Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: India welcomes Ganpati Bappa

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of Hindus in India. On this day, the birth of Ganesha is commemorated and this year, it will be celebrated on September 13. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Ludhiana based Baker Harinder Singh Kukreja crafted 65 kg Belgian chocolate Ganesha for an eco friendly celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Observed with much fervour and excitement, people install handcrafted idols of Ganesha in their homes. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Artist Raghunath Thakur made a special Ganpati Idol using alphabets at his workshop in Mumbai's Byculla. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The celebration will continue for 10 days stretch and it will be a delight to see people ushering in one of the most famous festivals. There is a lot to rejoice and celebrate in the coming days. (Express photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)

Among other cities, Mumbai is famous for organising some of the most famous Ganpati mandals. Several Bollywood celebrities too partake in the festival and bring the idols home, come together and celebrate this festival. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Mumbakars came to Lalbaug to collect Ganpati Idols for their respective homes. The ten day Ganpati Festival starts from Thursday. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Artist Raghunath Thakur made a special Ganpati idol using Masoor dal at his workshop in Byculla. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Hubballi: A person takes a photo of an idol of Lord Ganesha made of American diamonds worth at least 8 lacs before installation ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (Source: PTI)

At the start of the puja, the Ganesha idol is worshipped every day and an aarti is performed in the evening to round off the ritual. The Ganesha idols are taken out and immersed in water on Anant Chaturdasi. In Pic: An artist readies an idol of Lord Ganesh on the eve of Ganesh Chuturthi festival in Allahabad. (Source: PTI)

Bengaluru: An artist arranges idols of Lord Ganesha made from the the shell of Buddha Coconut tree on the eve of Ganesha Chaturthi festival. (Source: PTI)

A sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha made by artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on a beach in Puri. (Source: PTI)

At the start of the puja, the Ganesha idol is worshipped every day and an aarti is performed in the evening to round off the ritual. The Ganesha idols are taken out and immersed in water on Anant Chaturdasi. (Express photo by Jaipal Singh)