he can atone for his sin by throwing stones at his neighbors' house, provoking them to insult him, and thereby ending the curse. Even Lord Krishna suffered once on this day when he was falsely accused of stealing a jewel.

Lord Ganesha is considered a cheerful, sociable god. He has a good appetite and loves sweets! Therefore, piles of fruits and sweets, especially such as modak, are offered to him on this festival.

Major holidays in India in 2018 and 2019

January 5, 2018, January 13, 2019. Birthday of Guru Gobind Sinha
The birthday of the tenth and last Guru Gobind Singh is celebrated by Sikhs. On this day, large processions are organized and special prayers are said in all Sikh temples - gurudwaras.

January 17, 2019. Putrada Ekadashi
Hindus never call themselves Hindus, just as the Chinese never called themselves Chinese, and the Arabs never called themselves Arabs. Just as the British saw the Chinese as porcelain traders (China is translated from English as porcelain), and the Mesopotamians saw the representatives of the tribes invading Mesopotamia from the south, desert dwellers, vagabonds and nomads (this is how the word al-arab can be translated), the Indians called by the Persians (Hindu comes from the name of the Sindhu River - the modern Indus).

The Hindus themselves call their country Bharata-varsha, and themselves Bharatas or Aryans. “Arya” originally means “one who knows the true meaning of life,” and “Bharat” means “descendant of Bharata,” the great emperor of the entire Earth in ancient times. The tradition of celebrating Putrada Ekadashi is as ancient as the history of Emperor Bharata himself, described in the Vedas and Puranas (the Puranas are believed to contain a description of historical chronicles for the last 60 kalpas, the duration of one kalpa is 4,320,000,000 years).

January 13 (does not change). Laurie
Lori (Lori or Lohri) is celebrated annually on January 13 in North India. During this holiday, bonfires are lit as a symbol of the end of the harsh winter. The fire is associated with Lord Agni (Agni - fire).

January 14, 2018, January 15, 2019. Pongal is a harvest festival in India
The harvest festival Pongal is celebrated in January after the winter solstice. The date of Pongal is determined based on the solar calendar, so it remains the same from year to year. The days of Pongal are extremely auspicious for Hindus.

January 26 (does not change). Republic Day in India
Republic Day was introduced in 1950 and is celebrated annually on January 26. The day is celebrated by the widest sections of the country's population. A characteristic feature of this holiday is the organization of festive processions in Delhi.

January 28, 2018, February 16, 2019. Jaya Ekadashi
The Jaya Ekadashi festival carries the idea of ​​loving service (bhakti), which is completely opposite to the idea of ​​sexual satisfaction (kama). Very often, Krishna, whose name is translated as the Source of Eternal Pleasure, which is the personification of Pure Love, is confused with the deity of lust and passion, which, according to the Amara Kosha dictionary, has five names: Kandarpa - “the deity of love”, Darpaka - “preventing events”, Ananga - “having no physical body”, Kama - “passion personified”, Pancha-sharayh - “holding five arrows (taste, touch, sound, smell and image).”
The rules and restrictions of Jaya Ekadashi are there to engage one in pure activities to please Krishna. In addition to the fact that Jaya Ekadashi destroys all the consequences of sins and alleviates the heavy burden of material existence, this ancient festival is the “mother of loving devotion.”

January 12, 2018, January 31, 2019. Shat-tila Ekadashi
The ancient Vedas indicate several ways to obtain knowledge: pratyaksha, anumana, shabda. Pratyaksha (from Sanskrit “aksha” - eye) is the path of empirical knowledge, the path of experience

February 11, 2018, March 2, 2019. Vijaya Ekadashi
Vijaya Ekadashi gives the result that its name suggests (“vijaya” means “victory”). In India, every person from childhood knows the story of the Ramayana, which tells about the divine love of Rama and Sita. And it is connected with the Indian epic "Ramayana", which tells the story of Rama's victory over the demon Ravana. Anyone who observes the Vijaya Ekadasi fast will also always be a winner in this mortal world, and after that he will return to the kingdom of God. It is believed that the power of this fast can destroy all sinful reactions of even the most disgusting person. Sri Krishna also concluded that everyone who reads and listens to this story will receive the same benefits as those who perform sacrifices.

February 13, 2018, March 4, 2019. Maha Shivaratri
The Maha Shivaratri holiday is also called the “Great Night of God Shiva” and is celebrated in honor of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It falls in the month of Magha (February-March)

February 26, 2018, March 17, 2019. Amalaki Ekadashi
Celebrating Amalaki Ekadashi is a very ancient tradition that dates back to time immemorial. It is described in the Brahmanda Purana (the Puranas are called the Fifth Veda).

March 2, 2018, March 21, 2019. Holi - the festival of colors
Holi is the most colorful and vibrant holiday in India.

March 30, 2018, April 19, 2019. Catholic Good Friday (Good Friday)
Christians dedicate Friday of Holy Week - the last week of Lent - to memories of the suffering of the Savior. Christians in India celebrate this day across the country, but especially in Mumbai, Goa and the North-Eastern states of India.

April 1, 2018, April 21, 2019. Catholic Easter
Although Christians in India account for approximately 2.5% of the country's total population, the festival of Easter is celebrated with pomp and religious obsessiveness.

March 13, 2018, April 1, 2019. Papamochani Ekadashi
The ancient Vedas say that Papamochani Ekadashi prevents the influence of spirits and demons on a sincere person full of faith. The purpose of celebrating Papamochani Ekadashi is to establish a person in virtue, which equally benefits the individual and society and also pleases God. The history of this holiday is connected with the concept of karma (“activity”). The law of karma is simple and inexorable: the present is the consequence of the past and the cause of the future. If a person is dissatisfied with his present, he must understand that this situation is the result of his activities in the past, which, however, can be overcome by virtuous actions.

