Ganesh Chaturthi 2016: Celebrations across India; celebs, politicians, devotees offer prayers to Ganpati Bappa

Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival celebrated by Hindus across the world in honour of Lord Ganesha (the God with the head of an elephant). On this day, devotees pray to the God for prosperity and unhindered new beginnings. Also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayaka Chavithi' the festival is celebrated during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September), ending on the 14th day of the fortnight, called 'Ananta Chaturdashi'. During the festival, local communities put up public pandals for mass worship, while families bring home small clay idols to pray. When the festivities end (this year, it will culminate on September 13), the idols are immersed in a large bodies of water where they disintegrate over time. Here's a look at this year's Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Actor Jitendra along with his son Tusshar celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at their residence in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Actor Govinda along with his family offering puja to the Ganesh idol at his residence in Juhu. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Actor Nana Patekar along with his ganpati at his residence in Matunga. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis celebrated Ganesh Chathurti along with his family at Varsha Bunglow in Mumbai. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran).

Fadnavis had previously said he would instal an eco-friendly Ganesh idol made of clay at his residence. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Harjinder Singh Kukreja, co-owner, Belfrance Bakers & Chocolatiers, Ludhiana said, "A team of three chefs including Chef Chaman and Haider have prepared this edible Ganpati from using rich couverture chocolates of Belgium. It weighs 40 kg and is completely edible." (Express photo by Divya Goyal)

The GSB Seva Mandal Ganesh idol that has been made with over 70kg of gold and nearly 450kg silver at King Circle in Mumbai. The mandal is celebrating having completed 62 years. According to the organisers, the idol is eco-friendly, made up of clay and durva. Water-soluble colours have also been used. The idol's 22-inch crown, both hands, the two feet, his trunk, both ears, the snake belt and severeal other articles have been made of pure gold. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

BJP National president Amit Shah with family at Lalbaugcha Raja on Wednesday. Express photo by Prashant Nadkar

Huge Ganesh idols being carried by Ganesh Mandals result in traffic jams on Kalyan-Dombivali road in Thane. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

TV and film actress Tanaaz, her husband Bakhtiyar Irani, a Parsi film and TV actor, take home an idol of Lord Ganesha on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi in Lalbaug, Mumbai. (Express Photo By-Ganesh Shirsekar)

Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra and their son Viaan take home idol of Lord Ganesha on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

A boy smiles as his family buys an idol of Lord Ganesha on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

A family in Mumbai carries an idol of Lord Ganesha to bring it to their home on the eve of Ganesha Chaturthi. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

An idol of Lord Ganesh on its way to be installed in Kurla as Ganesh Chaturthi begins on 5th September 2016 at Chinpokli. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Devotees transport an idol of Lord Ganesha on a vehicle ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi in Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday, September 3, 2016.(Source: AP)

Guwahati : Artisians busy giving finishing touches to a 28 feet tall idol of Lord Ganesha on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi at Athgaon in Guwahati on Sunday. (source: PTI)

Jammu: A vendor sells Lord Ganesha idols at roadside on the eve of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Jammu on Sunday. (source: PTI)

Ganesh idols in the making for Ganesh Chaturthi at a workshop in Parel. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar, Mumbai)

75-year-old Rajani Pandit has been embellishing Ganesh idols for last 50 years. She works on small idols depite her feeble eyesight. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

An idol of Lord Ganesha being transported on a rickshaw on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Ahmadabad, India, on September 4, 2016. (source: AP)

After worshipping the idols in their homes or at worship venues, devotees immerse them in water bodies at the end of the festival. (source: AP)