Travel Guides & Articles
Exploring The Festival Beyond Maharashtra
Massive Ganesh idols tower over streets, drumbeats echo in lockstep with the tread of devotees through neighbourhoods, and emotional processions light up Ganesh Chaturthi — an annual festival celebrated across India in late August or September. The 10-day celebration (sometimes 11) honours the deity of wisdom and prosperity, making it one of the most prominent events of the year. Families install clay idols at home, while public mandals build elaborate pandals that draw millions of visitors, turning the religious festival into a cornerstone of cultural tourism.
Mumbai may be the heart of it all, with the most elaborate observances on the day, but Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated just as vibrantly in cities across India. And we’ve rounded up the ones worth experiencing.
Also, read about the many hues and tones of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations outside Maharashtra
Dharwad district, Karnataka
Chabbi Ganeshotsava is celebrated in Chabbi near Hubballi in North Karnataka. Lakhs of devotees from all over Karnataka and neighbouring states visit here to seek blessings from this Red coloured wish fulfilling Ganesha.#ChabbiGaneshotasava@AAI_Official @AAIRHQSR @aairedsr pic.twitter.com/MUBD0bpyW8
— ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ ವಿಮಾನನಿಲ್ದಾಣ: Hubballi Airport (@aaihbxairport) September 9, 2024
Chabbi Ganeshotsava (name of the specific celebration in Chabbi village in Karnataka) traces its roots to 1827, when Shri Guru Krishnendra Swamiji asked the Kulkarni family to worship a red-coloured Ganapati for prosperity. Today, many households in Chabbi install striking red idols on Chaturthi, drawing pilgrims who come to seek blessings. Just 20 kilometres away in Hubballi, the more than a week-long festival culminates in massive immersion processions.
Thousands throng the streets to witness towering 25-foot idols like ‘Hubballi Ka Raja’, accompanied by high-decibel music, drum troupes, and dancing crowds. If you’re looking to slip away from the city’s choreographed festivities and soak up something more authentic, the Dharwad district is the place to be.
Kota, Rajasthan
In Kota, Ganesh Chaturthi is anchored by two temples that see the heaviest footfall during the festival. The Khade Ganesh Ji Temple, with its rare standing idol, becomes the centre of daily processions and evening aartis that spill into the surrounding streets. At the Manokamna Mandir, located on Bundi Road, Ganeshpal, devotees line up with offerings and petitions, many believing their vows are fulfilled if made during the 10-day observance.
Another piece of local folklore tied to Manokamna Mandir is that devotees convey their wishes to the Lord through an application, and it is believed that if they visit the temple for five consecutive Wednesdays, those wishes get fulfilled.
Also, learn why you should plan a trip to Kota during Dussehra for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Surat and Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Surat hosts one of the state’s largest Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the famed Sarkar Ganesh Utsav pandal. The festival draws devotees from across Gujarat, with nightly maha aartis and a grand visarjan procession that sees thousands of participants lining the streets.
Turn around to Ahmedabad, and the way you soak in the day takes a different turn with dozens of pandals spread across the city, making pandal-hopping a major draw for locals and visitors alike. For 2025, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has also turned its focus to sustainability by producing around 4,000 eco-friendly idols crafted from cow dung collected from stray cattle, alongside clay idols to champion the “RRR” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) model of environmental protection, while also providing employment opportunities for local sculptors.
Chennai and Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu
Large public celebrations in Chennai during Ganesh Chaturthi (commonly termed ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ in Tamil Nadu) deserve their very own space in your itinerary if you are ever planning a trip here. Community pandals showcase themed installations, often carrying messages on environmental awareness or social issues. Cultural groups and associations, including the South Indian Artistes Association, also host annadhanam to distribute food among devotees.
Another recommended ‘place-to-visit’ is the ancient Karpaga Vinayagar Temple in Pillayarpatti, Sivaganga district, where thousands of pilgrims gather each year to witness the Theerthavari ceremony in the temple tank. Stay on the lookout for the giant kozhukattai sweets, which form a key part of the devotional observances.
New Delhi: The Capital’s way of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi in Delhi may not rival Mumbai’s pandal mania, but the capital still knows how to put on a show. The Sri Subha Siddhi Vinayaka Mandir Society in Mayur Vihar is known for its towering idol and South Indian food stalls. Netaji Subhash Place hosts Delhi’s ‘Lal Bagh Ka Raja’, famed for themed decorations and a grand visarjan. Connaught Place is home to both New Maharashtra Sadan, with its cultural programmes, and the historic Ganesh Mandir. In West Delhi, ‘Delhi Ka Raja’ at Ramesh Nagar draws huge crowds, while Laxmi Nagar’s Ganesh Sewa Mandal can be a go-to pick if you want to explore theme-based installations that speak to the soul of the festival.
Kolkata: Ganesh Chaturthi celebration with a Bengali connect
Kolkata may be better known for Durga Puja, but Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations here have steadily grown into a beloved observance in the city. And many would even argue it is equally as festive and grand. Kolkatans waddle through last-minute preparations, carrying idols from Kumartuli and performing pre-puja rituals at home. Neighbourhood pandals are readied for evening prayers, and families embraced the festival with devotion while adding a Bengali flair to the Maharashtrian-style celebrations.
