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You’ve probably already heard of a few Indian festivals. Holi, the festival of colours. Diwali, the festival of lights. There’s a festival for everything (literally – some say there are over a thousand festivals celebrated in India). One such festival is the epic celebration of the Ganesh Chaturthi. Here’s all you need to know about the celebration, and why you wouldn’t wanna miss it on your India trip.
What is the Ganesh Festival in India?
The Ganesh Festival, or Ganesh Chaturthi, is a 10-day festival that celebrates the birth of the Hindu elephant-headed deity, Ganesha. And when I tell you that this celebration is grand, I mean it.
Every year, hundreds, if not thousands of idols of Ganesha are brought into homes and “pandals” AKA community temples all over India. During these 10 days, devotees worship the deity with prayers and food – before the final send-off, where the idols are submerged (and some even dissolved) into water to signify the cycle of life and death according to Hinduism.
Image source:Billeasy / unsplash
When is it celebrated?
The dates of the festival vary every year as the Lunar calendar is used in Hindu traditions. Typically, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated at the end of August or early to mid-September. So if you’re planning to visit India during this time, you might be lucky enough to witness the festivities.
What to expect:
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations differ depending on which city you visit. Usually, the western state of Maharashtra has the biggest and boldest celebrations. You’ll see a temporary stage set up in almost every other street that acts as the home for these large idols for those 10 days.
To welcome the deity on the first day, hundreds of young devotees gather for a performance of a Dhol Tasha – a musical form of worship and welcoming with loud beating drums and dancing (adrenaline rushes guaranteed!). Then, over the next 8 days, people visit these Mandals to worship Ganesha in person, share his favourite foods with everyone, and enjoy the general festivities.
The final day is the grandest of them all – the Visarjan (farewell). This is the day when the idols are worshipped one final time (until next year, of course) before they’re transported by trucks and vans to the closest body of water. Then, these idols are submerged and dissolved into water. The farewell is an emotional one, to say the least. You’ll definitely see a few tears, and hear the chants of people affectionately praying to the deity, asking him to come back soon next year.
FUN FACT 1: Most idols now are made out of clay and organic paints, which makes them eco-friendly, and easy to dissolve.
Image source:Pranav Kumar Jain / unsplash
Ganesh Festival foods you need to try
1. Modak
This decadent “dumpling” is said to be the favourite food of Ganesha. A mixture of freshly grated coconut is cooked with caramelised jaggery to form a sweet and indulgent filling, which is then wrapped in a rice flour dough and steamed. You’ll finish it in seconds, but the perfectly pleated, conical shape can take quite some time to achieve (unless you’ve been practising for years!). It’s best served warm, with a dollop of Ghee.
2. Pedha
Another much-loved dessert is the Pedha. All it is is a ball of thickened milk, sugar, and cardamom (and sometimes even nuts like pistachios and cashews). It’s some serious melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Pedhas are usually bought in several dozens and distributed among devotees as Prasad, AKA food which is first served (and hence, blessed) by the divine. It’s so good, you may even say it’s one of the best foods in India.
3. Masale Bhaat
This one-pot dish is a savoury favourite that’s eaten during the Ganesh festival. It might be simple to make, but it’s packed with flavour. A dry mix of jaggery, chillies, coconut, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds, is cooked with vegetables, more spices, and rice to form a steaming hot bowl of this delicious and fragrant rice dish.
Image source:Prchi Palwe / unsplash
Best places to visit during Ganesh Chaturthi
1. Mumbai
Mumbai’s already pretty energising, but the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations here are on another level. The famous Lalbaugcha Raja is the most revered Ganesh idol, attracting millions of devotees at thousands of Pandals, showcasing beautifully crafted idols and lively processions. The immersion at Girgaon Chowpatty Beach is a spectacular sight too, with massive crowds gathering to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. It’s one of the best things to do in Mumbai.
2. Pune
If you’re looking for traditional and historical Ganesh Chaturthi, this city should be your go-to. Public celebrations here date back over a century and were first popularised by the Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak. The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is particularly famous, and the city’s processions are marked by traditional Dhol Tasha performances and Aartis (prayer songs).
3. Goa
Imagine all the festivities – but by the coast. That’s Goa for you. The celebration isn’t as grand as other cities but is definitely more community-oriented. The villages of Cumbharjua, Marcel, and St Estevan are the most popular for their giant Ganesh idols made from raw materials. Definitely a sight to behold if you’re ever on an India trip.
FUN FACT 2: A few days before Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are the perfect time to see artisans create these idols with their tiny tools and hands. Some even make imagery of the deity with banana leaves!