Ganesh Chaturthi: How Ganpati Festival Is Celebrated In India

Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. It witnesses a huge celebration across India with pandals setting up in cities, communities coming together to cook feasts, and finally bidding their revered guests a happy but emotional goodbye. The 10-day festival kickstarts the festive season for Hindus. After Pitru Paksha, Navratri, Dussehra, Karva Chauth, and Diwali follow setting merry vibes across the country.

Devotees of Lord Vinayaka in other Indian states also welcome Bappa into their home and bid adieu with teary eyes. Slurrp connected with chefs across the country to paint you a vibrant image of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in different states.

Maharashtra

Every Indian state has that one festival for which the locals wait for an entire year. Ganesh Chaturthi is that for Maharashtra. From crowded streets to one of the biggest idols of Lalbaughcha Raja, Mumbai, the dictionary falls short of words to describe the enthusiasm and devotion with which people in the state participate in the festivities.

Paramveer Singh Burmhi, Chef De Cuisine, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, said, "Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant and joyous festival, is celebrated with immense passion across India. In Maharashtra, the festival reaches the epitome of colour, devotion, and especially, food. From traditional sweets to savoury snacks, the cuisine of Ganesh Chaturthi is a delectable reflection of Maharashtra’s rich culinary heritage."

People here indulge in a variety of delicacies like fried modak, ukadiche modak, puran poli, kachori, chakli, sabudana vada, buttermilk, panchamrit. The festive spread might vary across the state but each has the potential to leave you in a food coma.

Goa

Goa shares boundaries with Maharashtra and witnesses a blend of creativity and traditions. Prakash Yadav, Head Chef at Courtyard by Marriott Goa Colva, said, “A significant aspect of the festival is the creation of ‘dekhavas’ - elaborate displays and tableaux that depict mythological stories, scenes from daily life, or artistic interpretations of Lord Ganesha’s life and teachings. These are crafted by families and groups, particularly in villages such as Marcel and Cumbharjua, where the tradition is especially prominent.”

Chefs Prakash Yadav and Shani Chauhan, Chef, Fat Tiger Goa, shared that streets are decorated, devotees worship Lord Ganesha’s idols, and prepare traditional delicacies like modak, nevri (sweet dumplings), bhaji kachori, neyri (sweet made from chana dal, sukhdi, ukadiche modak, moonga gathi, khatkatem (mixed vegetable stew), moringa gaathi (drumstick curry), khatkhate, shankarpali, and more.

Also Read: What Does Ganesh Chaturthi Look Like In Goa?

Gujarat

Gujarat also shares borders with Maharashtra, and people here celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with enthusiasm. Gautam Mehrishi, Corporate Executive Chef at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India, shared, “The heart of the festivities beats strong in public spaces, where majestic pandals are erected, hosting a myriad of community gatherings and cultural showcases. In these grand public arenas, the air is filled with the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya, traditional folk dances that weave through the nights in a colourful display of Gujarati heritage.”

Lord Ganpati is offered all regional sweets and savoury dishes like Mohanthal, ghoogra (crispy pastries), lapse, handvo, and doodhpak (creamy milk-based desserts). “It is a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage, environmental consciousness, and gastronomic excellence, offering a heartfelt reflection of the state’s enduring traditions and communal joy,” the chef added further.

Karnataka

To the south of Maharashtra lies Karnataka where Ganesh Chaturthi is referred to as Gowri Ganesha Habba. During the celebration, Goddess Gowri (mother of Lord Ganesha) is also worshipped. Chef Naren Thimmaiah Barianda, Executive Chef at Food Production, Vivanta Bengaluru, said, "Gowri festival is on the day before Ganesha Chaturthi, which marks the beginning of the grand Ganesh festival. Here the women folk pray for the well-being, prosperity and longevity of the men folk and are celebrated with utmost devotion. Goddess Gowri is a form of Goddess Parvathy and is known to possess Power, courage, and purity as the virtues."

The festive spread on Gowri festival includes preparation of sundal (tempered boiled chana), koshambari (soaked lentil salad with coconut tempering), rasam, majjigehuli (Buttermilk and Ash gourd curry), raw banana bajji, flavoured rice called Kalasida anna, obbattu (local version of Puran Poli), and payasam.

On Ganesh Chaturthi, medu vade, sambar, aloo gadde palya (Potato relish), poori, enne badnekai (brinjal preparation with peanut and copra masala) and kadalebele payasam (Bengal gram payasam). The most important sweet which is offered to Lord Ganesha is the rice dough coated jaggery, karjikai (crescent-shaped wheat puffs with till, jaggery filling) and coconut filled steamed modaks, and pancha kajjaya (mixture of desiccated coconut, sugar or jaggery, roasted gram flour, ghee, and sesame seeds).

Madhya Pradesh

The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi extends to Madhya Pradesh as well. It is celebrated with the same enthusiasm as devotees do in Maharashtra. Sumit Sahu, Sous Chef, Food Production, Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, spoke to Slurrp and shared that people prepare an array of traditional dishes to serve Lord Ganesha and please him. 

Apart from popular ladoo and modak, many other sweets are offered to God. The festive spread here also includes savoury dishes like paneer Kolhapuri, dal amti, tarkari kala masala, batata chi bhaji, and puran poli with shrikhand. Chef Sumit Sahu added, “These dishes not only satisfy the palate but also reflect the rich culinary heritage associated with the festival.”