Mumbai: Amidst cheery shouts of "Ganapati Bappa Morya", the God of Wisdom arrived on September 10 in multi-dimensional forms, carved out of clay, rosewood, pure marble, lustrous gold as well as in blinding shimmer of white diamonds, marking the 10-day long Ganpati festival all over Maharashtra.

Reclining on a golden throne or seated under a seven-headed snake canopy, the son of Parvati and Shiva, arrived atop trucks, on bedecked handcarts, in plush limousine and even on sinewy shoulders of his unfazed devotees, amidst rhythmic drum beats and loud notes of the bugle.

The Lord was installed in varying ambience of little thatched huts, in one-bedroom flats, in ostentatious interiors of sprawling bungalows and amidst gigantic pedestals erected in the middle of busy street to the accompaniment of gentle chimings of brass bells and devotional chorus of "Jaidev Jaidev, Jai Mangal-Murti".

The Lord, bedecked in a garland of crimson hibiscus and "durba", walked into homes, decorated with fresh rangoli and bright flames of diyas, dipped in camphor. The God, atop his mouse vehicle, was offered steamed "Modaks", his favourite mouthwatering treat, while the priest chanted the "mantras" and performed the "aarti" as heady smell of incense filled the atmosphere. Women dressed in traditional gold- embroidered "nauwari" sarees and pearl noserings invoked the blessings of the benevolent God.

At public places, the puja was performed amidst taped voices of renowned singers ringing through the street. Scores of people, dressed in their colourful best, joined in the aarti and consumed the traditional "prasad".

Meanwhile, Ganesh Chaturthi, which heralds the advent of festival season, was celebrated with religious fervor and enthusiasm in Andhra Pradesh.

Long queues of devotees thronged the Ganesh temple at downtown Secunderabad, Laxmi Ganapathi temple at RTC cross roads and other temples in the city.

In Chittoor district, the famous Kanipakam Siddivinayaka temple was tastefully decorated for the Navratri (nine-day) festival which attracts devotees from all over the state and the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

In Pune, the cultural capital of the state, the elephant-headed God was installed in several Ganesh pandals. In five most important Ganesh Mandals Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi-Jogeshwari Ganapati, Guruji Talim Ganapati, Tulshibaug Ganapati and Kesariwada Ganpati, the deities known as "Manache Ganpati", were considered to be most sacred and revered.

The city has special significance as the concept of Sarvajanik (community) Ganapati was started by Lokmanya Tilak to mobilise the masses against the British regime and inculcate a spirit of patriotism. Later lakhs of people started installing Ganpati idols in their homes.

The 10-day Ganesh Chathurthi festival commenced all over Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry with traditional gaiety and religious fervour on September 10.

In the state capital people thronged platform shops since early morning to purchase clay replicas of Lord Ganesh of various sizes and colourful paper umberellas and fruits.

In many temples serpentine queues of devotees were seen.

PTI