Ganesh Chaturthi at Marina Beach last year

Millions of Hindus across the world will today celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the anniversary of the rebirth of Lord Ganesha.

Thousands of worshippers are expected to fill Chennai’s Marina Beach with idols of the elephant-headed deity. The idols will be submerged in the Indian Ocean in a ritual marking the reincarnation of Shiva and Parvati’s son.

Meanwhile the Indian megacity of Mumbai is expected to come to a standstill as giant idols are paraded through the street before being taken to the waterfront.

According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva severed his own son’s head after the two had spent years apart. In a rage, Lord Shiva’s failure to recognise his son lead to the fateful event. Shiva pledged to replace his son’s head with that of the first suitable animal he came across, which happened to be an elephant. Thus was born Lord Ganesha, recognised by his human body and elephant head, and renowned as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Hindus regularly invoke Lord Ganesha before the start of a major project or undertaking.

Karachi’s Hindus celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in 2011 (Image: Reuters)

Ganesh Chaturthi is a major event in the Hindu calendar and is especially important in certain regions of India. It is marked with a public holiday in ten states and union territories in India (including Tamil Nadu). Pakistani Hindus are most numerous in the port city of Karachi where statues of Lord Ganesha will similarly be submerged in the Arabian Sea. Australian Hindus will mostly be at work today, with many having celebrated yesterday or planning to observe the occasion tonight.

UrbanDuniya wishes all of its readers a joyous and festive Ganesh Chaturthi.