MUMBAI: Shri Ganesh Jayanti or Maghi Ganeshotsav, the festival of Lord Ganesh’s birth, will be celebrated with devotion and fanfare across Maharashtra on Thursday Jan 22.Maghi mandals are preparing to host Ganesh idols for 7-10 days and will perform visarjan thereafter.Malad-based priest Pt Bharat Bhushan Mishra said, “This is the day to propitiate Lord Ganesh who is the bestower of knowledge and intelligence. Thursday’s puja mahurat spans 6.00-7.41 am, and thereafter from 10.31 am to 3.00 pm.” Meanwhile Friday Jan 23 is Basant Panchami which also marks Saraswati Puja. People wear yellow outfits and kite flying is a common pastime across the subcontinent. Pt Mishra said, “Goddess Saraswati governs wisdom, arts, knowledge and education. Artists, singers, performing artistes all make sure to worship her. Traditionally children are initiated into education and taught to write their first alphabet. People perform Vaastu Puja in their homes, offices and factories. Basant Panchami is usually deemed auspicious for weddings but this time since Venus (Shukra) is combust (ast) not many marriages are scheduled to take place.“
