US Ambassador Eric Garcetti Participates in Mumbai's Historic Ganesh Festival

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti visited Mumbai's Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha and offered prayers. He highlighted the deity Ganesha's significance in American communities and drew parallels to his tenure as Mayor of Los Angeles.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday visited Mumbai's Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha, where the Ganesh festival was transformed into a public event by Lokmanya Tilak, and offered prayers to the elephant-headed God.

Garcetti, in his message, highlighted the importance of Ganesha in his life, both as mayor of Los Angeles and now as the ambassador to India. He stated, 'I have always had Ganesha in my office and home as inspiration.' The deity is honored in many American communities, where people celebrate his power to remove obstacles and bring prosperity, he added.

The Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha at Keshavji Naik Chawl in Mumbai's Girgaum area has been pioneering the Ganesh festival since 1901, bringing it to the masses.

(With inputs from agencies.)