The Origin:

It isn't clear when Ganesh Chaturthi was first celebrated. History records the festival being celebrated in Pune as a public event during the reign of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire in 1630-80. From 1749 till 1818, the Peshwas encouraged the celebrations in Pune.

With the fall of the Peshwas, the Ganesh Chaturthi festival lost its state support and became a private family celebration till its renewal by Lokmanya Tilak. In 1893, Lokmanya Tilak changed the family festival into a large public event. He popularized Ganesh Chaturthi as a major festival in order to bridge the gap between different castes and generate patriotic zeal among people against the British rule.

Significance:

Preparations start two to three months before the festival. Idols of Ganesha are prepared by skilled artisans and are decorated and painted beautifully. These statues vary in size and are installed in houses and temporary erected special structures called Mandapas or Pandals in each locality.

These Pandals are decorated with items like lights, flower garlands, etc. The festival marks joy and prosperity among the masses.