How do people celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi in other countries?

Vinayaka Chavithi is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom, prosperity and success. He is also known as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences. The festival is observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon phase in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, usually falling between August and September in the Gregorian calendar. 

How do people celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi in other countries?

Vinayaka Chavithi is also celebrated by Hindus in Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, other parts of the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, United States and Europe.  The celebrations vary according to the local culture and traditions of each country.

Some examples are:

- In Nepal, home to a significant Hindu population, Vinayaka Chavithi is observed with great zeal. People install idols of Ganesha in their homes and temples and offer prayers and sweets. They also celebrate by playing musical instruments and dancing on the streets.

- In United States, Indian communities in various cities across the country come together to celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi. They organize cultural programs, bhajans, arti and prasad distribution at temples and community halls. They also take out processions with idols of Ganesha and immerse them in water bodies such as rivers or lakes.

- In United Kingdom, Vinayaka Chavithi witnesses large-scale celebrations in cities with sizeable Indian communities such as London and Leicester. They erect huge pandals with idols of Ganesha and conduct daily puja and arti. They also invite local dignitaries and celebrities to join the festivities. They also immerse the idols in water bodies such as Thames river or artificial tanks.

Vinayaka Chavithi is a festival that celebrates the joy and glory of Lord Ganesha across the world. It is a time to seek his blessings for happiness, prosperity and success in all our endeavours.