March 18, 2018, April 6, 2019. Vasanta Navratri (Chaitra Navratri, Vasanta Navratri)
Vasanta Navaratri - spring nine nights of the Mother Goddess.
On Amavasya (new moon) at the beginning of the month of Chaitra (March-April), the celebration of Vasanta Navaratri begins - nine spring nights dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The Autumn Nine Nights are celebrated at the beginning of the month of Ashwin (September-October).

According to the mythological narrative in the Puranas, the Great Goddess Durga, the personification of the Shakti of all gods, fought with the demons for nine days and nights, finally defeating the most powerful of them, Mahishasura. This is described in the Markandeya Purana, Devibhagavata Purana, Chandi Purana and other Scriptures. The most important part of the Markandeya Purana is the famous Devi Mahatmya (Glorification of the Goddess), recited daily on the night of Navratri. Both holidays - spring and autumn - are celebrated as the victory of the forces of light, personified by the Mother Goddess. In some areas of India, during the spring festival, greater attention is paid to the figure of Rama and the enactment of the mystery of the Ramayana, with special veneration of the ninth day - Rama Navami.

Ram Navami
Ram Navami is celebrated on the last day of Vananta Navratri. The birthday of the seventh incarnation of the mighty Vishnu - the legendary King Rama - is celebrated in the month of Chaitra. The hero of the Ramayana is an ideal and at the same time very real person - a king, and a faithful son and brother.

April 13 and 14 (does not change). Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) - Sikh New Year
In the Indian state of Punjab, on April 14, one of the most beloved Sikh holidays is celebrated - Vaisakhi. For the Sikhs who inhabit Punjab, it is both a religious holiday, a harvest festival, and a New Year's Day.

March 27, 2018, April 15, 2019. Kamada Ekadashi
Purity and perfection are the distinguishing characteristics of the original poetry of the ancient Vedas. The first hymn poems, embodied in song and dance, were performed in Sanskrit (literally, this means “purified to perfection”). To say that the first verses were “written down” in this language would be a mistake, since in ancient times there was no need for writing: the hymns were so perfect that they could not help but be remembered because of the vivid impression (samskara) that they left in the soul once who heard them. This is how the Vedic tradition arose - the tradition of oral transmission of poetic hymns, which are not only an example of aesthetic, but also ethical perfection. This is a celebration of the ancient tradition of oral transmission of Vedic hymns. The wishes of everyone who fasts on this day are fulfilled.

March 29, 2018, April 17, 2019. Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of the founder of the Jainism religion, Mahavir Jayanti, 24 and the last tirthankara (Sansk. “leading across the ocean,” that is, a prophet who leads through life) is the main holiday of the Jains.

April 12, 2018, April 30, 2019. Varuthini Ekadashi
According to the ancient tradition, the celebration of Varuthini Ekadashi is described as follows. Firstly, celebration can alleviate or completely relieve a person from suffering, and secondly, celebration can become the foundation for achieving the permanence of a successful and happy life. The ancient Vedas say: “All the benefits of observing austerities and penances for a thousand years are achieved by those who celebrate Varuthini Ekadashi.”

April 26, 2018, May 15, 2019. Mohini Ekadashi
Mohini Ekadashi, like other “eleventh day” holidays, is an ancient spiritual tradition. The essence of this holiday, around which there is a whole philosophy, comes down to one way or another elevating a person above his everyday life, ordinariness. A person tends to become scattered, forget himself and completely forget - this is the nature of man, but the nature of the soul is completely different! The celebration of Mohini Ekadashi is aimed at making a person remember himself as a soul through performing activities that are natural to the soul.

May 22, 2018, May 12, 2019. Buddha Purnima
Today marks the most sacred holiday of the Buddhist calendar - the Birthday of Buddha (Buddha Purnima), the founder of Buddhism. According to legend, Buddha was born on this day in 623 BC, on the same day he achieved enlightenment in 543 BC. died on the same day, having achieved complete nirvana. Thus, all three major events in the life of the Buddha are celebrated simultaneously.

May 11, 2018, May 30, 2019. Apara Ekadashi
Apara Ekadashi is an ax used to cut down the mature tree of sinful acts. Apara Ekadashi is the sun flashing before someone’s black crime. Apara Ekadashi is the ego-lion stalking the doe of godlessness. To free himself from the worldly and sinful, from the bodily and sensual, from the selfish and demonic, an intelligent person strives to seize the favorable opportunity to use the priceless life for the satisfaction of God. Studying the scriptures, serving saints and teachers, and helping the needy are those actions that attract the attention of God, who can purify the soul surrendered to Him with just His glance.

July 9, 2018, June 29, 2019. Yogini Ekadashi
Yogini Ekadashi is a holiday that is celebrated every eleventh lunar day of the lunar cycle by all those who know the traditions and culture of the Ancient East. Life is given in order to rise through service to the Highest. Celebrating Yogini Ekadashi is a direct path to that perfection that was once lost to us.

July 14, 2018, July 4, 2019. Rath Yatra in India
Rath Yatra (literally "chariot parade"), an annual religious festival of the removal of God Jagannath (one of the forms of Krishna-Vishnu) from the temple on a giant chariot. Celebrated in the month of Ashadha (June-July).

July 27, 2018, July 16, 2019. Guru Purnima
Hindus attach the greatest importance to spiritual Teachers (Gurus). They are often equated to God and considered intermediaries between man and the Almighty.

August 15 (does not change). Indian Independence Day
Every year on August 15, India celebrates its biggest holiday - Independence Day in India - the anniversary of India's declaration of independence from Great Britain. Independence Day has been celebrated since 1947.

August 26, 2018, August 15, 2019. Raksha Bandhan in India
The festival of Raksha Bandhan or, as it is more commonly called, Rakhi, falls on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (July - August). On this day, ritual ablutions are performed on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, and coconuts are thrown into the sea as a reproach to the God of Waters, Varuna. Raksha bandhan has great significance for siblings. The main ritual of the festival consists of tying a blessed rakhi cord on the brother's wrist. By this, the sister wishes well-being and prosperity to her brother, while the brother vows to protect her from all troubles and help her in all problems.

