Gaṇeśa Caturthi 2147: San Francisco, California

Gaṇeśa Caturthi (Vināyaka Caturthi, Gaṇeśotsava) falls on the fourth day of Bhādrapada's bright fortnight and celebrates the birthday of Lord Gaṇeśa, the elephant-headed son of Śiva and Pārvatī, the remover of obstacles and lord of new beginnings.

The day begins with Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā: the ritual installation and consecration of a clay Gaṇeśa idol. The ideal muhūrta for installation falls in the Madhyāhna (midday) period, when Gaṇeśa's energy is said to be most potent. After installation, the idol is worshipped with modaka (his favourite sweet), dūrvā grass, red flowers, and coconut. The Atharvaśīrṣa (Gaṇapati Upaniṣad) is recited throughout the day.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Gaṇeśa Caturthi is the prohibition on viewing the moon on this night. Mythology holds that the Moon laughed at Gaṇeśa for riding a mouse, and Gaṇeśa cursed him with the punishment that anyone who sees the Moon on this night will be falsely accused. If accidentally sighted, the antidote is to listen to or recite the story of Śyamantaka Maṇi from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa.

The festival became a mass public celebration in Pune in 1893 when Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed it from a household pūjā into a community gathering: using it as a means of uniting people across caste lines during the independence movement.