Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Maharashtra’s Festival of Faith and Togetherness

When the soft beat of dhol-tasha echoes through Maharashtra’s lanes and vibrant pandals begin to glow at every corner, you know one thing for sure: Ganapati Bappa is on his way home.

As August ends, Maharashtra prepares for its grandest celebration — Ganesh Chaturthi. The air is already alive with the sound of dhol-tasha, artisans are giving finishing touches to idols, and streets are dressed in colors of devotion.

But how did this festival, which today paints entire cities in shades of saffron, green, and devotion, truly begin?

The Origins of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi this year falls on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The ten-day festival culminates in visarjan, when communities bid farewell to one of the most beloved Gods with music, aarti, and the shared wish — “Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya!”

Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha, as mentioned in the Mudgala Purana and Ganapati Atharvashirsha. Families have worshipped Lord Ganesha at home for centuries, offering modaks and prayers for wisdom and prosperity.

While Ganesha worship is pan-Indian, the large-scale public celebration we know today has its roots in the late 19th century. During British rule, Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private family ritual into a public community festival in 1893, using it as a way to unite people across castes and communities against colonial restrictions. From then on, Ganapati Bappa was no longer just a family deity; he became Maharashtra’s beloved public spirit. And thus, the Ganeshotsav we know today was born — a celebration of faith, culture, and community.

Maharashtra – The Heartbeat of Ganapati

If there’s one state where Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival but an identity, it’s Maharashtra. Nowhere in India is Ganesh Chaturthi as grand as here.

Mumbai dazzles with massive idols like Lalbaugcha Raja, where lakhs wait patiently for darshan.

Pune, often called the cultural capital, lights up with processions, traditional dhol-tasha pathaks, and iconic mandals.

And among them, the most famous is the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati. Established in 1893 by Dagdusheth Halwai and his wife after losing their son to plague, the temple today is adorned with gold and draws devotees from across India.

If you happen to be in Pune during Ganesh Chaturthi, this is your chance to witness the city’s liveliness, devotion, and unmatched festive charm.

The Ashtavinayak Yatra – Eight Sacred Shrines of Ganesha

For devotees, Ganesh Chaturthi is not just about pandals and modaks; it is also about setting out on the Ashtavinayak Yatra, a pilgrimage that connects eight ancient temples of Lord Ganesha across Maharashtra. Each shrine is believed to be svayambhu (self-manifested), and together they form a spiritual circuit of around 650–700 km from Pune, usually completed in three days.

Here’s a glimpse into their timeless stories:

• Mayureshwar, Morgaon (Pune district) – The yatra begins and ends here. Legend says Ganesha, riding a peacock, slew the demon Sindhu at this very spot. Morgaon is considered the spiritual seat of the Ganapatya sect.
• Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek (Ahmednagar) – Situated by the Bhima river, this temple is unique because the idol’s trunk is turned to the right — a rare and powerful form. Devotees believe that worship here grants siddhi (spiritual power).
• Ballaleshwar, Pali (Raigad) – The only Ganesha temple named after a devotee, young Ballal, whose devotion moved Ganesha himself. The temple houses a historic bell brought by Chimaji Appa after his victory at Vasai.
• Varadvinayak, Mahad (Raigad) – Known as the giver of boons (varad), the temple’s oil lamp is said to be burning continuously since 1892 — a symbol of unbroken faith.
• Chintamani, Theur (Pune) – This shrine is tied to the legend of the Chintamani jewel, restored by Ganesha to Sage Kapila. It was also deeply revered by the Peshwas, who considered Theur their family deity.
• Girijatmaj, Lenyadri (Pune) – Perched in a series of Buddhist caves, this is the only Ashtavinayak temple located within a cave. Reached by climbing more than 300 stone steps, it is believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance and Ganesha was born as her son.
• Vighnahar, Ozar (Pune) – As the remover of obstacles, Vighnahar is especially worshipped by traders and farmers. The temple was renovated by Chimaji Appa, who adorned it with a golden kalash after his Vasai conquest.
• Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon (Pune) – Here Ganesha is worshipped in his fierce, eight-armed form that defeated the demon Tripurasura. The sanctum received patronage from the Peshwas, who considered Ranjangaon a site of immense power.

Together, these shrines narrate stories of devotion, victory, and blessings, making the Ashtavinayak Yatra one of Maharashtra’s most soulful journeys, much like the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva.

Pilgrimage packages from Pune are often available, especially around the festival, ranging between ₹3,000–₹5000 per person, inclusive of travel, meals, and lodging.

Faith That Unites Generations

Today, Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a religious festival; it is Maharashtra’s cultural soul. From Pune’s Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati and Kasba Ganpati, to Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja — where lakhs of devotees stand in line for hours for a single darshan — to the sacred hills of Lenyadri on the Ashtavinayak route, every step in this celebration tells us the same truth: faith has the power to bring people together.

So, whether you find yourself in a bustling Pune mandal, amidst the sea of humanity at Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja, or on the quiet roads of an Ashtavinayak pilgrimage, this Ganesh Chaturthi offers a chance to witness devotion, history, and community — all in one unforgettable experience.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!