India celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi festival today, PM Modi greets nation

The city of Mumbai, along with the rest of India, welcomed the elephant-headed Lord Ganesh amid much hype and fervour, beginning the season of festivity which will continue till Christmas in December.

"Wishing everyone a blessed Ganesh Chaturthi," Modi tweeted.

The ten-day Vinayak or Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, Hindu God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

President Ram Nath Kovind also wished the nation and tweeted: "Ganpati Bappa Morya! Greetings and good wishes to fellow citizens on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.May the blessings of Lord Ganesh bring peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone's lives. PresidentKovind."

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said: "In India it is a common practice to invoke and chant the name of Lord Ganesh before the start of any good work, so that all obstacles are removed and success is achieved.May this festival bring peace, harmony and prosperity in our country. #GaneshChaturthi."

Although the festival celebrated across India, it is most popular in Maharashtra where over 10,000 idols are worshipped in Mumbai alone.

In Mumbai, one can see the largest idols in the country; height of some Ganesh idols even soars up to sixty feet.

It was a busy day for Mumbai on Sunday as the city echoed with chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Moraya' with idols arriving at residences and pandals.

Mumbai's famous Siddhi Vinayak temple has been adorned with flowers and decorative lights. The security of the temple complex has also been tightened up.

The most popular Ganesh idol is worshipped at Lalbaugcha Raja near Lower Parel where the theme is king's durbar (court).

Another popular Ganesh puja takes place at Ganesh Galli, near Lower Parel.

One of the tallest idols in the city is worshipped at Chandanwadi at Kalbadevi.

Heavy security arrangements have been made in Mumbai for the festival.