Lucknow: The Ganesh Utsav, organized under the banner of Oscar Yog Sai Kripa Sewa Sansthan, continued with grandeur on Shivaji Marg, Hewett Road, where the festival has been celebrated for the past 16 years.
Morning rituals began with Ganesh pujan and chanting of Vedic mantras, followed by an aarti performed by Subhash Sharma, District President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Lucknow West, Avadh Prant. Among other religious activities, priests carried out a doodh abhishek (ceremonial milk offering), led by Shobha Shukla and Sushma Pawar, amid devotional chants.
In the evening, devotees joined in the famous Siddhivinayak-style aarti of Mumbai, adding to the festive fervor. Visitors included Shashikant and Neha Kumari, a couple from Kanpur, who came especially for the darshan of Shivaji Marg’s Raja Ganesh idol.
Festival organizer Ganesh Shankar Pawar shared that devotees arrive not only from Lucknow but also from Kanpur, Unnao, Barabanki, and Haidergarh, with the largest crowds gathering on the day of Ganesh Visarjan.
Festival official Suman Pawar informed that Ganesh Chalisa recitations and distribution of modak prasad—a traditional sweet considered Lord Ganesha’s favorite—are held every evening, drawing large participation from devotees.
