India began its annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival on September 14, with Hindu families and community groups installing brightly decorated idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and public shrines. The festival, a major Hindu celebration, saw widespread participation as devotees offered prayers and sought blessings. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, joined the festivities, emphasizing the cultural and religious significance of the event. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also participated in the celebrations, visiting the Lalbaugcha Raja temple in Mumbai. The festival, which typically lasts ten days, involves the installation of large idols of the elephant-headed deity, followed by processions and rituals. In Hyderabad, devotees gathered to worship a giant idol, marking the start of the festival with traditional dances and ceremonies. The event highlighted the deep-rooted traditions and communal spirit of India’s Hindu population.