Maharashtra: CM Shinde offers prayers with family on Ganesh Chaturthi; wishes for prosperity of countrymen

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 7 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offered ‘Aarti’ along with his family members on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and wished for the happiness and prosperity of countrymen on the festival.

Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Shinde said, “I send my heartfelt best wishes to all the people of the country. I wish that Lord Ganesha’s blessings be upon everyone and that everyone’s life be filled with happiness, prosperity, and joy.”

“We all should pray to Ganpati Bappa wholeheartedly today. Ganeshotsav has begun in Maharashtra. Ganpati Bappa has arrived today. Prayers are being offered, and idols are being installed with devotion everywhere,” said CM Shinde.

Adding further, CM Shinde said, “May the lives of farmers be joyous too. This time there has been good rainfall. The state government is working hard to support the farmers where there has been heavy rainfall.”

“The state government has taken several decisions for the development of the public of Maharashtra. The youth will get more employment opportunities. Various schemes have been implemented to empower women,” said CM Shinde.

Meanwhile, former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi Thackeray and their son and party leader Aaditya Thackeray arrived at the Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan performed the Ganesh puja and aarti at his residence, ‘Jal Bhushan,’ in Raj Bhavan on Saturday to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

The governor was joined by his family, as well as officers and staff from Raj Bhavan. An Aarti was performed at the governor’s residence as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival, begins today and will end on Anantha Chaturdashi. Devotees across Maharashtra are preparing for celebrations by bringing idols home and visiting pandals.

The first look of Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja was unveiled on Thursday evening, days ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The history of the Lalbaugcha Raja has been quite famous as it is the popular Ganesh Idol of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, located at Putlabai Chawl, a worship place founded in 1934.

The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganapati idol has been taken care of by the Kambli family for over eight decades. In Nagpur’s Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began with traditional morning prayers and ‘aarti’. This temple, reportedly 250 years old, is known for its self-existent deity, whose shrine is said to grow over time.