Ganesh Chaturthi

This month we’re learning about (but not appropriating!) Ganesh Chaturthi.

This festival celebrates Ganesh, the famed elephant-headed god of new beginnings, remover of obstacles, wisdom, and intelligence. He’s also wild about sweets, so reading stories about him is an accessible gateway for non-Hindu kids to learn about the significance and principles of Hinduism.

When is it?

• Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-11 day festival that begins on the fourth day of the sixth Hindu month of Bhadrapada, typically falling in August or September.

Read

• Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth (Ages 4-8)
• 10 Gulab Jamuns (Ages 2.5-6) is not about Ganesh at all, but R2 was just wild for this simple book centering anticipation, healthy sibling relationships, and sugary sweets.
• Ganesh and the Little Mouse (ages 6-8)

Discuss:

• Use Get to Know Ganesh from Mango & Marigold as you read stories about Ganesh.
• As kids if they can spot common visual and cultural signifiers of Ganesh across stories about him.

Additional resources to dig deeper into this topic:

• Subverting White Supremacy with cute books & indie press Mango & Marigold