September 2, 2018, August 23, 2019. Krishna Janmashtami - Krishna Appearance Day
The holiday is celebrated in honor of the birthday of Krishna (Krishna Janmashthami) - the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. According to legend, he was born at midnight on the eighth day of the month of Shravan (July-August).

September 13, 2018, September 2, 2019. Celebrating the birth of Ganesh Chaturthi
The birthday of the God of wisdom and abundance Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi) with the body of a man and the head of an elephant - the remover of obstacles, the son of Shiva and his wife Parvati - is celebrated in the month of Bhadra (August-September).

August 25, 2018, September 11, 2019. Onam festival
Onam Festival is a colorful harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. According to legend, the mythical king of ancient Kerala - Mahabali, or Maveli, comes to its lands on the day of Thiruvonam, and his devotees celebrate the Golden Era that lasted in those days. Patterned floral carpets called Pookalam are laid out in front of houses. The tradition of placing flowers at the doorsteps of houses is very popular in Kerala, and these beautiful, short-lived works of art are maintained throughout the ten-day festival by the daily addition of many fresh flowers of various colors, which are placed by the girls singing folk songs.
The rich folklore of the people of Kerala is fully reflected in the Onam festival. Here you can see the national costume, try folk cuisine, watch traditional games and dances, see the elephant parade and boat races, and, of course, hear folk songs.

September 17 (does not change). Vizhvakarma Puja - the day of all craftsmen and architects
Vizhvakarma - this god is revered by manual workers who work with tools. Vishwakarma is the main deity of all craftsmen and architects. The son of Brahma, he is the divine draftsman of the universe and the builder of the palaces of all the gods. He is also the designer of all the gods' flying chariots and weapons.

October 2 (does not change). Gandhi Jayanti - Mahatma Gandhi's birthday
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India in honor of the birthday of the outstanding leader of the national liberation movement of the Indian people.

October 19, 2018, October 8, 2019. Dussehra (Dashera, Dussehra)
Dashahra (Dussehra) - one of the most popular and colorful Hindu holidays is celebrated in the month of Ashvin (September-October) for 10 days, of which 9 nights are devoted to worship (this is where another name for the holiday comes from - Navratri.

August 21, 2018, August 11, 2019. Feast of Sacrifice (Kurban Bayram)
One of the most popular Muslim holidays is dedicated to Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son Ismail. It falls on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar, Dhu-ul-Hijjah, and lasts three to four days.

November 7, 2018, October 27, 2019. Diwali - festival of lights
Diwali or Deepavali, which in Sanskrit means “bunch of fire,” is a festival of lights celebrated everywhere in India and symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. It falls at the beginning of the month of Kartik (October-November).

November 14 (does not change). Bal Diwas - Children's Day in India
The birthday of the outstanding statesman, the first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru (Jawaharlal Nehru, November 14, 1889 - 1964) is celebrated throughout the country as Children's Day.

December 3, 2018, November 22, 2019. Utpanna Ekadashi
Ekadashi (from Sanskrit “eka” - one, “dasha” - ten) occurs three lunar days before the new moon and full moon. The oldest Vedic tradition says: “Ekadasi is the mother of devotion,” since it is on this day that everyone gets the opportunity to focus on their relationship with God.

December 4 (does not change). Indian Navy Day
On December 4, India celebrates Navy Day in India. The day when the Navy, through Operation Trident, played a significant role in the bombing of the port area of ​​Karachi during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

November 20, 2018, November 9, 2019. Mawlid an-Nabi (Nativity of the Prophet Muhammad)
The birthday of Prophet Muhammad is celebrated throughout India with traditional celebrations and religious fervor.
Muhammad was born in 570 AD. and he is revered as the last Prophet of Islam.
The Muslim era began with his immigration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, where he proclaimed himself a messenger of God and received the Qur'an, the holy text of the Islamic faith, from the Almighty at the age of forty. A few years later, he returned to Mecca, where the Kaaba was established as a destination for pilgrimage for adherents of Islam. The Prophet died in 632 AD.

December 25th. Catholic Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th. It is one of the most significant holidays of Indian Christians.

About time in India

If a traveler is going to India, then he will be interested to know that most of the inhabitants of Hindustan have been living in the twenty-first century for a long time. Here, “in the Indian courtyard,” the year is 2068 according to the Vikram calendar, which is noted in all official calendars. If this fact upsets you, and you do not want to rush time, then in this territory there is a chance to plunge into the past, not only coming into contact with unique traditions that have come down from antiquity, but also in real time space. According to the Shaka (Saka) calendar in India, it is now 1926, which is also officially recognized. Of course, the Christian year 2004 is also accepted by all Hindus - somehow you have to survive in a single information space, but if you decide to visit Muslim regions, you can celebrate the year 1426, and in Buddhist territories - 2132. If you travel for a long time in India and forgot, In what year did you enter this sacred land, then don’t despair - buy a newspaper. All years that are currently in force in Hindustan are always indicated there. Your job is only to choose depending on the state of your soul and body.

Only for business and government affairs do Hindus use the generally accepted names of the months. For a traveler and discoverer, you need to be able to understand in what month you arrived in India and when this or that holiday will take place. In mid-April, for example, there is a chance to celebrate the New Year, i.e. new chronology. Reference books often list the names of the months in Hindi. If you wish, you can learn the language, but this will not give you a comprehensive opportunity to understand time. Individual states have their own month names, which do not always coincide with the generally accepted ones. If you have seen information that some sacred holiday is celebrated on the 20th of the Indian month of Bhadon, then this means that it will be celebrated somewhere in early September. You need to look at the official calendar when Bhadon begins this year and determine the exact date.

Photo by Valery Garkal

Local holidays

Thai Pusam (Tamil Nadu)
This festival is usually celebrated in Kartikeya or Mariamman temples. There are ditches dug near the temples filled with burning coals for devotees to walk through. People who voluntarily decide to walk with faith in God do not cause themselves any harm. The chief priest of the temple and the 12 “young heroes” who must perform this feat are the first to leave the temple in procession to take a bath, sprinkle themselves with colored powder and begin to dance. Then they walk across hot coals and come out without a single wound. All this is accompanied by singing and fun, which continues until late.

