Ganesh Chaturthi Sep 7, 2024

Ganesh Chaturthi

Get ready to dance and paint the town red; it"s Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival honours Ganesha, revered as the Hindu deity of fresh starts and the dispeller of challenges, along with being the embodiment of wisdom and intellect. Celebrated across the Indian subcontinent, it brings together people in a joyous observance. The exact origins of the festival are not clear, but it has been a prominent public celebration in Pune since the time of King Shivaji, who ruled from 1630 to 1680. Later freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar popularised it in Maharashtra in 1893. This move aimed to foster a "Hindu nationalist identity" and resist British colonial rule.

© Priti Bhatt/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Back to the future
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Sep 7, 2025Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława river, Poland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 1, 2024Pride Month
Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington
The rivers run through us
This blue succulent is as good as gold here
Jun 27, 2024Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Dec 24, 2023Christmas Eve
Oct 13, 2025Fishing boat on beach in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
Sep 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
The buffet is open
Oct 5, 2025Jahangir Mahal, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Trusty water-shifters
Wind powered ice racing
Jun 15, 2026Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Jul 10, 2025Guru Purnima
Jun 4, 2025Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy
Jan 2, 2024Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Jun 4, 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Bardia National Park, Nepal
Jun 26, 2026The River Thames, London, England
One giant leap for mankind
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights and hearts full of joy
May 31, 2024Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
Sep 2, 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
Dec 28, 2024Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Celebrating the tropics
Oct 25, 2025Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Sep 1, 2024River Thames, London, England
Jun 17, 2026Tremola Road on the Saint Gotthard Pass in Airolo, Switzerland
Hot enough to howl
Oct 13, 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Apr 24, 2026Everglades National Park, Florida, United States