Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Ignite Festive Spirit Across India

Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, especially in Maharashtra. Devotees are welcoming beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes and public spaces, marking the start of a 10-day festival filled with prayers, offerings, and cultural programs. The festival, which honors the birth of Lord Ganesha, culminates in immersion processions on Anant Chaturdashi. The origins of this public celebration trace back to the late 19th century, with significant contributions from freedom fighters. As thousands gather at temples and pandals, the atmosphere is filled with joy, devotion, and a sense of community.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 11:47 IST

Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi

Photo: @ians_india/X

New Delhi, Sep 14: The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with great zeal and devotion throughout India, especially in Maharashtra, as devotees bring home intricately designed idols of Lord Ganesha to commence the 10-day festivities.

In various cities, the atmosphere is vibrant with elaborate decorations, illuminated pandals, and cultural events, as worshippers present prayers, flowers, sweets, and other traditional offerings to Lord Ganesha.

This Hindu festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, who symbolizes wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings, and is traditionally worshipped before embarking on significant endeavors.

The festivities will conclude with Anant Chaturdashi on September 25, when devotees traditionally bid farewell to the deity through immersion processions.

The public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in its current form in Maharashtra dates back to Keshavji Nayak Chawl in Girgaum, Mumbai, where freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak initiated the first 'sarvajanik' Ganeshotsav in 1893. This initiative aimed to unite people and rally public support for India's independence movement.

However, the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust claims that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in Pune was initiated by Bhausaheb Rangari in 1892, making the origins of this public festival historically significant for both Mumbai and Pune.

In Pune, the welcoming ceremony of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, considered the first public Ganpati in India, commenced with the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha, attracting a large number of devotees.

Special prayers were also conducted at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple as part of the festivities.

In Mumbai, stunning lights and elaborate decorations have transformed several prominent Ganesh pandals and temples, including Lalbaugcha Raja, Tejukaya Mandal, Ganesh Gully, GSB Seva Mandal, Andheri-cha-Raja, and others.

Thousands of devotees are flocking to the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganesh Chaturthi, with long lines forming as people eagerly await their turn for darshan.

The famous Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai has also been beautifully adorned for the occasion, enhancing the festive and devotional ambiance in the city.

In Nagpur, many devotees gathered at the renowned Ganesh Tekdi Temple, standing in long queues to pray and seek Lord Ganesha's blessings for happiness, prosperity, and peace.

The temple grounds have been filled with a deeply spiritual atmosphere since morning, resonating with chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' as devotees come to pay their respects.

A devotee shared, "This 10-day festival is in full swing, and there is a significant influx of visitors. Our primary goal is to ensure that every devotee receives proper darshan, and we have made arrangements accordingly. We have established separate queues for men and women, and for the elderly, we have provided e-rickshaws and electric vehicles for transportation."

Another devotee expressed the spiritual importance of the festival and the joy it brings. "We came here for Ganesh Chaturthi and had darshan at the temple. The atmosphere is so joyful and uplifting. The true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesha alleviates our troubles and brings us happiness. Likewise, we should strive to spread joy to others in our lives rather than causing them distress," the devotee remarked.