Panaji, Aug 27 (PTI): The vibrant ten-day Ganesh festival has commenced in Goa with enthusiasm and deep devotion, as residents across the state welcome the beloved elephant-headed deity into their homes. Celebrated with traditional fervor, the festival witnesses widespread participation, with nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population being Hindu. Lord Ganesh idols were brought into homes on Tuesday night, with devotees engaging in rituals on Wednesday morning to celebrate his arrival.
This festival also serves as a time for family reunions, drawing Goans living outside the state or abroad back to their native villages to join in the celebrations with family and friends. Across the state, hundreds of mandals have started their festivities, marked by grand processions bringing in large Ganesh idols. Many of these mandals have scheduled ten days full of events to honor the occasion.
Extending his warm wishes, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant encouraged Goans to embrace an eco-friendly celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, locally known as ‘Chavath’. He highlighted the festival's significance, underlining Ganapati Bappa as a symbol of wisdom, learning, and fortune, revered as a mentor, protector, and obstacle remover.
The Chief Minister remarked, "The arrival of Chavath illuminates our lives with hope and joy, reuniting families in ancestral homes to honor Lord Ganesh through traditional rituals and cultural bonds."
In his message, Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju extended his wishes for harmony and prosperity, celebrating Lord Ganesha's role as the Vighnaharta and Mangalmurti, a timeless symbol of wisdom and obstacle removal. The Governor emphasized the festival's deeper meaning in Goa, reflecting cultural heritage and family unity.
He further hoped that Chavath would inspire eco-friendly traditions and nurture harmony among diverse communities.
Additionally, Reverend Father Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, extended his greetings to the Hindu community, drawing on the words of Pope Leo XIV, wishing for divine guidance towards unity and hope among all people.
The ten-day festivities in Goa will include various daily rituals, cultural performances, and traditional celebrations spanning the state, as families come together in reverence and joy.
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