Maharashtra: CM Eknath Shinde, Other Leaders, Celebrities Bring Home Lord Ganesh | WATCH

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official residence in south Mumbai as the 10-day festival dedicated to the elephant-headed god began with pomp.

Shinde along with his wife and MP son Shrikant Shinde conducted a 'puja' at Varsha, the CM's official residence.

Talking to reporters later, the chief minister said he prayed to Lord Ganesh, known as the god of wisdom and prosperity, for the well-being of the state.

He said the state has received good rains this year and hoped it will bring prosperity to the farmers.

The entire Ambani family welcomes Ganpati Bappa to their home with devotion and enthusiasm. A tradition started several years ago by young Anant Ambani is extra special this year, being the first one with his wife Radhika by his side.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official 'Sagar' bungalow, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray conducted a puja at his residence 'Shivtirth'.

Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said police are maintaining vigil and taking all kinds of precautions for security during the festival.

Taking a dig at the opposition, the former chief minister said everyone should be blessed with good sense.

Fadnavis also said he will not tolerate someone calling Chhatrapati Shivaji a looter, referring to the Maratha empire founder's raid in Surat.

If history is written wrongly, then it needs to be corrected because it had been written by an English historian, Fadnavis said, again referring to the Surat raid.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari also brought Lord Ganesh to his Nagpur residence.

Several political leaders also visited famous Ganesh pandals in the state capital to offer prayers.

A Ganesh mandal in Mumbai has recreated a 52-foot replica of Vivekananda Rock Memorial located at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and dedicated to spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, as part of the Ganesh festival that began on Saturday.

Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has made this replica for public viewing.

This mandal is known for recreating exact replicas of prominent places of worship.

Last year, it had recreated the replica of Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple. Prior to that, replicas of Kedarnath temple, Lord Vitthal temple in Maharashtra , Pashupatinath temple and Sai Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi, temple of Goa 's Shri Mangesh were recreated.

Pune: As 10 days Ganeshotsav begins, Maharashtra 's first transgender dhol-tasha troupe, 'Shikhandi', performed at Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a puja at his private residence at Kothambi, Pale village, in his constituency of Sankhali in North Goa .

In a message released after performing the puja, Sawant said may Lord Ganesh give wisdom and prosperity to everyone in the state. He appealed to people to celebrate the festival with utmost sensitivity towards the state’s ecology.

The Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, on Saturday extended greetings to the citizens of the state on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi , wishing that the festival strengthens and renews fraternal bonds.

He also urged people to work unitedly towards building an "integrated nation where every citizen is valued, respected and provided equal opportunities".

Tamil Nadu: A 40-ft tall Lord Ganesh idol made of 6000 Thambulam plates, 1500 Kamakshi lamps and 350 seashells installed in Chennai. 

A unique competition is held to eat laddus which are offered to Lord Ganesha as Prasad, in Gujarat 's Jamnagar. 

In Mumbai, around 15,000 police personnel besides senior officials have been deployed for security during the 10-day festival.

As many as 32 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 45 Assistant Commissioners, 2,435 officials, 12,420 constables, home guards and personnel of the State Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force and Riot Control Unit will be on the streets, an official said.