Devotion and Celebration Across India
Ganesh Chaturthi, the cherished Hindu festival honoring Lord Ganesha’s birth, has unfolded with remarkable fervor across India and beyond. In 2025, the festival began on August 27, coinciding with the auspicious Chaturthi Tithi, and will conclude with Ganesh Visarjan on September 6.
Across Maharashtra—especially in Mumbai and Pune—massive crowds thronged iconic landmarks like Lalbaugcha Raja and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati to immerse spiritually and culturally.
Locations like Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi also lit up with festive rituals, music, and elaborate pandals. In Delhi, traditional practices blend with regional traditions, including processions like “Operation Sindoor” and vibrant modak offerings.
Rituals, Idols, and Local Highlights
Ganesh idols are installed at homes, temples, and community pandals with great devotion and artistry. The sacred “Sthapana” puja is held during the midday muhurat around 11:05 AM to 1:40 PM across major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and New Delhi.
In Odisha, especially Bhubaneswar, markets brim with activity. Over 1,000 idols—crafted from clay or Plaster of Paris—have been sold, with prices ranging between ₹2,000 and ₹20,000, boosted by increased demand for festive sweets and decor.
Coimbatore is set to install 2,353 idols and deploy 3,700 police officers to manage public safety during the celebrations.
Music, Culture, and Celebrity Reflections
Music adds life to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Traditional Marathi aartis like “Sukhkarta Dukh-harta” and folk chants like “Ganpati Bappa Morya” are joined by Bollywood anthems like “Deva Shree Ganesha,” creating a dynamic soundtrack for the festival.
Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan described Ganesh Chaturthi as a unifying festival: “It rekindles communal spirit… reminds us of the goodness we wish for each other.”
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant welcomed the festival with grandeur, installing a lavish idol at their Antilia residence—popularly dubbed “Antilia Cha Raja”
Global Celebrations Bring Communities Together
Ganesh Chaturthi isn’t confined to India. In the USA, Indian communities celebrated with devotional rituals, bhajans, and eco-conscious idol immersions that bridge heritage with local values
Across Southeast Asia, the festival also flourishes. Countries such as Nepal, Indonesia (Bali), Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, and Malaysia honor Ganesha through temples, cultural gatherings, and blended practices that reflect both tradition and local customs
Tradition, Health, and Devotion
Many devotees avoid viewing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi—a superstition rooted in lore—as it’s believed to bring misfortune
Worshippers also embrace healthy offerings. Traditional modaks are being prepared with options like ragi, oats, and millet flour to keep celebrations both joyous and mindful of well-being