Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a big festival in India that honors the god Ganesha. Ganesha has the head of an elephant and the body of a person. He is known as the god of wisdom and new beginnings. The festival lasts for 10 days and is full of music, dancing, and bright colors.

Statues of Ganesha

During the festival, people bring statues of Ganesha into their homes and streets. The statues come in many sizes, from tiny ones to giant ones as tall as a building. People decorate them with flowers, lights, and pretty cloth. Families pray to the statues and offer sweets and fruits. Ganesha's favorite treat is a sweet dumpling called modak.

The Big Parade

On the last day of the festival, people have a huge parade. They carry the statues through the streets with drums and music. Many people sing and dance along the way. At the end, the statues are placed in rivers, lakes, or the sea. This sends Ganesha back to his home until next year.

Fun Facts

• The biggest celebrations happen in the city of Mumbai, India.
• Some giant Ganesha statues can be more than 40 feet tall.
• The festival happens in August or September each year.

Did You Know?

Many families now use statues made of clay that dissolve in water. This helps keep rivers clean and safe for fish.