Float Festival (Tamil Nadu)
This magical festival is celebrated in Madurai on the night of the full moon. Painted images of two gods, Sundares (a form of Shiva) and Meenakshi (a form of Parvati), with pearl crowns on their heads and riding a golden bull, are taken out of the Meenakshi temple. God Alagar (an incarnation of Vishnu) gives his sister Meenakshi in marriage to Sundaresa with great joy. Worshipers dressed in yellow and red dance in the crowd and pour colored water on each other. Images of gods are sent on a raft on the water among flowers and burning lamps.

National Kite Festival (Gujarat)
In Gujarat and other western states, the change in wind direction on Makar Sankranti is celebrated by flying thousands of colorful kites of all designs and sizes. Young people compete with each other in kite flying. The snakes are made by hand and the threads are coated with glass powder mixed with resin or refined wheat flour. This day ends with a flying kite tournament in which money and cups are prizes for the winners. Special snakes with paper lamps fill the night sky with a myriad of twinkling lights.

Kerala Village Fair (Kerala)
Mid-January is the time of cultural celebrations in the villages around Kovalam every year. Traditional thatched huts are decorated during this ten-day festival and become a venue for celebrations with dancing and music.

Bikaner Festival (Rajasthan)
The festival begins with a beautiful procession of decorated camels. This vibrant display of beautifully decorated camels captivates onlookers with their charm and brilliance. Various competitions are held, with typical Rajasthan pomp and fun, rhythmic music.

Pattadakal Dance Festival (Karnataka)
Dance festival in Pattadakal (Karnataka), the ancient capital of the Chalukya dynasty.

Desert Festival (Jaisalmer)
The Desert Festival is held in the golden city of Jaisalmer and lasts three days with music, fun, and dancing. Dancers swaying to traditional tunes, turban-tying competitions and the selection of the Lord of the Desert are part of this folk festival. The grand finale of the holiday is a trip to the sand dunes at Sam, where you can enjoy camel rides, folk dance performances and music on the sand.

Goa Carnival (Goa)
Goa Carnival is held in February. For three days, the legendary King Momo organizes a carnival and the streets come alive with fun. Evenings during the week are a time for celebrations.

Nagaur Fair
Nagaur comes alive during the annual community festival, which is one of the largest in the country. Nagaur bulls are known for their fleetness and attract buyers from all over. The day begins with trading between buyers and sellers. Once prices for horses, bulls and camels have been set, the day continues with games, competitions, camel rides and ballads that create a cheerful atmosphere.

International Yoga Week (Rishikesh)
Yoga Week is held on the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. Organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department. Lectures and demonstrations are given by renowned yoga exponents throughout the week.

Elephanta Festival (Elephanta Island)
The festival is held on Elephanta Island, near Bombay, near the Elephanta Caves. This festival of music and dance is celebrated under the stars and turns the entire island into a huge hall.

Deccan Festival (Hyderabad)
Every year, tranquil Hyderabad comes alive during the Deccan festival. Cultural programs are held with reading ghazals at night, riddles, and jokes. There are performances with sparklers. The food festival offers visitors the best of Hyderabadi cuisine.

Taj Mahotsav (Agra)
The ten-day Taj Mahotsav in Agra is a cultural platform that showcases unique Indian crafts and cultural nuances. This is a festive representation of India and the state of Uttar Pradesh. Folk music, poetry and classical dances, as well as elephant and camel rides, games and a food festival are all included in the festival program.

Surajkund Crafts Mela (New Delhi)
To introduce traditional Indian crafts, a crafts festival is held annually in Surajkund. Experienced craftsmen and artisans display their works and handicrafts in a rustic setting. Cultural programs and village cuisine are also part of this vibrant celebration.

Chapchar Kut (Mizoram)
A lovely festival in Mizoram to celebrate the arrival of spring. This is the time for dancing, music and fun.

Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
A ten-day celebration of dance, drama and music. The exhibitions feature art and folk crafts, representatives of local flora and fauna and the underwater world. Additional activities: water sports, games and parasailing.

Gangaur(Rajasthan)
The festival is dedicated to Gauri, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati, and lasts 18 days. Celebrated by girls and married women in Rajasthan. Gauri's image is decorated with ornaments and offerings are made to her. This is also the time for young people to choose their life partner. A colorful procession accompanied by musicians, horses and palanquins turns the holiday into a fantastic performance.

Jamshed-E-Navroz (Jamshed navaroz - New Year's Day)
Celebrated by the Parsi community. Goes back to the legendary Persian king Jamshed, the compiler of the solar calendar. Parsis wear new clothes and decorate their houses with patterns of metal and flowers, and exchange sweets. They then visit the Fire Temple, where they express their gratitude.

Khajuraho Dance Festival (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)
A week-long celebration of classical Indian dance at the Khajuraho temples built by the Chandella rulers.

Elaphant Festival (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
A festival where elephants are the central figures of the performance. They walk at a slow pace, showing off their decorated trunks and tusks. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, accompanied by folk dancers. The highlight of the holiday: elephant running competitions and polo matches. The pinnacle of the festival is a tug-of-war competition between people and an elephant.

Hoysala Mahotsava (Karnataka)
A dance festival held in Belur and Halebid at the Hoysala Temple.

Ellora Festival (Ellora Caves, Maharashtra)
A celebration of dance and music organized in the stunning surroundings of the Ellora Caves.

Banking day April 1
All banks and financial institutions, most offices and government agencies are closed.

Gudi Padva or Ugadi (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka)
Marks the beginning of the new year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. Gudi Padwa is considered one of the four most auspicious days of the year when people start new ventures. According to legend, Brahma created the world on this day, so he is especially worshiped at this time. It is also believed that the god Vishnu appeared on this day in the avatar of Matsya, a fish. The Gudi (banner) made of silk and bearing the swastika symbol is hoisted in honor of victory and joy and marks the return of the valiant Marathas home after successful wars of conquest.

