In his message, Sankaranarayanan said, "Maharashtra's most-awaited festival of Ganeshotsav has arrived. Ganeshotsav is now celebrated in all parts of the country and even outside. The festival creates goodwill and harmony in society and strengthens the cause of unity and national integration.
"Ganeshotsav reminds us of the life and work of the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, who turned Ganesh Chaturthi into a public festival to generate public opinion for securing complete Swaraj.
"May the Ganeshotsav bring happiness, peace and prosperity to our State and to all our people," he said.
"I wish the people a very happy Ganesh Festival," he greeted.