History Festivals are an integral part of human cultural life. From ancient times they have been celebrated not only in India but also in different parts of the world. 'Olympian' celebrated by Greeks, 'Pithian' to promote poetry writing and 'Nimiyan' to exhibit skills in martial arts are, to name a few, some of the festivals celebrated outside India in ancient times. The Ganesh festival, which has its origins in Maharashtra in India, has been celebrated for over a century.   In the good old days Ganesh festival was a purely family affair. According to the eminent historian Shri Rajwade, records reveal that it was celebrated even during the reigns of Satwahana, Rashtrakuta and Chalukya. There are also references in historical records to similar celebrations during Peshwa times, Lord Ganapati being the family deity of the Peshwas. The celebration would commence on the first day of the month of Bhadrapada and would go on for ten days. Years later it became a practice to end the festivities on 'Anant Chaturdashi' with the immersion of the Ganapati idol in water. The celebrations were universally popular with rich and poor alike. The poor were given sweets and clothes. Upper caste Brahmins were fed on delicious meals. On the concluding day, the idol of Lord Ganesh was carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin in a ceremonial procession and taken to the river for immersion. The last of the Ganesh festivals during the Peshwa regime was celebrated in the year 1815 when Bajirao II held the power. The year 1818 saw the end of Peshwa rule with Union Jack being unfurled on the great Shaniwar-Wada. Among the valuables the Britishers took away was a 'ruby'eyed Ganesh idol made in pure gold studded with diamonds and rubies. It was reportedly valued at £ 50000 in those days. After the end of Peshwa rule, from 1818 to 1892 Ganesh Festival remained a family affair in Maharashtra. Emulating the example of Peshwas, princely states of Baroda and Gwalior too involved common people in the Ganesh festival. Lokmanya Tilak was witness in 1892 where he saw the grand scale on which the festival was celebrated in Gwalior and the enthusiastic participation of people therein. This alone inspired him to make the Ganesh festival a public event in Maharashtra. However it needs to be mentioned here that social and political conditions of those times seemed ripe for making such a move.       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post Your Message     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments   Posted By : Chethan 08/21/2010 16:19:44 Nothing to say Posted By : Chethan 08/21/2010 16:17:38 Very most important and beautifully festival in my life. Posted By : manish 08/21/2010 12:56:00 I like the UTTARAYAN festival the most. It is also known as kite flying day in GUJARAT. It comes on 14th January every year. Manish panchal Posted By : anilyadav 08/17/2010 10:52:42 lord ganpati brings home a happiness and in the 11 days we enjoy the festival very much. Posted By : 11values 07/25/2010 22:37:00 Every year the all type of pooja celebrations require more security against islamic terrorism, We should also read Kuran Sura 9 to know the ideology behind the terror. Posted By : priyesh 07/25/2010 19:02:16 BE HAPPY ALWAYS this is the line which god want every indian to follow. so it mean that if u r happy then god is happy with u.keep smiling always Posted By : satish mahajan 07/25/2010 18:02:26 he is loard of loards having a very beautifull look but funny he is my best friends he is the one who give me the hint evry time whenever i am confuse in any situation Posted By : Murari Sadanandam 07/25/2010 15:51:49 Ganesh Chathurthi festival definitely brings happiness and creates an occassion for all of us to meet. Jai Ganpati Bappa Moraya Posted By : Kirthi Sangani 07/23/2010 14:52:14 Gannpati Bappa Moraya Love u bappa Rgds Kirthi Sangani Posted By : Guest Tour 07/18/2010 20:07:23 i trust in lord ganesha.......... Posted By : U.H.BHOITE 07/18/2010 20:03:39 Ganesh festival brings all Indians especialy,Hindus,under one roof.It leads to sence of belonging in one group.By this way,Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak did great start for freedam of India. Posted By : Guest 07/02/2010 16:29:30 I like the festival of peace.... festival can make u happy without happiness bloom itself from the window of peace. ...the festival in which real peace dwells I like the most. Ananda Posted By : Roshan Sah 06/21/2010 14:12:43 Ganpati bapa morya!!! Posted By : Prathamesh 06/19/2010 08:10:27 I love my india very much. I respect all religions n cultures in our country..specially womens...but god is only one.....dats wat i see in my ganpati bappa.....bolo ganpati bappa ki jai..... Posted By : GAUMSI 06/06/2010 12:38:40 in ganesh festival all come together any enjoy pooja . THATS WHY I LIKE GANESH FESTIVAL Posted By : rajesh khandelwal 05/28/2010 22:08:00 Om Gangan Pataye Namah !!!!!!!!! Posted By : tushar 05/22/2010 01:49:14 ganpati bappa morya Posted By : Mandar Sunthankar 05/17/2010 09:54:24 It should be noted that Lokmanya Tilak made Ganesh festival a 10 day event, and a significant part of his independence moement. This is one of the few occasions at which people were allowed to gather and cellebrate. This became an opportunity to speard the message of Swarajya to population. That is the reason it became the most popular even in Maharashtra. Posted By : Puttanna Mahabala Shetty 04/20/2010 10:51:06 VAKRATUNDA MAHAKAYA SURYAKOTI SAMAPRABHA NIRVIGNAM KURUME DEVA SARVA KARYESHU SARVADA. MOOSIKHA VAHANA MODAKA HASTA CHAMARA KARNA VILAMBITHA SOOTHRA VAMANA ROOPA MAHESWARA PUTRA VIGNA VINAYAKA NAMASTE NAMASTE NAMAHA. MAY LORD GANESHA BLESS ALL. Posted By : Akash Sharma 04/18/2010 21:38:49 I like diwali bcz on that time my whole family members worship of all gods....including ganesha bhagwan....i wrote this comment bcz i am leaving from my parents and my wife from last two years.... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7             Bindaas Poll | MeraGang | GlamnGlory | Bindaas Photos | Bindaas Jokes | Bindaas News | Bindaas Travel | Bindaas Fashion Jai Shree Ganesha | Ganesh Festival 2009 | Ganpati Festival in Maharashtra | Ganpati Bappa | Ganpati Bappa Photos