2023 - Shree Ganesh Chaturthi | Mint Souvenir Token

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, issued gold and silver souvenir tokens in 2023 to mark the auspicious occasion of the Shree Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Shree Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals in India, celebrated with great devotion to honour the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, knowledge and new beginnings.

The festival is observed on the Chaturthi Tithi, the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Celebrations traditionally begin with the installation of beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha in homes, temples and public pandals. The idol is worshipped with prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets and other offerings.

The festival is particularly celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, while communities across India also observe the occasion. Elaborately decorated pandals, devotional music and cultural programmes create a vibrant festive atmosphere.

A special place in the celebrations is given to Modak, traditionally regarded as one of Lord Ganesha's favourite sweets. Devotees prepare and offer different varieties of modak along with other traditional delicacies.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations generally continue for several days, with the duration varying according to local traditions. The festival concludes with Ganesh Visarjan, when the idol is carried in a procession accompanied by devotional songs and prayers before being immersed in water. The ritual symbolises the cycle of creation and dissolution and the return of Lord Ganesha to his divine abode.

Beyond its religious significance, Shree Ganesh Chaturthi represents wisdom, prosperity, devotion, unity and new beginnings. The festival brings families and communities together and continues to hold an important place in India's religious and cultural traditions.