The Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of the elephant-headed god, and devotees pray to him to get his blessings for their new ventures. Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are worshipped, and the celebration traditionally goes on for 10 days, at the end of which the idols are immersed in a body of water. Though it is celebrated across India, it is most popular in parts of western and southern India.
Take a look at some of the stunning images of this year's celebration, which began on Monday.