Pooram (Trichur, Kerala)
In early April, the people of Kerala start looking for the best elephants in the state. Every temple in Kerala sends a procession of decorated elephants to Trichur to participate in the Pooram festival. Groups of decorated elephants stand facing each other while drums and nadaswarams provide music. The holiday ends with fireworks.

Muharram (All India, Muslim holiday)
Muharram is a day of mourning for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad Hussein. Marches and processions where you can see masked dancers and self-torturing religious fanatics. This procession is especially impressive in Lucknow. In the southern part of India, you can see tiger dancers - these are men, completely painted in stripes and dressed in tiger masks, they lead the procession. Day off for the Muslim community.

Mewar (Rajasthan)
Celebrated in Udaipur to celebrate the arrival of spring. The peak of the festival is the procession of women who carry images of Gaurir to Lake Pichola. The celebration includes cheerful singing, dancing, religious music concerts and fireworks.

Urs (Ajmer, Rajasthan)
Urs is celebrated annually in memory of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the day he reunited with God. Pilgrims from all over the world gather to pay tribute to the saint. Kavalis poems are sung in honor of the saint.

Ganga Dussera (Uttar Pradesh)
Ten days of this festival are dedicated to the worship of the Ganga River. According to legend, Gangavataran or slopes to the Ganga were created during this time. Believers touch the water, plunge into it and take clay to take home. Arati rituals are performed in Haridwar, with a large number of believers praying on the banks of the river.

Hemis Festival (Jammu and Kashmir)
Celebrated in Hemis, one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh, in honor of the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava. Bright dance numbers are performed in masks to the sounds of cymbals, drums and bugles. An exhibition of beautiful folk crafts is the highlight of this holiday.

Rathyatra (Orissa)
The festival is held at the famous Jaganatha Temple in Puri. The image of god Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken from the temple in palanquins to their summer temple for a week. The main palanquin is 14 meters long and 10 meters wide with 16 wheels. Millions of believers pull huge palanquins on ropes, and believe that this will bring them salvation.

Nag Panchami (West Bengal, Maharashtra, South India, Himachal Pradesh)
Naga Panchami (Snake Worship Day) dates back to the pre-Aryan period. On this day, especially in villages, they worship the cobra or its image, a symbol of energy and prosperity. In Maharashtra, the Ophiuchus magician walks with a cobra from house to house, asking for alms and clothes. The women offer milk and cooked rice to the snakes and gather around to watch the snakes move to the tune of the punga. During the day, clay images of snakes are worshiped in houses, and in the evening they are immersed in the sea. In southern India, especially in Kerala, snake temples are filled all day long with people worshiping stone or metal images of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Shesha. Public holiday in some parts of India. The date is wandering.

Janmashtami (Birthday of Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu)
Janamashtami is celebrated throughout India, especially solemnly celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), where Krishna spent his childhood. Throughout the night, believers bring donations and religious hymns are sung in churches. Colorful dance festivals are held with performances telling the story of Krishna's childhood. In Maharashtra, oriental pots of curd and butter are hung high on all the streets. Young people play the role of child Krishna, climb the pyramids and try to break these pots. Day off everywhere. The date is wandering.

Tarnetar Mela (Tarnetar, Saurashtra, Gujarat)
This magnificent and unique festival is held annually at Tarnethar in Saurashtra. The festival coincides with the celebration of the wedding of the legendary heroes Mahabharata, Arjuna and Draupadi at the Trineteshwar Temple. The festival is a wedding market for the local tribes - Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris. Traditional costumes, jewelry and beautiful Tarnetar umbrellas with embroidery and mirror inserts are sold here. Additional performances include folk dances such as garba, ras and haro.

Durga Puja (Bengal)
Performed during 9 days of Navratri. Community prayers in Bengal are organized daily at each place. Families visit each other. On Vijoya day, the idols are taken out in a procession to be immersed in the river or sea.

Banking day September 30
All banks, financial institutions, most offices and government institutions are closed.

Valmikhi Jayanti
Valmihi Janti October 5th. Birthday of Valmiha, creator of Ramayana.

Karva Chauth (North India)
Celebrated in October. A traditional festival of married women in North India, revered by Hindus in India and abroad, and of great social and cultural significance.

India: upcoming tours

Currently, New Year is according to the Gregorian calendar, i.e. January 1 is celebrated mainly by Christians in India. On this day, bells ring in churches, and in large port cities at midnight, steamship whistles herald the coming of the New Year. New Year cards are sent to relatives and friends, and people exchange congratulations when they meet.

The birthday of the tenth and last Guru Gobind Singh is celebrated by Sikhs. On this day, large processions are organized and special prayers are said in all Sikh temples - gurudwaras.

Hindus never call themselves Hindus, just as the Chinese never called themselves Chinese, and the Arabs never called themselves Arabs. Just as the British saw the Chinese as porcelain traders (China is translated from English as porcelain), and the Mesopotamians saw the representatives of the tribes invading Mesopotamia from the south, desert dwellers, vagabonds and nomads (this is how the word al-arab can be translated), the Indians called by the Persians (Hindu comes from the name of the Sindhu River - the modern Indus).

The Hindus themselves call their country Bharata-varsha, and themselves Bharatas or Aryans. “Arya” originally means “one who knows the true meaning of life,” and “Bharat” means “descendant of Bharata,” the great emperor of the entire Earth in ancient times. The tradition of celebrating Putrada Ekadashi is as ancient as the history of Emperor Bharata himself, described in the Vedas and Puranas (the Puranas are believed to contain a description of historical chronicles for the last 60 kalpas, the duration of one kalpa is 4,320,000,000 years).
13th of January. Laurie

Lori (Lori or Lohri) is celebrated annually on January 13 in North India. During this holiday, bonfires are lit as a symbol of the end of the harsh winter. The fire is associated with Lord Agni (Agni - fire).

