Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is a much-awaited and widely celebrated Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha across Indian states, from Maharashtra to Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and more.
The beloved elephant-headed god, Ganesha, is worshipped at the start of any new endeavor, intellectual pursuit, or business venture. In 2024, the festival will be celebrated for about ten days, starting on September 6 and ending on September 17.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with rich rituals and traditions. Visiting temples and offering prayers are meaningful ways to engage in the festivities and seek the blessings of the beloved deity. This year, celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha by visiting these iconic temples across India.
(Photo courtesy: siddhivinayak.org)
Siddhivinayak Temple | Mumbai, Maharashtra
A favorite among celebrities and dignitaries seeking blessings, this temple is famously known for fulfilling the wishes of its devotees, with the temple’s idol believed to be self-manifested.
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(Photo courtesy: Ballaleshwar devsthan/Facebook)
Ballaleshwar Temple | Pali, Maharashtra
One of the other prominent Ashtavinayak shrines, this temple’s story revolves around a devout child named Ballal, whose unwavering devotion to Lord Ganesha compelled the deity to manifest and bless him. The temple is unique as it is the only one where Lord Ganesha is known by a devotee’s name.
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Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple | Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
This is famous for its self-manifested idol of Lord Ganesha, which is said to be growing in size over time. It’s believed that the idol emerged from a well that provided water to resolve a dispute between three brothers.
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Shree Maha Ganapati Temple | Ranjangaon, Maharashtra
It is revered as the most powerful among the Ashtavinayak temples, as it’s said to be the site where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesha before embarking on his mission to defeat the demon Tripurasura.
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(Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)
Karpaga Vinayagar Temple | Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu
This is one of Tamil Nadu’s most ancient rock-cut temples, dating back to over 1,600 years. The temple houses an idol of Lord Ganesha in a rare seated posture, believed to be carved from a single stone.
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Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Also known as Malaikottai in Tamil, this is a seventh-century temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located at the summit of a massive rock formation and can be reached by climbing a series of steep steps carved into the rock itself.
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Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati | Pune, Maharashtra
This temple is famous for its 7.5-foot tall, gold-adorned Ganesha idol.
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(Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)
Khajrana Ganesh Temple | Indore, Madhya Pradesh
This temple was built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, the brave Maratha queen, who retrieved the idol of Lord Ganesha from a well where it had been hidden to keep it safe from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
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Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple | Jaipur, Rajasthan
The temple is built of stone carvings and is also known for its exquisite lattice work on marble. The idol of Lord Ganesha established in the temple is said to be more than five hundred years old.
