To celebrate the Ganesha (Vinayagar) Chaturti on Friday and Saturday, 10th and 11th September 2010. The two days will see intense festivity in every Hindu house.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Vinayagar (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity on the fourth day of the moons bright fortnight, or period from new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada. The celebration of Vinayagar Chaturthi continues for five, seven, or ten days. Some even stretch it to twenty one days, but ten the most popularly celebrated.Vinayagar 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, brother of Kartikeya - the common of the gods, Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and Saraswati-the goddess of learning.
Legend has it that Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door she went to have her bath. When her husband, Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him. Shiva severed the head of the child and entered his house. Parvati, learning that her son was dead, was distressed and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Vinayagar.
For more information Vinayagar Chathurthi Festival