The harvest festival Pongal is celebrated in January after the winter solstice. The date of Pongal is determined based on the solar calendar, so it remains the same from year to year. The days of Pongal are extremely auspicious for Hindus. More about Pongal

Republic Day was introduced in 1950 and is celebrated annually on January 26. The day is celebrated by the widest sections of the country's population. A characteristic feature of this holiday is the organization of festive processions in Delhi.

The Jaya Ekadashi festival carries the idea of ​​loving service (bhakti), which is completely opposite to the idea of ​​sexual satisfaction (kama). Very often, Krishna, whose name is translated as the Source of Eternal Pleasure, which is the personification of Pure Love, is confused with the deity of lust and passion, which, according to the Amara Kosha dictionary, has five names: Kandarpa - “the deity of love”, Darpaka - “preventing events”, Ananga - “having no physical body”, Kama - “passion personified”, Pancha-sharayh - “holding five arrows (taste, touch, sound, smell and image).” The rules and restrictions of Jaya Ekadashi are there to engage one in pure activities to please Krishna. In addition to the fact that Jaya Ekadashi destroys all the consequences of sins and alleviates the heavy burden of material existence, this ancient festival is the “mother of loving devotion.”

The ancient Vedas indicate several ways to obtain knowledge: pratyaksha, anumana, shabda. Pratyaksha (from Sanskrit “aksha” - eye) is the path of empirical knowledge, the path of experience

Vijaya Ekadashi gives the result that its name suggests (“vijaya” means “victory”). In India, every person from childhood knows the story of the Ramayana, which tells about the divine love of Rama and Sita. And it is connected with the Indian epic "Ramayana", which tells the story of Rama's victory over the demon Ravana. Anyone who observes the Vijaya Ekadasi fast will also always be a winner in this mortal world, and after that he will return to the kingdom of God. It is believed that the power of this fast can destroy all sinful reactions of even the most disgusting person. Sri Krishna also concluded that everyone who reads and listens to this story will receive the same benefits as those who perform sacrifices.

The Maha Shivaratri holiday is also called the “Great Night of God Shiva” and is celebrated in honor of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It falls in the month of Magha (February-March)

Celebrating Amalaki Ekadashi is a very ancient tradition that dates back to time immemorial. It is described in the Brahmanda Purana (the Puranas are called the Fifth Veda).
March 23, 2016, March 13, 2017. Holi

The festival of colors Holi is the most colorful and vibrant holiday in India.
March 25, 2016, April 14, 2017.

Catholic Good Friday (Good Friday) Christians dedicate Friday of Holy Week - the last week of Lent - to memories of the suffering of the Savior. Christians in India celebrate this day across the country, but especially in Mumbai, Goa and the North-Eastern states of India.

Although Christians in India account for approximately 2.5% of the country's total population, the festival of Easter is celebrated with pomp and religious obsessiveness.

The ancient Vedas say that Papamochani Ekadashi prevents the influence of spirits and demons on a sincere person full of faith. The purpose of celebrating Papamochani Ekadashi is to establish a person in virtue, which equally benefits the individual and society and also pleases God. The history of this holiday is connected with the concept of karma (“activity”). The law of karma is simple and inexorable: the present is the consequence of the past and the cause of the future. If a person is dissatisfied with his present, he must understand that this situation is the result of his activities in the past, which, however, can be overcome by virtuous actions.

Vasanta Navaratri - spring nine nights of the Mother Goddess. On Amavasya (new moon) at the beginning of the month of Chaitra (March-April), the celebration of Vasanta Navaratri begins - nine spring nights dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The Autumn Nine Nights are celebrated at the beginning of the month of Ashwin (September-October). According to the mythological narrative in the Puranas, the Great Goddess Durga, the personification of the Shakti of all gods, fought with the demons for nine days and nights, finally defeating the most powerful of them, Mahishasura. This is described in the Markandeya Purana, Devibhagavata Purana, Chandi Purana and other Scriptures. The most important part of the Markandeya Purana is the famous Devi Mahatmya (Glorification of the Goddess), recited daily on the night of Navratri. Both holidays - spring and autumn - are celebrated as the victory of the forces of light, personified by the Mother Goddess. In some areas of India, during the spring festival, greater attention is paid to the figure of Rama and the enactment of the mystery of the Ramayana, with special veneration of the ninth day - Rama Navami.
Ram Navami
Ram Navami is celebrated on the last day of Vananta Navratri. The birthday of the seventh incarnation of the mighty Vishnu - the legendary King Rama - is celebrated in the month of Chaitra. The hero of the Ramayana is an ideal and at the same time very real person - a king, and a faithful son and brother.

In the Indian state of Punjab, on April 14, one of the most beloved Sikh holidays is celebrated - Vaisakhi. For the Sikhs who inhabit Punjab, it is both a religious holiday, a harvest festival, and a New Year's Day.

Purity and perfection are the distinguishing characteristics of the original poetry of the ancient Vedas. The first hymn poems, embodied in song and dance, were performed in Sanskrit (literally, this means “purified to perfection”). To say that the first verses were “written down” in this language would be a mistake, since in ancient times there was no need for writing: the hymns were so perfect that they could not help but be remembered because of the vivid impression (samskara) that they left in the soul once who heard them. This is how the Vedic tradition arose - the tradition of oral transmission of poetic hymns, which are not only an example of aesthetic, but also ethical perfection. This is a celebration of the ancient tradition of oral transmission of Vedic hymns. The wishes of everyone who fasts on this day are fulfilled.

The birthday of the founder of the Jainism religion, Mahavir Jayanti, 24 and the last tirthankara (Sansk. “leading across the ocean,” that is, a prophet who leads through life) is the main holiday of the Jains.

According to the ancient tradition, the celebration of Varuthini Ekadashi is described as follows. Firstly, celebration can alleviate or completely relieve a person from suffering, and secondly, celebration can become the foundation for achieving the permanence of a successful and happy life. The ancient Vedas say: “All the benefits of observing austerities and penances for a thousand years are achieved by those who celebrate Varuthini Ekadashi.”

