10 Places To Enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi In India

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is India’s vibrant 10-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha – the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of new beginnings.

In 2025, celebrations begin on Wednesday, 27 August, and conclude with the grand Ganesh Visarjan on Saturday, 6 September.

During this period, India’s streets turn into living art galleries, adorned with towering eco-friendly idols, dazzlingly decorated mandaps (pandals), rhythmic dhol-tasha beats, devotional aartis, and feasts of modaks and laddoos. Families welcome Bappa into beautifully decorated corners of their homes, while public mandals transform neighbourhoods into cultural stages alive with music, devotion, and community spirit.

Though the reverence for Ganesha is ancient, the community-wide celebration owes much to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who popularised the public form of Ganeshotsav in the late 19th century to unite people. Today, those roots have flourished into some of India’s most spectacular cultural gatherings—best experienced in person.

This guide brings you the top destinations to experience Ganesh Chaturthi in India in 2025, along with the most budget-friendly and flexible way to reach them—by bus, perfect for city-hopping during the festive season.

# Mumbai, Maharashtra – Lalbaugcha Raja & Iconic Visarjan

Why visit: Mumbai hosts India’s most iconic Ganeshotsav. Millions flock for Lalbaugcha Raja darshan, while the Girgaon Chowpatty visarjan along Marine Drive is unforgettable: chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, sparkling lights over the Arabian Sea, and waves of people moving together. Must-visit pandals include Ganesh Galli and Andhericha Raja for round-the-clock festivities.

# Pune, Maharashtra – Cultural Heartland & Dhol-Tasha Capital

Why visit: Pune is the birthplace of the public Ganeshotsav, with its five revered Manache Ganpati and the famous Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple. The city resonates with synchronised dhol-tasha pathaks, classical performances, and intricately crafted eco-friendly idols.

# Hyderabad, Telangana – The Khairatabad Giant

Why visit: The legendary Khairatabad Ganesh—one of India’s tallest idols—draws massive crowds. Themed installations, grand aartis, and vibrant community mandals make Hyderabad’s celebrations truly larger than life.

# Goa – Chovoth in Homes & Mandals

Why visit: Known locally as Chovoth, Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa is celebrated with equal warmth in homes and community mandals. Expect traditional clay idols, rustic décor, and neighbourhood performances. Key hubs include Panjim, Mapusa, Margao, Bicholim, and serene villages like Adpai & Revora.

# Bengaluru, Karnataka – Heritage Charm Meets Metro Vibes

Why visit: Bengaluru balances grandeur with nostalgia. Areas like Basavanagudi and Malleswaram brim with flower sellers, bhajans, and artisanal décor, while cosmopolitan influences bring diverse cultural troupes to the evening pandal stages.

# Nagpur, Maharashtra – Central India’s Heartfelt Ganpati

Why visit: Nagpur’s mandals are known for mythological tableaux, dazzling illumination themes, and a big-hearted community spirit. Its central location makes it perfect for travellers covering multiple Maharashtra cities.

# Thane–Kalyan–Dombivli Belt, Maharashtra – Pandal Density & Processions

Why visit: Just outside Mumbai, this belt offers an easier alternative to the city crowds, with densely packed pandals, innovative eco-themes, and lively visarjan processions along the creeks.

# Konkan Coast – Ganpatipule & Ratnagiri: Coastal Devotion

Why visit: The Konkan belt is Ganpati’s traditional homeland. Towns like Ganpatipule and Ratnagiri pair lush monsoon scenery with intimate celebrations in temples and small mandals, offering a soulful contrast to metro chaos.

# Pillaiyarpatti (Sivaganga), Tamil Nadu – Temple-Centric Festivities

Why visit: The Karpaga Vinayagar Temple at Pillaiyarpatti offers a purely devotional experience with Vedic rituals, prasad, and serene darshan. It’s perfect for travellers seeking spiritual depth over scale.

# Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh – Seaside Processions

Why visit: Vizag’s seaside visarjan routes, lively mandals, and cultural evenings paint a colourful festive picture. The blend of coastal scenery and devotional fervour makes it a unique spot for Ganeshotsav.