If you wish to enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi to the fullest, Mumbai is not the only destination you can visit.
1/6Mumbai is all set to experience 10 days of joy as Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner. After Janmashtami, if there is one festival that is synonymous with Mumbai, it’s Ganesh Chaturthi. The giant pandals of the idols, the trek to see the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja, and the different flavours of modaks – the festival is one of the best times to experience the liveliness of India’s financial capital. However, Ganesh Chaturthi is not just limited to Mumbai. There are several other places where one can experience the festival. Be it Kota or Pune, Ganesh Chaturthi brings devotees from all across the country in large numbers. If you wish to enjoy the 10-day festival, plan a visit to any of these locations between September 14 and 25. (Image Reuters file)
2/6Pune, Maharashtra | Away from the hustle and crowds of Mumbai, Pune offers easier pandal-hopping routes for devotees. The city is where Bal Gangadhar Tilak turned Ganesh Chaturthi into a public festival in the 1890s. Even now, the city never fails to welcome Ganpati Bappa with open arms. The sounds of dhols echo late into the evenings as pandals perform the evening aarti. (Image Shutterstock)
3/6Kota, Rajasthan | Two temples in Kota mark Ganesh Chaturthi with great pomp and splendour. The Khade Ganesh Ji Temple features a rare standing idol of Ganesha. During the festival, the temple becomes the centre of celebration. Devotees also line up at the Manokamna Mandir with offerings, as they believe their wishes will be fulfilled if they visit the temple during Ganesh Chaturthi. (Image Shutterstock)
4/6Hyderabad, Telangana | No mention of Hyderabad’s Ganeshotsav celebration is complete without the Khairatabad Ganesh. This year, the idol will reportedly be 69-foot-tall and made completely out of eco-friendly materials. Several other pandals also attract devotees in lakhs. On Anant Chaturdashi, the idols are immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake. (Image Shutterstock)
5/6Surat, Gujarat | Surat hosts one of the biggest Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Gujarat at the Sarkar Ganesh Utsav pandal. Nightly maha aartis and a grand visarjan procession are the highlight of the 10-day observance. (Image Shutterstock))
6/6Chennai, Tamil Nadu | In Chennai, Ganesh Chaturthi is commonly known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Smaller community pandals dominate; the scenes at the pandals often carry messages on environmental or social issues. Cultural associations also distribute food among devotees. (Image Reuters)
