Lord Ganesha eating biryani banner lands shop owner in trouble in Tirunelveli
A biryani shop owner in Tirunelveli has been arrested following a complaint over a banner depicting Lord Ganesha eating biryani.
Police arrested 30-year-old Jayanth, who runs the shop, after 42-year-old Selvaraj approached authorities alleging that the image was offensive and had hurt religious sentiments.
The incident comes during Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, when Ganesha worship and public festivities are taking place across Tamil Nadu.
According to the complaint, the banner displayed an illustration of Lord Ganesha eating biryani outside the shop. Selvaraj objected to the depiction, following which police began an investigation and arrested the shop owner. Further investigation into the matter is continuing.
Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations across the State have meanwhile featured elaborate rituals and a variety of distinctive Ganesha idols.
At Chennai’s Kapaleeswarar Temple, festivities began with an early-morning Ganapathy Homam. The Narthana Vinayagar idol was subsequently given a ceremonial bath and decorated with a gold kavacham.
In Madurai, devotees gathered around the 7-foot Mukkuruni Vinayagar at the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. A giant Mukkuruni Kozhukattai made with rice flour was prepared as an offering.
At the Ucchi Pillayar Temple in Tiruchirappalli, thousands of devotees climbed the 417 steps to reach the hilltop shrine. The temple has also begun its 14-day Peruvizha, featuring a 25-kg Kozhukattai offering.
The festival has also produced several eye-catching and environmentally themed Ganesha installations. In Tiruvannamalai, an idol made using 51,000 rudraksha beads became one of the notable attractions. Madurai featured a Ganesha made from dharba grass.
In Coimbatore, another idol was decorated with a garland made from currency notes said to be worth ₹5 lakh. A Ganesha installation in Chennai’s T Nagar used coins as part of its design.
Public pandals have also incorporated elements from films and mythology. In Denkanikottai, one Vinayakar stage drew inspiration from the upcoming film Kantara-2.