Mumbai: Devotees thronged the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple in Mumbai on Wednesday to offer prayers on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The ten-day festivities, which start on the Ganesh Chaturthi date of August 27, 2025, will conclude on Anantha Chaturdashi on September 6, 2025.

Significance of the festival

The ten-day celebration, observed from the Vinayaka Chaturthi 2025 date, starts with 'Chaturthi' and ends with 'Anantha Chaturdashi'. The festive period, which begins on the Vinayaka Chaturthi 2025 date, is also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayak Chavithi'. The festival celebrates Ganesha as the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles' as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence.

For the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols to their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals during the festival.

Celebrated across the country, the festival sees lakhs of devotees gathering in temples and mandals to seek blessings from Lord Ganesh.

Unveiling of Lalbaugcha Raja

Earlier on Sunday, the first look of Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja was unveiled. Crafted with unmatched artistry, Lalbaugcha Raja isn't merely an idol; it's a symbol of collective faith, artistic mastery, and the vibrant spirit of Mumbai.

Every year, millions of devotees come here for darshan. The unveiling of the Lalbaugcha Raja, the iconic Ganesh idol, is another main attraction of the festival.

The history of the Lalbaugcha Raja is quite famous, as it is the popular Ganesh Idol of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, located at Putlabai Chawl, a worship place founded in 1934.

The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganapati idol has been taken care of by the Kambli family for over eight decades.

Maharashtra declares Ganeshotsav as state festival

Earlier in July, the Maharashtra government declared the public Ganeshotsav as the "Maharashtra State Festival."

The announcement was made in the Legislative Assembly by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who said the tradition of public Ganeshotsav was started in Maharashtra in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak.

Ganpati special train flagged off

Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the Ganpati Special train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Sawantwadi in Konkan.

Special travel arrangements announced

Fadnavis said that 367 special trains and 550 buses will operate to help residents travel to their hometowns in Konkan, with support from Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav.

Speaking to the reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said, "Konkan residents living in Mumbai go to their hometowns to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi... With the blessings of Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, 367 special trains will be run for Konkan this year. BJP has sponsored many trains... 550 buses will also be run especially for Konkan..."

Record number of Ganpati special train trips

Indian Railways has announced 380 Ganpati Special train trips for 2025, the highest ever, ensuring smooth and comfortable travel for devotees and passengers during the festive season.

In 2023, a total of 305 Ganpati Special train trips were operated, while in 2024, the number increased to 358.

Central Railway will operate the highest number of 296 services, addressing the heavy festive travel demand in Maharashtra and the Konkan region. Western Railway will operate 56 Ganpati Special trips, Konkan Railway (KRCL) 6 trips, and South Western Railway 22 trips.

Halts across Konkan railway route

The halts of Ganpati Special trains serving over Konkan Railway have been planned at Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Goregaon Road, Veer, Sape Warmne, Karanjadi, Vinhere, Diwankhavati, Kalambani Budruk, Khed, Anjani, Chiplun, Kamathe, Sawarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Zarap, Sawantwadi Road, Madure, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon Jn, Karwar, Gokama Road, Kumta, Murdeshwar, Mookambika Road, Kundapura, Udupi, Mulki and Surathkal.

Cultural importance and government’s commitment

"This festival is deeply rooted in social, national, freedom, self-respect, and linguistic pride. It continues in the same spirit today. It is a matter of pride and honour for Maharashtra," Shelar had told the Assembly.

He emphasised that the Government of Maharashtra is committed to preserving and promoting the cultural significance and global presence of this festival.

ANI