sweet celebrations & symbols
This steamed rice-flour dumpling, filled with sweet coconut and jaggery, is Lord Ganesha’s absolute favorite sweet.
What is a Modak?
These two major Hindu deities are recognized as Lord Ganesha’s parents.
Who are Lord Shiva and Parvati?
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha and falls in this Hindu lunar month (August–September).
What is Bhadrapada?
This small, humble creature serves as Lord Ganesha’s official divine vehicle (vahana).
What is a mouse (or rat/Mooshak)?
Lord Ganesha earned the name Ekadanta because of this distinct physical feature.
What is having one broken tusk?
This Indian freedom fighter transformed Ganesh Utsav into a grand public festival in 1893 to unite people against British rule.
Who is Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak?
Traditionally, this specific number of Modaks is offered as a sacred prasadam during the festival rituals.
What is 21?
According to legend, Ganesha broke off his tusk to transcribe this ancient epic as Sage Vyasa dictated it.
What is the Mahabharata?
This state in western India is world-renowned for holding the largest and most grand public Ganesh Utsav celebrations.
What is Maharashtra?
This green grass, consisting of three blades joined together, is an essential offering made to Lord Ganesha during daily pooja.
What is Durva grass (or Dhurva)?
Looking at this on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi is traditional taboo because it is believed to bring false accusations.
What is the Moon?
The public mandals (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav) were first conceptualized in this Maharashtrian city in the late 19th century.
What is Pune (or Mumbai)?
Lord Ganesha holds this traditional weapon in one of his upper hands, symbolizing the severing of worldly attachments.
What is an axe (Parashu) or goad (Ankusha)?
When asked to travel around the world in a race against his brother Kartikeya, Ganesha won by simply walking around these two figures.
Who are his parents (Shiva and Parvati)?
Founded in 1893 in Pune, this is recognized as the very first public (Sarvajanik) Ganesha idol installed by Tilak's movement.
What is the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati (or Keshavji Naik Chawl)?