Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a ten day Hindu festival celebrated to honour God Ganesha’s birthday. Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha’s elephant head makes him easy to identify. He is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesha is known by 108 different names, and is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. Lord Ganesha is worshipped by the believers at the beginning of any new ventures based on the belief that Ganesha can take away any obstacle that may come around. Ganesh Chaturthi 2017 begins on Friday, August 25 and ends on Tuesday, September 5.