thebigword celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi!

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the elephant-headed God, Ganesh, on his birthday. With one of our main offices located in Pune, we are joining in with this celebration across the company!

The festival starts on the 10th September and sees idols of Ganesha placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. The worship begins with the pranapratishtha, a ritual to invoke life into the idols and is followed by shhodashopachara, the 16 ways of paying tribute.

The idols are also anointed with red sandalwood paste as well as yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings) which are considered to be his favourite food.

At the end of the festival on the 20th September the idols are carried to local rivers, accompanied by drumbeats, devotional singing and dancing. Afterwards they are immersed in a ritual symbolising Ganesha’s journey to Mount Kailas, the home of his parents.

We would like to send best wishes to all of our employees, clients and linguists who are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi!