Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Vinayaka Chathurhi is celebrated throughout India by Hindus with a great enthusiasm on the birthday of Lord Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha) the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.  This year Chathurhi fell on September 9th.

Tradtionally on this day devotees clean their houses to welcome Lord Vinakaya into their homes.The vinayaka statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing and fanfare after which it is immersed in a river or the sea.