Ganesha is India's cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara. Four hands are joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth. The third hand elegantly holds a lotus. The fourth has a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks, his favourite sweet)
The devotees of Ganesha are known as 'Ganapatyas', and the festival to celebrate and glorify him is called Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesha's head symbolises the Aatma or the soul. It is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence. His human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom. The trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesha holds a goad. It helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties.
The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice. It is said he broke it for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. The laddoo (sweet) he holds in his trunk indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman.
His fan-like ears convey that he hears all our prayers and requests. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms. He is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse.
Curse of the Moon
It is said that anyone who looks at the moon on the night of the Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely accused. If someone inadvertently sees the moon on this night, he/she may remedy the situation by listening to (or reciting) the story of the syamantaka jewel found in the Puranas.
The story is like this. Satrajit had secured a jewel from Surya. When Lord Krishna asked for it, saying it would be safe with him, Satrajit refused to give it. Prasena's brother Satrajit went out hunting wearing the jewel but was killed by a lion. Jambavant, the Ram Bhakt, killed the lion and gave the jewel to his son to play with.
When Prasena did not return, Satrajit falsely accused Krishna of killing Prasena for the sake of the jewel. Krishna did not like the stain on his reputation. He set out in search of the jewel. He found it in Jambavant's cave, with his child.
Jambavant attacked Krishna thinking him to be an intruder who' had come to take away the jewel. They fought each other for 28 days. Jambavant was terribly weakened from the hammering of Krishna's fists. He finally recognised Him as Lord Rama.
Jambavant repented that he had fought with the Lord. He gave the jewel to Krishna. He also gave his daughter Jambavati in marriage to him. Krishna returned to Dwaraka with Jambavati and the jewel.
He returned the jewel to Satrajit. In turn Satraji repented for his false accusation. He promptly offered to give Krishna the jewel and his daughter Satyabhama in marriage. Krishna accepted Satyabhama as his wife but did not accept the jewel.
A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in home; or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. People view it and pay their homage. The priest then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras.
This ritual is the pranapratishtha. After this the shodashopachar (16 ways of paying tribute) follows, coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas (rice flour preparation), 21 durva (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered The idol is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns are chanted. They are from the Rig Veda Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana.
Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days. It is from Bhadrapad Shud Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi. On the 11th day, the image is taking through the streets in a procession. It is accompanied with dancing a singing. It is to be immersed in a river or the sea. This ritual is performed to see off the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash. He required taking with him the misfortunes of all men.
All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Mory Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early ne year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is mad people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.
The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. During the days of the festival, these also serve as the venue for from medical checkup, blood donation camps, and charity for the poor, drama performances, films, devotional songs, etc.

The Ugly Truth, The Day after Ganesh Visarjan
The last day when you take your Ganpati to immerse Him in the seashore, with a heavy heart, do you realize the damage this immersion can cause? Well, I am not simply talking about the disappointment the parting Ganesh does to our heartstrings only, but also to the environment in general. Let us see how.
A look at the evolution of Ganesh idols:
As we look back at the beginning of the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, we learn that the first idols for this day were made from the wet clay from the local rivers and lakes. The day after Chaturthi celebrations, these idols were immersed in the same lake. Now, times have changed and so have the styles of preparation. Local clubs and communities started hosting mass pujas to commemorate Ganesh festival. Today, since there is competitive nature amongst all these local clubs to make the best of the idols and win awards, the old concept of clay idols started vanishing. The artisans of the recent times who make Ganesh idols use Plaster of Paris and other toxic bright colors, which are very harmful and make the waters toxic and inconsumable for a long time.
How do these idols harm sea water?
Now, this is what the environmentalists claim with substantial proof to support that the Ganesh idols, which are immersed in the sea, the reason being that the colors are hard, the use of several non-recyclable materials like thermocols and other such material used to make the ornaments for the image too. These materials float, litter and rot in the sun. That is why eco-friendly Ganesh has become the mantra of environmental-friendly people these days. To control the menace, government these days have laid down stringent rules to ensure the next time Ganesh protects the environment as well and let us breathe fresh air of the sea.
Things we can do to prevent harm to environment and Mother Nature:
We can follow few simple steps and ways to minimize the damage to our environment.
1. Before the Ganpati Idol is immersed in water, please make sure all the decorations are taken out. This includes thermocols, ornaments, plastic frames, artificial flower garland, ribbons or glittered garlands, and any such decorating items which cannot get dissolved in the water.
2. We can get Ganesh Idols made out of clay like good old days. There are many groups and organizations and shops that make Idols which are eco-friendly made from material which can be dissolved in water without harming the nature. Colors used for such Idols are also natural colors which do not have toxic materials in it. Plaster of Paris (POP) materials should be avoided or minimized.
3. If eco-friendly Ganesh Idols are used, then they can be immersed in water tanks or small lakes or ponds which do not harm the nature.
4. Dancing and singing is important part of Ganesh Chaturthi festival at time of immersion (Visarjan). However, loud music can also harm the nature with noise pollution. Now-a-days instead of traditional dhols and drums, people have started using loud and high decibels Hi-Fi sound system similar to systems used in dance clubs, discos or pubs. This system contains 10 to 20 huge speakers being played by DJ. This should be in a controlled manner so that it does not harm to ears of people watching the immersion process nearby.
The above points highlights the ways we can save our nature and minimize global warming. Hope they are followed by each and every one of us as a duty and more importantly as an effort to save our mother nature.