Ganesh Chaturthi festival starts in India – in pictures

  • An Indian devotee offers prayer to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha, in Mumbai, India. EPA
    An Indian devotee offers prayer to an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha, in Mumbai, India. EPA
  • Musicians perform in front of a 50-feet tall clay idol of the Hindu deity, marking the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Hyderabad. AFP
    Musicians perform in front of a 50-feet tall clay idol of the Hindu deity, marking the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Hyderabad. AFP
  • A man gives finishing touches to an idol of elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha on a vehicle during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. AP Photo
    A man gives finishing touches to an idol of elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha on a vehicle during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Ahmedabad, India. AP Photo
  • The festival, which started on Wednesday, commemorates the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu God. AP Photo
    The festival, which started on Wednesday, commemorates the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu God. AP Photo
  • Devotees carry a Ganesha idol in Mumbai. AP Photo
    Devotees carry a Ganesha idol in Mumbai. AP Photo
  • Worshippers traditionally install a clay Ganesha idol in their homes, while the elephant-headed God is also displayed in many public places. AFP
    Worshippers traditionally install a clay Ganesha idol in their homes, while the elephant-headed God is also displayed in many public places. AFP
  • The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi jamboree gets under way in Mumbai. EPA
    The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi jamboree gets under way in Mumbai. EPA
  • A passer-by takes a selfie in Mumbai. AFP
    A passer-by takes a selfie in Mumbai. AFP
  • Police maintain security during festival celebrations in Hyderabad. AP Photo
    Police maintain security during festival celebrations in Hyderabad. AP Photo
  • Another idol of the Hindu deity is paraded on a float on the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. AFP
    Another idol of the Hindu deity is paraded on a float on the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. AFP
  • Hindu devotees were enjoying the festivities in the absence of coronavirus restrictions for the first time since 2019. AFP
    Hindu devotees were enjoying the festivities in the absence of coronavirus restrictions for the first time since 2019. AFP