Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration in Singapore

Ganesh Chaturthi is one among the most popular of Hindu festivals which are widely celebrated not only in India but in overseas countries also. As per Hindu calendar, it occurs on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September). Ganesh Chaturthi is observed across India, as well as by Hindu devotees in other parts of the world.

Lord Ganesha is a popular Hindu deity generally known as the elephant-headed God. As per Hindu rituals and customs, he is worshipped first of all in any type of prayers or spiritual ceremonies. Lord Ganesha is God of power and wisdom. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated as birthday of Lord Ganesha. The optimum zeal and excitement for this festival can be seen in Maharashtra especially in Mumbai and Pune.

As reasonable number of Indians moved to different overseas countries such as USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, for better life standards and job opportunities, Ganesh Chaturthi celebration can be seen in its grand form in Singapore as there are Marathi communities such as Maharashtra Mandal which organizes Ganesh Pooja and other cultural & religious events on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi.

Indian ladies in Singapore celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home and if possible then go to the temple in the evening. They decorate small Ganesha Idol with flowers and other decorative materials and then apply kumkum and turmeric. Sugarcane and corn are presented to Lord Ganesha as offerings. They decorate their front gate with bunch of mango leaves. Ladies offer all types of fruits available on that particular season such as banana, apple mango, guava, orange, pomegranate, etc on a plate to Lord Ganesh. Plum is a fruit which specially offered to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious occasion. Coconut, beetle leaves and nuts are also offered to Lord Ganesha as a ritual.

Generally, people in Singapore celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi collectively in communities. Maharashtra Mandal is a community of Marathi in Singapore. The organization collects funds for arrangements and celebration. A huge Ganesha Idol is installed in a Mandap. Ganesha Idol is decorated artistically with various ornamental arrangements. Flowers, fruits, modaks, coconut, sugarcanes, beetle leaves and nuts etc offered to Lord Ganesha and then all people sing Aarti together. After that various cultural and artistic events such as folk dance, classical music, plays, etc are organized and people participate in these events with much enthusiasm and zeal.