Goa: CM Sawant offers prayers to Vinayak on Ganesh Chaturthi; extends greetings on festival

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant extended wishes to the people on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Saturday and said that the festival is celebrated across the state with great pomp and show.
"I extend my best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Ganesh Chaurthi. Ganesh festival is celebrated in Goa with great pomp and show in every household. I extend my best wishes to all the countrymen who come to Goa to see the Ganesh Pujan and to all the people who come to Goa from all over the country," CM Sawant told ANI.
The Goa Chief Minister performed pooja and rituals on the festival along with his wife and other family members.
Visuals show Goa CM Pramod Sawant offering prayers to Lord Ganesh on the occasion.
Wife of Goa CM Pramod Sawant, Sulakshana Sawant also spoke on the occasion and said, "Ganesh Chaturthi is a very grand festival in Goa. The festival is celebrated with joy and happiness across the city. I extend best wishes to all those who celebrate the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan performed the Ganesh puja and aarti at his residence, 'Jal Bhushan,' in Raj Bhavan on Saturday to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
The governor was joined by his family, as well as officers and staff from Raj Bhavan. An aarti was performed at the governor's residence as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Earlier, on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to Indians worldwide.
"On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," she said.
The President highlighted the festival's role in promoting harmony and called on citizens to work for a peaceful and prosperous India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished the nation, saying, "Heartiest greetings of Ganesh Chaturthi to all countrymen. Ganpati Bappa Morya."
Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival, begins today and will end on Anantha Chaturdashi.
The festive period is also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayak Chavithi'. It celebrates Ganesha as the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles' as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence.
It is celebrated with much fervour across the country, with lakhs of devotees converging into mandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh.For the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols to their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals during the festival.