Mohini Ekadashi, like other “eleventh day” holidays, is an ancient spiritual tradition. The essence of this holiday, around which there is a whole philosophy, comes down to one way or another elevating a person above his everyday life, ordinariness. A person tends to become scattered, forget himself and completely forget - this is the nature of man, but the nature of the soul is completely different! The celebration of Mohini Ekadashi is aimed at making a person remember himself as a soul through performing activities that are natural to the soul.

This day marks the most sacred holiday of the Buddhist calendar - the Birthday of Buddha (Buddha Purnima), the founder of Buddhism. According to legend, Buddha was born on this day in 623 BC, on the same day he achieved enlightenment in 543 BC. died on the same day, having achieved complete nirvana. Thus, all three major events in the life of the Buddha are celebrated simultaneously.

Apara Ekadashi is an ax used to cut down the mature tree of sinful acts. Apara Ekadashi is the sun flashing before someone’s black crime. Apara Ekadashi is the ego-lion stalking the doe of godlessness. To free himself from the worldly and sinful, from the bodily and sensual, from the selfish and demonic, an intelligent person strives to seize the favorable opportunity to use the priceless life for the satisfaction of God. Studying the scriptures, serving saints and teachers, and helping the needy are those actions that attract the attention of God, who can purify the soul surrendered to Him with just His glance.

Yogini Ekadashi is a holiday that is celebrated every eleventh lunar day of the lunar cycle by all those who know the traditions and culture of the Ancient East. Life is given in order to rise through service to the Highest. Celebrating Yogini Ekadashi is a direct path to that perfection that was once lost to us.

Rath Yatra (literally "chariot parade"), an annual religious festival of the removal of God Jagannath (one of the forms of Krishna-Vishnu) from the temple on a giant chariot. Celebrated in the month of Ashadha (June-July).

Hindus attach the greatest importance to spiritual Teachers (Gurus). They are often equated to God and considered intermediaries between man and the Almighty.

Every year on August 15, India celebrates its biggest holiday - Independence Day in India - the anniversary of India's declaration of independence from Great Britain. Independence Day has been celebrated since 1947.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan or, as it is more commonly called, Rakhi, falls on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (July - August). On this day, ritual ablutions are performed on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, and coconuts are thrown into the sea as a reproach to the God of Waters, Varuna. Raksha bandhan has great significance for siblings. The main ritual of the festival consists of tying a blessed rakhi cord on the brother's wrist. By this, the sister wishes well-being and prosperity to her brother, while the brother vows to protect her from all troubles and help her in all problems.

The holiday is celebrated in honor of the birthday of Krishna (Krishna Janmashthami) - the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. According to legend, he was born at midnight on the eighth day of the month of Shravan (July-August).

The birthday of the God of wisdom and abundance Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi) with the body of a man and the head of an elephant - the remover of obstacles, the son of Shiva and his wife Parvati - is celebrated in the month of Bhadra (August-September).

Onam Festival is a colorful harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. According to legend, the mythical king of ancient Kerala - Mahabali, or Maveli, comes to its lands on the day of Thiruvonam, and his devotees celebrate the Golden Era that lasted in those days. Patterned floral carpets called Pookalam are laid out in front of houses. The tradition of placing flowers at the doorsteps of houses is very popular in Kerala, and these beautiful, short-lived works of art are maintained throughout the ten-day festival by the daily addition of many fresh flowers of various colors, which are placed by the girls singing folk songs. The rich folklore of the people of Kerala is fully reflected in the Onam festival. Here you can see the national costume, try folk cuisine, watch traditional games and dances, see the elephant parade and boat races, and, of course, hear folk songs.

Vizhvakarma - this god is revered by manual workers who work with tools. Vishwakarma is the main deity of all craftsmen and architects. The son of Brahma, he is the divine draftsman of the universe and the builder of the palaces of all the gods. He is also the designer of all the gods' flying chariots and weapons.

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India in honor of the birthday of the outstanding leader of the national liberation movement of the Indian people.

Dashahra (Dussehra) - one of the most popular and colorful Hindu holidays is celebrated in the month of Ashvin (September-October) for 10 days, of which 9 nights are devoted to worship (this is where another name for the holiday comes from - Navratri.

One of the most popular Muslim holidays is dedicated to Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son Ismail. It falls on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar, Dhu-ul-Hijjah, and lasts three to four days.

Diwali or Deepavali, which in Sanskrit means “bunch of fire,” is a festival of lights celebrated everywhere in India and symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. It falls at the beginning of the month of Kartik (October-November).

The birthday of the outstanding statesman, the first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru (Jawaharlal Nehru, November 14, 1889 - 1964) is celebrated throughout the country as Children's Day.

Ekadashi (from Sanskrit “eka” - one, “dasha” - ten) occurs three lunar days before the new moon and full moon. The oldest Vedic tradition says: “Ekadasi is the mother of devotion,” since it is on this day that everyone gets the opportunity to focus on their relationship with God.

December 11-12, 2016, November 30 – December 1, 2017. Mawlid an-Nabi (Nativity of the Prophet Muhammad)

The birthday of Prophet Muhammad is celebrated throughout India with traditional celebrations and religious fervor. Muhammad was born in 570 AD. and he is revered as the last Prophet of Islam. The Muslim era began with his immigration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, where he proclaimed himself a messenger of God and received the Qur'an, the holy text of the Islamic faith, from the Almighty at the age of forty. A few years later, he returned to Mecca, where the Kaaba was established as a destination for pilgrimage for adherents of Islam. The Prophet died in 632 AD.

Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th. It is one of the most significant holidays of Indian Christians.

One of the most prominent holidays in the Indian calendar is the birthday of the god Ganesha. Every year, a colorful festival called Ganesh Chaturthi is held in his honor, where the people of India worship the deity and pray to him for well-being.

The day of celebration varies from year to year as it is the fourth day of the waxing moon of the month of Bhadra. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival takes place between August 19 and September 20.

For example, in 2014 it is August 29, in 2015 - September 1, and in 2016 and 2017 - August 30.

