India festival: Hindu devotees celebrate birthday of Lord Ganesha
An Indian artisan decorates an idol of Hindu god Lord Ganesh at a roadside market ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi on Sept. 7, 2013. The 10-day festival started on Sept. 9 and celebrates the birthday of the elephant-headed Ganesh, considered the patron of arts and sciences, and the deity of intellect and wisdom.
Millions of Indian Hindu devotees are this week celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival marking the birthday of the popular elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha.
Lord Ganesha is the god of new beginnings, wisdom and prosperity and Indians traditionally offer prayers to him at the start of new business ventures or trips.
Devotees bring idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes to worship during the festival, which culminates with the immersion of the statues in bodies of water.
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