New Delhi [India], August 27 (ANI): Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, extended heartfelt greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
He highlighted the significant role played by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in linking Ganeshotsav with the national movement to promote unity and harmony during the freedom struggle.
In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “Heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on the occasion of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi. Great freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had linked Ganeshotsav with the national movement to promote unity and harmony during the freedom struggle.”
Lokmanya Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi into a mass celebration, using it as a platform to ignite patriotism and unite people across castes and communities. He initiated the public celebration of Ganesh festival in 1893, aiming to bridge the gap between Brahmins and non-Brahmins.
Kharge emphasised the importance of following the core spirit of the freedom struggle, which embodied love, unity, and brotherhood. He wished for happiness, prosperity, and well-being to be present in everyone’s life.
Kharge added, “It is our wish that we all continue to walk on the path of the true spirit of the freedom struggle–rooted in love, unity, and brotherhood–and may happiness, prosperity, and well-being reside in everyone’s life.”
Meanwhile, the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities kicked off on Wednesday with joy and fervour across the country. Devotees in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati are celebrating the auspicious occasion with devotion and happiness.
Aartis were performed in major temples across the country on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
On this occasion, devotees flocked to the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple in Mumbai to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The ten-day festival, starting today, will conclude on Anantha Chaturdashi.
From grand processions to traditional rituals, the celebrations in the country began in full swing, marking the start of this joyful festival across India.
In Maharashtra’s Pune, aarti was performed at the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati Bhavan on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Hundreds of devotees in Pune’s Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati Bhavan celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with fervour, beating drums, dhols, and nagadas as they celebrated the festival.
In Nagpur, devotees in large numbers offered prayers at the Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Devotees in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad thronged in large numbers at the Ganesh Temple in Vastrapur on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees arrived at the Ganpati temple in Thiruvananthapuram to offer prayers.
In Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli, a large crowd of devotees gathered at the Manika Vinayagar Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Devotees in large numbers flocked to Sri Arulmigu Mundhi Vinayagar Temple in Coimbatore to offer prayers on this occasion.
Devotees thronged the Ganesh temple in Assam’s Guwahati and offered prayers to Lord Ganesh on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
This ten-day festival starts with ‘Chaturthi’ and ends on ‘Anantha Chaturdashi’. The festive period 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.
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 stated that the tradition of public Ganeshotsav was initiated in Maharashtra in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak.
“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)
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed of ANI; only the image & headline may have been reworked by News Services Division of World News Network Inc Ltd and Palghar News and Pune News and World News
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