Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity known as the remover of obstacles, god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. It is a highly significant festival particularly celebrated in India, lasting typically for 10 days, starting on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (around August-September). During this festival, devotees install idols of Ganesha at homes and public places, perform prayers, offer sweets like modaks (Ganesha's favorite), and culminate the festival with a grand procession where the idols are immersed in water bodies symbolizing a cycle of creation and dissolution. The festival is not only religious but also a cultural event that brings communities together, fostering unity, devotion, and celebration of shared heritage and values. It teaches virtues such as patience, respect, and devotion, and serves as a reminder that God resides within us, not just in the idol. The tradition of immersing the idol at the end of the festival symbolizes the return of the deity to his divine abode, reinforcing the cyclical nature of life. Ganesh Chaturthi is also historically significant as it was popularized as a public festival in the late 19th century by Lokmanya Tilak, to unite people during the Indian independence movement. The festival continues to be a vibrant occasion marked by music, art, and elaborate rituals beyond its spiritual roots.