Elephant God Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) Guide 2025
Ganesha, the elephant god, is a symbol of wisdom and success. From private prayers at home to joyful dance and music on the streets, Ganesh Chaturthi brings together endless joy. Are you ready? Let's start your India tour, welcome Ganesha's arrival, and enjoy this ten-day carnival!
What Is Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi, or Elephant God Festival, is a vibrant Hindu festival. The Elephant God Ganesha is famous for providing wisdom and prosperity, helping people remove darkness from their lives, and bringing good fortune. With various rituals and fun activities, this festival is a great time for family bonding, community participation, and cultural expression.
Why Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated
The origin of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to ancient Indian mythology. Parvati created Ganesha from mud as her guardian, but Shiva later cut off his head by mistake. To make up for this mistake, Shiva put an elephant's head on Ganesha's body after 10 days, making him a symbol of wisdom, strength, and obstacle removal.
When starting a new career, study, or stage of life, Indians believe that Ganesha can remove obstacles in the way. This festival can pray for wisdom and good luck, symbolizing a new beginning and expressing the expectation of success and happiness.
Souvenirs of Ganesh Chaturthi
When Is Ganesh Chaturthi
Elephant God Festival lasts 10 days, begins on the fourth day of the Hindu calendar Bhadrapada, also known as Chaturthi, and is usually between August and September in the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, it will start on August 26 (Friday) and last until September 5 (Monday). The dates are only for your reference, and it's recommended to check the official website or contact relative staff in advance.
Where to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in India
Ganesha is widely revered in Hinduism, and this festival is mainly concentrated in Maharashtra region, especially Mumbai, where relatively lively and large celebrations are held. In addition, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and other places have celebrations of varying sizes.
How to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi
Enjoy Street Performances
During the festival, many parades will be accompanied by drums, flutes, and religious songs, and dancers in costumes will dance on the streets. You can enjoy a variety of vibrant traditional performances and feel the festive atmosphere.
Explore Fairs and Cultural Events
There are many fairs and cultural events, where you can buy handicrafts, decorations, and snacks related to Ganesha. In addition, you can participate in various cultural lectures, art exhibitions, and film screenings related to the elephant god to learn about India's religious beliefs and cultural traditions.
Visit the Statue-Making Workshop
For a deep impression, you can visit workshops to watch local artists hand-make Ganesha statues with clay or even participate in the making. This experience allows you not only to understand the carving process but also to appreciate the profound religious and cultural connotations behind this traditional art.
7 DAYS 
10 DAYS 
14 DAYS What Are the 10 Days of Ganesh Chaturthi
Day 1: Installation and Invitation
The festival begins with the installation of Ganesha idols. People buy or customize statues of various sizes and place them in homes or public altars, performing a sacred ceremony "pran pratishtha" to welcome the arrival of Ganesha. In addition, there are prayers, chanting, and offerings of sweets.
Day 2-9: Rituals and Activities
People perform daily worship rituals "puja" at home or in front of community altars, offering flowers, fruits, coconuts, and sweets. You can enjoy drama performances, dance competitions, concerts, lectures, and charity events. Besides, you will feel the strong religious atmosphere when believers sing sacred hymns and pray.
Day 10: Immersion and Farewell
The 10th day is the day when Ganesha bids farewell. Ganesha idols will be carried out of the house or community for a grand procession, with people beating drums, dancing, and singing, accompanied by prayers and wishes. Finally, statues are sunk into the river or the sea, symbolizing that Ganesha has returned to heaven and taken away people's troubles and obstacles.
What Delicacies to Eat
Modak
Modak is believed to be Ganesha's favorite dessert and the symbolic food of the Elephant God Festival. It is a steamed or fried dumpling made of rice flour, filled with coconut and palm sugar, and has a soft, sweet taste. It is believed that offering Modak to Ganesha can bring wisdom and good luck.
Laddoos
Laddos is a round ball made from chickpea flour, coconut flour, or rice, with sugar, ghee, and dry fruits added, giving it a crispy and sweet taste. Its preparation is relatively simple, and its crispy texture and moderate sweetness make it popular.
Puran Poli
This is a sweet Indian flatbread, usually made of wheat dough wrapped with a filling made of beans, coconut, sugar, and spices, and then fried. It is one of the common offerings during festivals, symbolizing a good harvest and a sweet life.
Puran Poli
Satori
Sartori, a classic Maharashtrian dessert, is a fragrant cookie with a crust usually made of wheat flour and a sweet filling made of milk, sugar, butter, and coconut. It is not only a dessert in family meals, but also a gift for sharing and giving to relatives and friends, symbolizing sweetness and blessings.
Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is a classic staple food, made by stir-frying fresh coconut shreds with cooked rice and seasoning with turmeric, coriander, and dry fruits. It not only has a unique coconut fragrance and fresh taste, but also symbolizes harvest and prosperity.
Shrikhand
Shrikhand is a cool dairy dessert, usually made with concentrated yogurt (Chakka), sugar, and spices (such as saffron, cardamom, etc.). To increase the flavor, dried fruits such as almonds and pistachios are added to it, which has a delicate and sweet taste.
Travel Tips
Plan Your Trip in Advance
The Ganesha Chaturthi lasts for 10 days and is a relatively large festival. You may encounter dense crowds because there are many markets, activities, and ceremonies. In addition, transportation will be affected and hotel prices will increase. Therefore, it is important to book accommodation and plan your trip in advance.
Respect Indian Culture
When attending ceremonies, try to dress conservatively. If you have the opportunity to attend a prayer ceremony in a home or temple, follow the guidance of the locals. You can gently put your hands together and remain polite.
Ask if You Can Take Photos
With rich cultural scenes, the festival offers great opportunities for photographing, but for many locals, religious ceremonies hold deep meaning, so taking photos without permission can be seen as disrespectful. It is best to ask in advance if you can take photos, especially in Indian temples or during family prayers and private religious ceremonies.
Pay Attention to Water Safety
The Ganesha idols are sent into rivers, lakes, or oceans, which may affect water quality. If you plan to go near water or participate in activities such as swimming, it's best to take precautions, avoid drinking unclean water, and carry disinfectants.
Celebrate India's Ganesh Chaturthi With Odynovo
With colorful parades, sweet food, and sacred ceremonies, the Ganesha Chaturthi offers a unique cultural feast. Odynovo invites you to set foot on this mysterious and joyful journey. Let us create a unique trip for you, filled with blessings and memories in the glory of this festival. Contact us now or write to [email protected]!
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