And as Bengalis love big, unexpected, and artistically inventive celebrations, in 2024, a Bhawanipore sweet shop made headlines by creating a record-breaking 500 kg ladoo for the festival. The orange and yellow confection, lavishly garnished with cashews, figs, and full-sized kaju katli, went viral on X via ANI news, offering another compelling reason to plan a trip here.
(Feature image credit: Saloni Panchal/Pexels)
Related | The Must-Visit Tourist Places In India For That Dream Vacation
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Followed by Gowri Habba or Gwari Vratham celebration, Karnataka celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with gold and gusto. Expect massive fares, parades, visarjan processions, and more taking over major cities like Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore.
That’ll be the Khairatabad Ganesh idol, whose size and design single-handedly attract thousands of visitors, and is installed in the Khairatabad locality.
Known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, South Indian states go all out with regional rituals and delicacies to celebrate the occasion.
Yes, you can spot celebrations organised by Indian communities in many major cities like New York, London, and Sydney.
Yes, in the last decade, many states are actively prioritising eco-friendly idols and recycled pandals to minimise on waste and carbon footprint.
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Kalka-Shimla toy train halted for third day due to rain; tourism and taxi sector hit | Latest News India
The iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train services remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Wednesday due to multiple landslides and track blockages caused by incessant rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, severely impacting the tourism and taxi business in the hill capital.
Continuous heavy rains for nearly a week have disrupted normal life in the state, blocking roads and damaging infrastructure. The Northern Railway has announced that all services on the UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge route will remain suspended until September 5 as engineers work to clear debris and repair damaged sections of the track, particularly near Datiyar in the Solan district, where a portion of the track has reportedly been washed away.
The suspension has hit local tourism-related businesses hard, especially during the monsoon season when many visitors prefer the toy train for its scenic yet relatively safe travel experience.
Luckey, President of the Taxi Union at Shimla Railway Station, told ANI that the halt in services has left many drivers struggling to make ends meet.
“The rain has caused a lot of trouble. Roads are blocked almost everywhere. Our business has been badly affected. The train was our only link, bringing in some tourists, but it has been closed for five days now. We are finding it hard to even cover our daily expenses,” Luckey said.
He added that while the Railway has officially notified suspension until September 5, the damage is extensive.
“They say landslides have occurred in multiple places and near Datiyar, the track itself is gone. Even here at the station, we have to leave our vehicles and walk to avoid damage, because trees are falling everywhere. Our livelihood was running only because of the train, but since it stopped, everything has come to a standstill,” he lamented.
Authorities have deployed teams to clear landslides and restore connectivity on the track, but with more rain forecast, the timeline for resumption of services remains uncertain.
The Kalka-Shimla toy train, built in 1903, a heritage train route is one of the region’s biggest tourist draws, offering panoramic views of the mountains, valleys, and colonial-era architecture. Its prolonged suspension during peak monsoon season is expected to cause further economic strain on those dependent on tourism in the city.
India based travel distribution platform TBO has agreed to acquire Classic Vacations from Phoenix-based investment firm, The Najafi Companies.
The transaction value is estimated at up to $125 million.
The acquisition brings together TBO’s technology platform and worldwide inventory with Classic Vacations network of luxury travel advisors and suppliers.
Classic Vacations delivered revenue of $111 million and an operating EBITDA of $11.2 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
“We’re thrilled to bring Classic Vacations into the TBO family – the company’s longstanding delivery of outstanding services has earned the trust of its more than 10,000 travel advisors in the U.S,” said Gaurav Bhatnagar, TBO’s co-founder and joint managing director.
“Classic Vacations is led by a strong team of experts and will continue as an independent brand.”
“As we start working on integrating Classic Vacations with TBO, we will remain open to similar strategic alliances going forward,” added Ankush Nijhawan, co-founder and co-managing director.
Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, added: “Together, we’re strengthening Classic Vacations’ position as the premier luxury partner in the market while extending our reach onto the global stage.”
Classic Vacations was bought by The Najafi Companies in 2021 from Expedia Group.
Classic Vacations has a large network of high-value travel advisors and deep ties with major American consortia.
It delivers premium service across hotels, air, experiences, car rentals, and travel protection, specializing in bespoke luxury itineraries.
Related News Stories: Partner News – TravelMole
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has awarded safety clearance to Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd (AISATS) for the very first time. This clearance highlights the regulator’s strong focus on aviation safety, particularly in critical areas such as ground handling.
Ground handling plays a vital role in ensuring safe and efficient airline operations. With rising passenger traffic, larger aircraft, quicker turnaround times, and multiple service providers, DGCA has mandated safety clearance for all operators across India.
By achieving this approval, India has become the second country in the Asia-Pacific region, after Malaysia, to implement a comprehensive safety framework aligned with guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to DGCA, AISATS successfully underwent a rigorous evaluation process. This assessment covered its Safety Management System (SMS), risk control practices, reporting mechanisms, staff training programmes, and supporting infrastructure.
The regulator emphasized that this clearance strengthens India’s aviation ecosystem by embedding SMS as the foundation of aviation safety. It also enhances regulatory oversight in ground handling operations across the country.
The official clearance was formally handed over to AISATS at DGCA headquarters in New Delhi. The milestone marks a proactive step by the regulator in aligning Indian aviation standards with global best practices.
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