Ganesh Chaturthi Aug 27, 2025

Marking ten days of devotion, rituals and community spirit, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the country"s most cherished festivals. Rooted in deep cultural and religious significance, the celebration honours the beloved elephant-headed deity, a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. Festivities begin with the installation of intricately crafted idols, or murtis, placed in homes and on grand public pandals (temporary stages). Over the next ten days, communities come alive with prayer, music and cultural performances. The festival culminates in a vibrant procession on Ananta Chaturdashi, as the murtis are immersed in rivers or seas in a ritual known as visarjana, symbolising a respectful farewell.

© Amith Nag Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
40 years of recovery
Aug 27, 2024Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Aug 27, 2026World Lake Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 15, 2024The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Dec 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey
Mar 19, 2026Short-beaked echidna, Adelaide Hills, Australia
Feb 3, 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
Jan 8, 2025Great Wall of China
Jul 17, 2025Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France
A breathtaking cave when it’s cold
Staying in the loop
Dec 11, 2025International Mountain Day
Jun 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA
Nov 30, 2024Male white rhinoceroses, Lake Nakuru, Kenya
Aug 21, 2024Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Nov 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Jul 18, 2024Coral Reef Awareness Week
Oct 26, 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
See-through cephalopod
Sep 1, 2023Backwaters of Kerala, India
Chilling out on an ice floe
A train journey to remember
Huddled and hunting
Mar 5, 2024Bangkok, Thailand
Jan 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Nov 7, 2023Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
What can you see from this tower?
Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
A road not for the faint of heart
Nov 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Oct 8, 2024World Octopus Day