Hartalika and Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on the same day this year, adding to the festive fervour across Goa as devotees prepare to welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes.

On the occasion, devotees will perform the traditional worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who are revered as Lord Ganesha’s parents, before bringing the idol of Lord Ganesha home for the Chaturthi celebrations.

With the festival approaching, markets across Goa are witnessing increased crowds as people make preparations and purchase Matoli items, decorations and other festive essentials. Several families have already begun preparing their Matolis, with traditional forest produce and other items being collected for the festive display.

The Matoli, an integral part of Goa’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, is traditionally decorated with a variety of locally available fruits, vegetables, leaves and other natural produce.