Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Announces Toll-Free Travel for Ganesh Devotees
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 4: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced a toll exemption for Ganesh devotees traveling to Konkan from September 5 to September 19. A government resolution regarding this was issued on Wednesday.
The exemption will apply at toll booths on the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway, the Mumbai-Goa National Highway, and other roads under the Public Works Department. During a review meeting on Ganesh festival preparations held on August 14, the Chief Minister directed the Public Works Department to provide toll exemptions and other facilities for devotees traveling to Konkan. Accordingly, the Public Works Department has issued the government resolution today.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and is one of the most popular Hindu festivals, lasting for 10 days. It is believed that during this time, Lord Ganesha descends to Earth with his mother, Goddess Parvati. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024, which falls on September 7, will see the joyous celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth. Devotees across India and abroad prepare vibrant pandals, offer prayers, and perform rituals to seek blessings for wisdom and prosperity. The festival concludes with the grand visarjan, where Ganesha idols are immersed in water bodies amidst chants and music.
The festive period is also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayak Chavithi’. The festival honors Ganesha as the ‘God of New Beginnings’ and the ‘Remover of Obstacles’, as well as the deity of wisdom and intelligence. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, with lakhs of devotees converging on mandals to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha. For the festivities, people bring Ganesha idols into their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals throughout the festival.
Doubts Revealed
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. It is known for its capital city, Mumbai, which is the financial hub of India.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. They are responsible for making important decisions and running the state.
Eknath Shinde -: Eknath Shinde is a politician in India. He is the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Toll-Free Travel -: Toll-free travel means you don’t have to pay money at toll booths on certain roads. This is usually done to make travel easier for people during special times.
Ganesh Devotees -: Ganesh devotees are people who worship Lord Ganesha, a popular Hindu god with an elephant head. They celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival in his honor.
Konkan -: Konkan is a coastal region in Maharashtra. It is known for its beautiful beaches and is a popular destination during the Ganesh festival.
National Highways -: National Highways are major roads in India that connect different cities and states. They are important for long-distance travel.
Public Works Department -: The Public Works Department (PWD) is a government department responsible for building and maintaining roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
Review Meeting -: A review meeting is a gathering where officials discuss and plan important activities. In this case, it was about preparations for the Ganesh festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi -: Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha. It involves prayers, music, and dancing, and lasts for 10 days.
Lord Ganesha -: Lord Ganesha is a Hindu god with an elephant head. He is known as the remover of obstacles and is worshipped at the start of new ventures.
