Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, India’s favorite festival, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of prosperity and wisdom. Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025 starts on August 27, with big festivities around India. Let’s see why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated, what its traditions are, and how this colorful festival is observed.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025
Why Do We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. In Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati made Ganesha out of sandalwood paste and brought him to life. When Lord Shiva, unaware, beheaded him, he later restored Ganesha by putting an elephant’s head on his body, making him the dearest “Gajanana”.
How is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?
- The 10-day celebration is replete with devotion, music, and cultural activities. Here’s how it goes:
- Ganesh Idol Installation (Pranapratishtha) – August 27
- Devotees take home-beautifully crafted clay idols of Lord Ganesha or to public pandals.
- Priests conduct “Pranapratishtha” (invoking life into the idol) followed by “Shodashopachara Puja” (16-step worship).
- Daily Aarti & Offerings
- Devotees make offerings of modak (Ganesha’s favorite sweet), coconut, flowers, and durva grass.
- Ganpati Bappa Morya!” chants are sung during aarti.
- Cultural Festivals
- Themed pandals with attractive decorations draw thousands.
- Dance, music, and drama shows enact the tales of Ganesha.
- Ganesh Visarjan (Immersion) – A Heavyhearted Goodbye
- On Sept 6, 2025, Anant Chaturdashi, idols are taken out in processions for immersion into water bodies.
- Eco-friendly clay idols are promoted for safeguarding the environment.
Unique Ganesh Chaturthi Traditions Across India
- 1. Maharashtra (Mumbai & Pune)
- Lalbaugcha Raja (Mumbai): Perhaps the most popular pandal, visited by millions.
- Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati (Pune): Famous for its gold decorations and lavish festivities.
- Karnataka (Modak Feast & Temple Celebrations)
- Modak (Kozhukattai): Must-offer sweet to Ganesha.
- Siddhivinayak Temple (Bengaluru): Special darshan prayers and long queues.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Clay Idol Crafting)
- Skilled artisans in Hyderabad craft beautiful clay idols months ahead of time.
- “Ghatam Puja”: A special puja in which a pot representing Ganesha is prayed to.
- Gujarat (Ganesha & Jain Connection)
- Most Jain families also observe Ganesh Chaturthi.
- “Ganesha Yatra”: The idols are carried in processions by the devotees.
