In the old Bhopal, Ganesh Chaturthi turns the city into a festival of colours and devotion, with Ganpati Bappa’s Jhankis illuminating the streets. Every year this part of the city comes alive with a series of beautiful and artistic Jhankis, showcasing the cultural and communal spirit of Bhopal. The tradition of organising jhankis in Old Bhopal started in 1952 at Bhopal Talkies, this led to a series of various jhankies in different areas of Old Bhopal.
The samities involved are the Maharaja Chhatrasal Samiti, Bhopal Talkies Ganesh Utsav Samiti, Shree Ganesh Utsav Samiti, Shree Ganesh Mandir Samiti and Dawoodi Bohra Community Samiti, each has an area to cover and the people of that area generously contribute to the committees, from helping to build the jhanki to making prasad for each day.
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Every day of the festival has a different prasad, prepared with love and distributed among the devotees. From sweet modaks and ladoos to savoury snacks and fruits, the variety of prasads is a reflection of devotion for Bappa. This collective effort is not only for Ganpati Bappa but also for the people of old Bhopal, making Ganesh Chaturthi a truly inclusive festival.
Here are the different areas of Bhopal and the most famous prasad offered:
Lalghati
Lalghati has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi for over 30 years now, this place is famous for its Jhankis and every year Lalghati’s Jhanki is known for its intricate decorations and authentic prasads. The prasads here include a mix of traditional sweets like modaks and besan ladoos, fresh fruits and snacks. Locals are involved in every aspect of the preparations, from decorating the Jhanki to making the prasad, so there is a great sense of community and devotion.
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GPO - General Post Office
GPO in Bhopal has been hosting Ganesh Jhankis for over 25 years, it is the post office and the people of the general post office who contribute to it. This place is famous for its artistic and well-managed Jhankis which often have social and cultural messages. The prasads here include coconut ladoos chana dal halwa and chivda. Postal staff and local business people are involved in the planning and execution of the Jhanki so it is a great sense of community and dedication to the festival.
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Chintamani Chauk
Chintamani Chauk has been hosting Ganesh Jhankis for over 20 years and it is a hotspot for the festival with its festive atmosphere and crowds. The Jhanki here is famous for its traditional and innovative decorations and often includes local art forms. The prasads here include puran poli and karanji and seasonal fruits. Neighbours from around the area come together to organise the event and contribute their time and resources so it’s a great celebration for everyone.
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Bhawani Chauk (Peergate)
Bhawani Chauk or Peergate has been a Ganesh Jhanki site for almost 15 years now. This place is famous for its beautiful and colourful Jhankis which have elaborate themes and artistic representations of Ganpati Bappa. The prasads offered here include pedas and traditional rice kheer also savoury snacks. The local shopkeepers and residents are very involved in organising the Jhanki and everyone pitches in to make it a fun and lively place.
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Kamla Park
Kamla Park has been a Ganesh Jhanki site for 18 years and every year it gets more and more creative. The Jhanki in Kamla Park is famous for its beautiful and peaceful decorations which often include elements from nature and local craftsmanship. The prasads here include an assortment of ladoos like rava ladoos and besan ladoos as well as fruits and traditional sweets.
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Peepal Wala Chauk
Peepal Wala Chauk has been doing Ganesh Chaturthi Jhankis for over 12 years. This place is famous for its creative and thematic Jhankis which capture the essence of Ganesh Chaturthi. The prasads offered here include traditional sweets like modaks and chana dal halwa as well as fresh fruits. The event is a joint effort with residents and shopkeepers coming together to make it a fun and lively place to celebrate Ganpati Bappa.
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Bhopal Talkies
Bhopal Talkies is the birthplace of Ganesh Jhanki in Bhopal where the first Jhanki was held in 1952. This place is still the nerve centre of the festival and is famous for its big and beautiful Jhankis. The Jhankis at Bhopal Talkies are known for their artistic grandeur and thematic decorations.
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The prasads here include a wide range of traditional prasads like modaks, ladoos and savoury snacks. The community is involved in the event and residents and shopkeepers work together to maintain the standards of the event so every year the Jhanki is proof of their dedication and creativity.