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Known as Vighnaharta, Vinayaka, Lambodara and by many other names, Lord Ganesha is one of the most important deities of the Hindu pantheon. This makes Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi one of the major Hindu festivals of the year. Across states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and even Gujarat and Odisha, Ganesh Chaturthi is seen as one of the major festivals and celebrated with immense festive spirit. In 2023, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 19 September 2023 and the 10-day festival will end on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on 28 September 2023.
Homes across these states engage in full-fledged Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, from establishing the idol of Lord Ganesha to offering his favourite Modaks and more. But even among these widespread celebrations, there are a few cities and towns across India that also attract pilgrims and tourists during the festivities. Wondering which cities in India have the most vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations? Here are 10 Indian cities where Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are massive and not to be missed.
Video Credit: YouTube/Hebbars Kitchen
Mumbai, Maharashtra
The greatest Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in India definitely happen in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. Every year, homes and community pandals across Mumbai and its suburbs commission thousands of idols of Lord Ganesha with creative additions that make each pandal worth visiting. The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi are most prominent at Siddhivinayak Temple, Lalbaughcha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja and Khetwadi Ganraj pandals. The festivities last 10 days across Mumbai, at the end of which people throng to the Arabian Sea to immerse the idols of Lord Ganesha.
Pune, Maharashtra
Second only to the celebrations in Mumbai are the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra. Pune, previously known as Poona, was the capital of the Peshwa rulers in the late medieval and early modern times. Lord Ganesha was considered to be one of the patron deities of the Peshwas, which is why the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Pune have been around for centuries. Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati, Kasba Ganpati, Tulsi Baug Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari and Kesariwada are the Pune pandals where communities come together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganapatipule, Maharashtra
This small town in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district is celebrated as a major pilgrim spot for devotees of Lord Ganesha, thanks the 400-years-old Swayambu Ganpati Temple located right on the beach. Renowned as the auspicious Paschim Dwar Devata, the idol of Lord Ganesha at this prominent temple is made of copper and the deity can be seen sitting on a lion. Naturally, this temple is at the centre of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Ratnagiri and people travel from distant places to get a darshan of the deity here.
Goa
For Goan Hindus and those of Konkani heritage, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of the year. The region of Mapusa in Goa has two famous Ganpati temples, one at Ganeshpuri and another at Khandola—and both of these become major centres for devotees of Lord Ganesha. This apart, most Goan cities like Panjim have plenty of community pandals where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great aplomb and fervour by all.
Kanipakam, Andhra Pradesh
Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Kanipakam is a small town that is also the home to the famous Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple (simply known as Kanipakam Temple by Lord Ganesha devotees). Built by the Chola King Kulothunga Chola 1 in the 11th century BCE, the temple complex was further expanded by later rulers. Here, Ganesh Chaturthi is a 21-days-long festival beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi and the celebrations include daily processions and special puja items every day. The Ganesh Chaturthi experience at this ancient temple is nothing short of divine.
Bengaluru, Karnataka
One of the major centres of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in South India, Bengaluru not only witnesses locals celebrating the festival but also working professionals from states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh participating with great fervour. Bengaluru is also home to three major temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, including the Panchamukha Heramba Ganpati Temple, the Ananthanagar Ganpati Temple and the Shri Jambu Ganpati Temple. The immersion of idols on Anant Chaturdashi takes place in Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Home to the Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple in the East Fort area, the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram becomes a major pilgrim centre not only during Ganesh Chaturthi but also during Deepavali or Diwali. Adorned with 32 forms of Lord Ganesha, this temple’s sculptures are noteworthy. During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, better known as Vinayak Chaturthi here, the deity is offered coconuts and coconut-based sweets as Vazhipadu or offering. Anant Chaturdashi celebrations include a procession to the nearby Shankumugham beach, where a special idol is immersed as part of the rituals.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Did you know that Vinayak Chaturthi is one of the major festivals of Tamil Nadu? Naturally then, the celebrations across the state capital of Chennai are truly magnificent in scale and festive spirit. Just like in Mumbai and Pune, major Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Chennai take place at homes and community pandals across the city. Thousands of idols of Lord Ganesha are specially commissioned in the city during this time and the deity is offered Kozhukattais and many other dishes.
Mysore, Karnataka
The historic city of Mysore or Mysuru in Karnataka witnesses one of the most regal Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the country. Held at the Mysore Palace, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations reflect the diverse yet secular heritage of the city. Along with daily prayers and festivities, the Ganpati Pandal at Mysore Palace also witnesses incredible local sweets as offerings to the deity. The processions here are worth being a part of and the final immersion of the idol on Anant Chaturdashi is done at the nearby Kukkarahalli Lake.
Hyderabad
The capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh reportedly has over 70,000 Ganesh Chaturthi pandals every year where people come together to celebrate the 10-day festival. Also known as Ganapathi Navratri Utsavam, the festivities here begin on Ganesh Chaturthi and end on Anant Chaturdashi. The idol of Lord Ganesha in Hyderabad’s Khairatabad Gowlipura Ganesh Pandal is not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest in the country. Other prominent Ganesh Chaturthi pandals in Hyderabad are at Kamalanagr Balapur, Chaitanyapuri, Durgam Cheruvu and New Nagole areas.