The history of Ganesha

Ganesha himself is known in India as the god of wisdom, abundance and prosperity. He is depicted as a man with the head of an elephant, with only one tusk. Each of these “oddities” has its own story.

The most common legend about the elephant's head is associated with the "parents" of Ganesha - and Parvati.

Ganesha did not allow father Shiva to enter Parvati's chambers, for which Shiva became angry and cut off his son's head. Parvati was furious at this act, and Shiva had to sew on Ganesha the head of the first creature he encountered - a baby elephant. This is where the legend ends, which means Parvati was happy with this outcome.

It was the elephant’s trunk that became a symbol of well-being among the Hindus, because in their opinion, Ganesha’s trunk gets rid of all obstacles.

Why is Ganesha depicted with one tusk?

According to legend, he used the second one as a weapon when fighting a giant. The tusk turned the opponent into a rat, and perhaps that is why in some images Ganesha sits on it. Note that, being a strong and powerful animal, the elephant remains a herbivore: it does not kill for food, which once again testifies to the kindness of the god Ganesha.

Festivals in honor of Ganesha

Like many Indian gods, Ganesha is considered the helper of his people. Of course, he overcomes obstacles with his trunk! In order for Ganesha to be merciful, once a year a festival is held in his honor - Ganesh Chaturthi.

The celebration usually lasts ten days, but families reserve the right to glorify Ganesha for more than two weeks.

The festival takes place in most cities in India. On the day the festival begins, people gather in the largest square of the city, where many statues of Ganesha, the size of a little finger or taller than a man, have already been prepared.

The tallest statue of Ganesha can rightfully be called a figure in Hyderabad city, because her “height” is as much as 52 feet!

Devotees seek blessings from Ganesha sculpture in Hyderabad

At the festival, clergy gather around such sculptures, pray and sing songs. The purpose of such a ritual is to call life into the idol. For those who managed to establish a spiritual connection with Ganesha, life will improve, because there will be no more obstacles in it.

An important element in every Ganesh Chaturthi festival is the offering of gifts. Usually these are fruits, coconuts and milk: Ganesha is known to have a sweet tooth. The gifts are left under the Ganesha sculptures overnight so that God has time to feast on them.

It is worth saying that during the ten days of celebration, it is not advisable for believers themselves to consume these products, but this cannot be called fasting.

Worshipers offer treats to an elephant in Ahmedabad

Major celebration in Maharashtra

The Ganesha festival is especially bright and colorful in the “state” of Maharashtra. People gather in its capital - - a month before the celebration tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.

The city welcomes them cordially: it is organized for them free food and housing, as well as first aid stations. For guests there are free concerts, and if they are paid, then all the money goes to charity. Funds for such “excesses” were collected by clergy and religious residents.

After the end of the ten days of the vibrant festival in Maharashtra, all clay figurines of Ganesha are lowered into rivers and lakes: they help God return to heaven.

People carry sculptures depicting the deity Ganesha for immersion in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai

They wait for the arrival of Ganesha next year, planning in advance the course of the future festival. From the day the festival ends, a series of other Indian religious holidays begins, so Hindus do not have to get bored. Plus, preparing for them turns into a fairy tale, because now there are no obstacles in their way!

It is worth saying that the Ganesha festival takes place not only in India, but also in all countries where there are large Indian communities: the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand.

Conclusion

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival in India takes place once a year and the celebration lasts for ten days. Ganesha - god of prosperity and wisdom- protects the people and removes obstacles in their path. Hindus worship God throughout the festival bring him fruits, coconuts and sweets, pray to him and sing special songs to “make friends” with him.

The celebration of the birth of the god Ganesha is the first in a series of religious holidays in India!

A festival in honor of any deity of millions of Hindus sweeps through the cities of Bharat in a motley wave at the beginning of autumn.

Although the elephant-headed son of the destroyer god Shiva and the mother goddess Parvati is not included in the main triad of Hindu deities, he easily overtakes most of his “senior colleagues” in popularity at home and abroad. This is because the god Ganesha, also known as Vinayaka and Ganapati, is responsible for such important areas as luck, wisdom, success in business, and is also considered the patron of scientists, traders and travelers. Most followers of the Vedic tradition in different countries begin religious ceremonies and important undertakings with the mantra invoking Ganesha: “Om Ganeshaya Namaha.” Considering the importance of the elephant-headed deity, it is quite reasonable that his festival is one of the most popular and colorful in the Indian religious calendar.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the first two weeks of the month of Bhadra (August-September), usually for 4-10 days. Hindus firmly believe that correct observance of the rituals of this celebration can open the way to new spiritual and material opportunities for every person who sincerely worships Ganesha. In the homes of most Hindus these days, solemn rituals are performed during which the statue of the deity is presented with fruits, nuts, milk, various sweets and, especially, his favorite round coconut sweets “modak” or “ladoo”.

Outside the walls of temples and houses, the Ganesha festival turns into crowded street processions, in which the main role is played by pre-made clay and brightly painted statues of the deity. According to the ancient custom, they are decorated with bright flower garlands, and then carried to the nearest body of water with chants and drumming. Going on a “free” voyage, the god of wisdom symbolically takes with him all the problems and misfortunes of the participants in the ritual. A “sacrificial” figurine purchased during Ganesh Chaturthi must be “released” into running water. Those who decide to leave it as a colorful souvenir, according to the Indians, will face a lot of troubles.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in almost every significant locality in India and far beyond the country's borders. The main places of celebration are the cult centers of Ganesha worship in Chennai, Pune and Orissa. During the holiday, a large number of pilgrims flock to the Ganesha Temple in Hyderabad, where the largest statue of the elephant-headed god in India is installed - about 16 meters. The most popular Ganesh Chaturthi festivals can be observed in the cities of the state of Maharashtra, which is officially patronized by Ganesha. In the state capital of Mumbai, the epicenter of the celebration is at the Siddhi Vinayaka Temple (one of Ganesha's titles), located in suburban Prabhadevi. Just during the Mumbai Ganesh Chaturthi alone About 150,000 statues of the “obstacle-removing” deity are lowered into the water.