Sharmili Mallick

Bhubaneswar/Balasore: Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord of wisdom which marks the arrival of festive season in Odisha began with religious fervour and enthusiasm across the State today.

Held on the 4th day of Sukla Pakshya in the month of Bhadrapad, Ganesh Chaturthi is a popular festival observed by people from all walks of life in the State.

Students revered Lord Ganesh in their schools and other educational institutions while gigantic pandals have been erected with artistic idols of the Lord for community gatherings. Apart from pandals and educational institutions, people prayed to Lord Ganesh for good health, wealth and prosperity.

In Balasore, students of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Balia in the district offered mass prayers on the occasion.

[caption id="attachment_398041" align="alignnone" width="750"] Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Balia, Balasore[/caption]

Similarly, amid chants of vedic hymns reverberating the atmosphere, students of Unit VIII Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir performed puja of Lord Ganesh.“In other educational institutions, while priests perform the puja of Lord Ganesh, in our school, students and teachers perform ‘archana’ and other rituals of the Lord,” said a student.

[caption id="attachment_398042" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Students offer mass prayers at Unit VIII Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir in Bhubaneswar on Ganesh Chaturthi[/caption]

“Ganesh is the Lord of wisdom and Ganesha Chaturthi is very important day for students. Like every year, we have come to the school to revere the Lord,” said a student of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Mahanadi Vihar in Cuttack.

In Berhampur, people thronged Siddhi Vinayak Temple at Hillpatna to offer special prayers on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

On the other hand, internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Sunday came up with a beautiful sand sculpture of Lord Ganesh on the Puri sea beach with the messages ‘Say No to Single Use Plastic’ and ‘Save our Environment’.

Meanwhile, CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister DharmendraPradhan and BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda extended their wishes on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

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