Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesha to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother goddess Parvati/Gauri. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesha clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals. As Ganesh is all about protection and power, much of his symbolism is related to safeguarding us from life's physical and subtle obstacles. His elephantine head: The elephant is a symbol of strength and power, and is an animal native to India.