Top Places To Witness Ganpati Celebrations

If you thought that Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated only in Maharashtra, you should definitely read this.

• Ganapatipule

The mandir of Ganapatipule turns into the centre of great activities for the five days of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when the pilgrims and villager’ join in a procession and honoring Ganpati bappa mourya! A tall idol is securely placed on a palanquin and then carried on devotees’ shoulders through the entire village and accompanied by a drummer and priest. The idol in placed in the in a way that makes it visible to all. Swayambhu Ganpati Temple is the most famous pilgrimages of Marathis. It is good for family trips but definitely not for more than 2 days. You need to book in advance for weekends in case of Ganesh Chaturthi.

• Pune

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety in Mumbai’s neighboring city, Pune. The city has its own culture and tradition of Ganpati Festival. Go to Kasbapeth to get the darshan of the Kasba Ganpati, who is considered the patron deity of the city. Kasba Ganpati, on the last day of the festival, heads the immersion. Another must visit mandir in Pune is Saras Baug. Also, Shreemant Halwai Ganpati is yet another famous Ganesha temple in Pune which is a must visit during the festival. Every Puneite will surely understand the Ganesh Chaturthi magic.

• Siddhivinayak Temple – Mumbai

Mumbai becomes too enthusiastic and lively during the festival with dances, devotional songs, and drum beats. Ganpati pandals across the city are known to represent the social issues faced by the city through paintings, tableaux, and decorations. When you are in Mumbai, do pay a visit to Wadala for Goud Saraswat Brahmin Samiti Mandal to get a darshan of Mumbai’s richest Ganesha. Your trip also would be incomplete if you don’t visit Lalbaughcha Raja. Lalbaughcha Raja, unlike other Ganpatis is not a shrine’ it is a festival organized by a community. Huge crowds flock there to visit Lord Ganesha. Sometimes, it takes over 20 hours to actually find you close to the idol.

• Diveagar

The major festivals celebrated in the town of Diveagar are Ganpati and Janmashtami. Must visit is Suvarna Ganesh Temple which houses an idol of Ganesh which is made of pure gold.
The temple is 300 years old.

• Bangalore

When in Bangalore, visit the popular Ganpati temples – Shri Jambu Ganpati Temple, Ananthanagar Ganpati Temple and Panchamukha Heramba Ganpati Temple. For spectacular immersions, go to Ulsoor Lake or Sankey Tank.

• Goa
  Locals in Panjim and Margao, among other cities in Goa hold traditional pujas. The distinctiveness to Goa is using instruments like Ghumot and Shamel, which are played during processions

• Hyderabad
  For some trivia and knowledge, one of the world’s largest Ganesha idols is set up at the Khairtabad area of Hyderabad. It takes more than 3 months to construct the idol. On the visarjan day if you happen to be in Hyderabad, do not miss going to Hussain Sagar Lake.

If idol worshipping, dhol, visarjans and all pomp related to festivities excite you, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the above places make for a good experience. Pilgrimages are always better when taken via trains and with cleaner toilets, train food delivery, punctual arrivals; you don’t need to worry about the long journey!