Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in Ranthambore

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most spectacular Hindu festivals in Ranthambore, which is honors the birth of the elephant headed God "Lord Ganesha", the son of Shiva and Parvati. This is the supreme God of the wisdom, happiness and prosperity therefore, to overcome obstacles and to bring good luck is worshiped. This festival is also known "Vinayak Chaturthi" in Hindu community. 

Ganesh temple in Ranthambore is located at majestic Ranthambore Fort, which is around 14 km from Sawai Madhopur town. Ranthambore Fort is well known tourist attraction in Sawai Madhopur. Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration starts at late August or early September. It is dependent on the cycles of the moon. It is observed as per Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada and it is believed that lord Ganesha was born on the shukla chaturthi, the fourth day after new moon. The celebration date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days and ends on Anant Chaturdashi , fourteenth day of the waxing moon period.

Ranthambore has special place for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Rajasthan and it is largest and popular fair in Sawai Madhopur. It is also known as lakhi Mela in Ranthambore. Not only from Rajasthan but also every corner of the country, around three-four million devotees come to Ranthambore Ganesh temple during festival for seek blessings from Lord Ganesha every year, but in Ranthambore this festival organized just for 03 days. During Ranthambore Ganesha Fair, people performs traditional and rituals. People start preparing in advance for this festival. They make eco-friendly idols. They Prepares yummy sweet dishes and think about modernize decoration to celebrate the festival in a grandiose manner. People of Hinduism also follow rituals in bringing the Ganesha Idol at home. Many of them like to perform the installation of the Idol (Ganesh Sthaapna) and immersion (Ganesh visarjan).

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, devotees take part in the singing of devotional songs "Bhajans", dancing and praising Lord Ganesha. All devotees are covered with slogans of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" in the procession. A countless number of devotees visit the temple for prayers and pay their respect to Lord Ganesha during the festival. A ceremony is held to invoke holy presence into Ganesh idol. During this ceremony or Puja a number of mantras are recited. In a special worship, devotees offer sweets, rice, flowers, coconut and money to the Lord Ganesha.

 An interesting aspect and belief is that first wedding invitation is sent to Lord Ganesha to attend the marriage and these invitations or letters are delivered by the local post mail every day. Some people also enclose money to enable Lord Ganesha to pay for his fare. There are many small shops set up at the fair. The small number of shops in the fair draws attention of tourist and visitors. In these shops you can find general merchandise, local toys, small trinkets, hand-made mattresses, sculptures, local wildlife & Gansha painting and colorful cloth. Ranthambore becomes a unique pilgrimage site during Ganesh Chaturthi fair.