What is Vinayaka Chavithi? Vinayaka Chavithi, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha — the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles. 📅 When is it Celebrated? It falls on the Chaturthi (4th day) of the Bhadrapada month (August–September) as per the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2025, Vinayaka Chavithi is on August 29 (Friday) (date may vary based on region and moon sighting). 🙏 Significance Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the start of any auspicious event. People pray to him for success, good fortune, and to remove obstacles (Vighnas). It marks the beginning of festive season in India. 🛕 How is it Celebrated? 1. Puja at Home or Temples A clay idol of Lord Ganesha is brought home or installed in public pandals. People clean the house and set up a decorated place for the idol. Offerings like modak, undrallu, fruits, flowers, and durva grass are made. Special mantras and stories (Vinayaka Vratha Katha) are recited. 2. Ganapati Vratham / Katha Devotees perform Vinayaka Vratham by reading or listening to the Ganapathi Katha. Fasting or light meals may be observed. 3. Immersion (Visarjan) After 1, 3, 5, 7, or 11 days, the idol is taken in a grand procession and immersed in water, symbolizing Ganesha's return to Mount Kailash. 🥮 Prasadam (Offerings) Undrallu, Modakam, Laddu, Payasam, Poornalu, and fruits. These are offered to the deity and later distributed as prasad.