Surat (Gujarat) [India]: As part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Gujarat Police’s SHE Team unit installed a Ganesh Pandal depicting the team’s effort in creating awareness in the society.
‘SHE Team’ was formed by the Surat City Police Department and every police station in the city has a SHE Team. They conduct several awareness programs – good touch and bad touch programs in schools, traffic advisory, cyber awareness and teach about POSCO-related cases.
One of the most sought-after themes this year for pandals is the Chandrayaan-3, India’s successful mission to the moon. Another unique pandal that has captivated attention is the pandal built by the Cyber Cell Surat Police, which shares a message of the dangers of cyber fraud.
Interestingly, the pandal has an idol of Lord Ganesha dressed up in police attire while several posters and billboards have been placed with instructions on how to avoid cyber fraud.
Another pandal in the city has been built on the Ramayana theme. The pandals have become the centre of attraction for visitors, especially for children.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival that starts on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month ‘Bhadrapada’ and this year the festival commenced on September 19. This auspicious ten-day festival starts with ‘Chaturthi’ and ends on ‘Anantha Chaturdashi’.
It is believed that Lord Ganesh arrives on Earth during the festival and after the 10 days of blessings he showers on his devotees, he returns to his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on ‘Kailash Parvat’. The festive period is also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayak Chavithi’.
The festival celebrates Ganesha as the ‘God of New Beginnings’ and the ‘Remover of Obstacles’ as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence.
For the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols to their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals during the festival.
