Patna: ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ chants filled the air across the city on Monday as devotees celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with fervour, gathering at homes and decorated pandals to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for peace and prosperity.Idols were installed at several places, including Maharashtra Mandal on Daroga Rai Path, Mithapur old bus stand, Chitkohra Bazaar, Patna City and Danapur. The Maharashtra Mandal celebration was a major attraction with a six-foot replica of Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja, specially made in Maharashtra, installed at the pandal. Its “pran Pratishtha” was performed at 9.30am. A gold crown studded with diamonds, emeralds and rubies was placed on the idol, while the pandal was designed on the lines of Madurai’s iconic Meenakshi Temple.Governor Syed Ata Hasnain visited the pandal wearing a turban and performed puja and aarti. Hasnain said Lord Ganesha was regarded as the first deity to be worshipped and the god of wisdom.CM Samrat Choudhary also offered prayers to Lord Ganesha at the same pandal. The Mandal members welcomed him with a bouquet, shawl, memento and a traditional turban. The CM hailed the members for organising the festival and prayed for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the people of Bihar.Priests from Maharashtra performed a special puja. Mandal president Sanjay Bhosle said Pandit Prashant Jahagirdar had travelled from Sangli for the ritual. Bhog prasad was distributed among devotees.Devotees offered “durva” grass, red flowers, vermilion and Shamipatra leaves, while modaks, laddus, fruits and sweets were offered as prasad. Bhajans, kirtans and aarti continued into the evening as colourful lights and flowers added to the festive atmosphere.Women also embraced Maharashtrian traditions, wearing nine-yard Nauvari saris and nose rings. “I love the Marathi look, which is why I came to worship in traditional attire,” said Priyanka, a devotee.
