MUMBAI, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- India's financial hub Mumbai on Wednesday started the 10-day celebrations of the traditional festival of the elephant god Ganesh, or Ganapati, after two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival begins on Ganesh Chaturthi, the fourth day of Bhadrapad or the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, marking the birth of Lord Ganesh, with the installation of clay idols of Ganesh at home and in public places.
The elephant-headed god is traditionally worshipped in India before any major enterprise and is patronized across the Hindu religious society.
"The Ganesh festival will be celebrated on a larger scale this year, as it is the first after the pandemic years," said Naresh Dahibavkar, head of the umbrella body of some 10,000 mandals in Mumbai BSGSS.
The city civic body has received around 3,000 applications from various communities and associations seeking permission to install the elephant god idol and celebrate the festival in public places in Mumbai.
Greeting the people on the festive occasion, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Best wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shri Ganesh always remain upon us." ■