INDIA, September 8, 2024 (The Hindu): Vinayaka Chathurthi was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across the south on Saturday (September 7, 2024), with prominent leaders joining the celebrations in their respective States. A festive mood prevailed as people gathered in large numbers to offer worship in temples and grandeur marked the occasion with the installation of large Ganesha statues in Chennai and Hyderabad, among other cities. Prominent Ganesha temples such as the ones at Pillayarpatti in Sivaganga and Malaikottai in Tiruchirappalli, both in Tamil Nadu, and the Manakula Vinayakar temple in neighboring Puducherry teemed with devotees.

In Tamil Nadu, the famous Ganesha temple (Malaikottai Uchhi Pillayar) atop a hill in Tiruchirappalli was decked up for the festival. In keeping with the tradition, a huge Kozhukattai, a sweet made from rice flour, jaggery and coconut was made for the Deity. It was packed in a big vessel and it was suspended from a decorated bamboo pole and it was carried all the way up to the hill temple by people to offer it to Lord Ganesha. Traditional music was played and a pontiff led the procession of offering the mega sized sweet, which weighs over 220 pounds, to the Lord. Similarly, the festival was celebrated with spiritual fervor at the ancient Pillayarpatti temple with devotees lining up the temple precincts to have darshan and a Theerthavari (poojas in temple tank) was held.

More on the festivities at source.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vinayaka-chathurthi-celebrated-with-fervour-leaders-join-celebrations/article68617591.ece

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