Women offer mass prayer to lord Ganesha in Pune
4 Sep 2008, 1458 Hrs

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Pune, Sep 4 (ANI): On the second day of the ten-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival, that marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, hundreds of women devotees gathered here to pray together.

Dressed in traditional attire, they performed the 'Maha Arti' or the main prayer early in the morning.

The women sat on the road in front of the Dagdusheth temple and offered mass prayers, a tradition that is decades old.

"This is an all women festival. Only, we take part in this and pray to the lord to clear all obstacles that might come our way," said Prachi Gaavdi, a devotee.

"I've been coming here for a long time. It's very peaceful," said Madhuri Randive another devotee.

The festival is very popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Legend has it that Hindu Goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva had created Ganesha from a perfumed putty-like substance, and made him to stand outside her abode not to allow anybody in, while was having a bath.

Shiva flew into rage on not being allowed in by the boy and beheaded him.

Soon realizing his mistake, Shiva brought Ganesha back to life by putting an elephant head on his shoulders.

Thus was created Ganesha, the lord of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is worshipped by Hindus at the beginning of every auspicious occasion. (ANI)