Ganesh

This week marked the 10-day Ganesh Festival here in Mumbai (and throughout most of India as well, too). It's a big to-do, beginning with fireworks at midnight on the first day and ending with giant Ganesh statues being lowered into the water on the last. The festival celebrates "his coming down on the earth to bless the humanity".
Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus. It is believed that for the fulfillment of one's desires, his blessing is absolutely necessary.
According to the mythology, he is the son of Shiva and Parvati. One day, before bathing, Parvati created a boy out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath and breathed life into him. She assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom.
When her husband Shiva returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy.
Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence his name 'Ganapati'.
Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture. Thus, Ganesh is considered to be the remover of obstacles- and explains why every vehicle on the road has a small Ganesh statuette on it's dashboard.
Due to our hectic school-week schedule, I've been unable to capture any pictures of my own. However, I've found a few on the internet that may interest you. I'd like to note the crowds. UNREAL. Everyday life here is not THAT extreme, but close! :)