Ganpati arrives in nation amid fanfare; Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations begin – See pics

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Ganesh Chaturthi which commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the adored elephant-headed god who is regarded as the remover of barriers and the god of beginnings, wisdom and wealth. Ganesh Chaturthi holds great cultural, religious and social importance. In addition to commemorating Lord Ganesha’s birth, it also honours the virtues he personifies, that is prosperity, patience, perseverance and wisdom. (Photo: PTI)

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Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, in Chennai. (Photo: PTI)

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 Devotees carry an idol of Lord Ganesh on ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival, in Hubballi. (Photo: PTI)

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with his family members after ‘pranpratishtha’ of Lord Ganesh at his official residence on Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

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Union Minister Chirag Paswan offers prayers before Lord Ganesha idol on Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (Photo: PTI)

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray offers prayers before Lord Ganesha idol on Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (Photo: PTI)

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People travel in a car with an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh on the first day of the ten-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Mumbai. (Photo: Reuters)

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People push a cart carrying an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh on the first day of the ten-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival, on a street in Mumbai. (Photo: Reuters)

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An artisan gives final touches to an idol of Lord Ganesh ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Guwahati. (Photo: PTI)

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A woman walks past clay idols of Lord Ganesh, being displayed for sale, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

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Artists prepare an idol of Lord Ganesha covered with chess pieces ahead of the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival, in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

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Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan performs ‘puja’ before Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi festival, at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

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Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant performs ‘aarti’ before Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Kothambhi. (Photo: PTI)

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Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesh at the Lalbaugcha Raja on Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with family during Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Vijayawada. (Photo: PTI)