Lord Ganesha is the much loved Hindu God who is said to bring security and good fortune. He is the son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and according to Hindu tradition he is one who is worshipped first. Ganesh Chaturthi is the grand festival of Western and Southern parts of India. The large idols, gorgeous celebrations attract pilgrims and tourists from all over. We have created a list of Temples to visit during Ganesh Chaturthi in India for all you Ganpati lovers.
One of the famous Ganesh temples in Mumbai that is visited by dignitaries and celebrities is the Siddhivinayak in Mumbai. Established in the year 1801 it is one of the grand temples of Mumbai. The Ganesha here is also called Navasacha Ganpati which means if you truly wish something then it is granted. It is said that the Apple CEO, Tim Cook started his India tour with a visit to the Siddhivinayak temple.
The giant 7.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide Ganpati idol here is ornately decorated with precious gold jewellery. It is believed that Dagdusheth Gadve who sold sweets lost his son in an epidemic. Sad and forlorn after losing a child he built this Ganesha temple. And Lokmanya Tilak; the famous leader started Ganesh festival from here.
It is believed that all Hindu Gods face the east; while here in Ganpatipule the idol faces the west, guarding the west. This is almost a 400-year-old Ganpati idol. It is believed that the idol naturally evolved. The temple gets the first rays of sunlight all through February to November. Located on the Konkan coast this is also a beach retreat for most of the locals.
Ucchi Pillayar Temple is situated at the top of Rockfort in Trichy. Cut from rock by the Pallavas; this temple has amazing rock architecture. It was the Nayak rulers from Madurai who finished the structure during the Vijayanagara dynasty rulers. From here you can get glorious views of Trichy and Kaveri River. It is believed that Ganesha disguised himself as a shepherd boy and convinced Vibhisan to keep the idol of Vishnu and an angry Vibhisan unknowingly hits the Lord. So that mark is there on the idol’s head as well.
Built by the Cholas in 11th century this Ganesh temple has a historic structure and intricate designs. The idol has white, yellow, and red colours on the head that is believed to have come from taking a dip in the holy water. Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated with the annual festival Brahmotsavam. The festival goes on for 21 days. Grand processions are taken out during this time.
More than 250 years old; the Moti Dungri temple was built in the year 1761. Surrounded by forts and hills this is one of the ancient temples of Jaipur. The idol is believed to be around 500-year-old. A limestone and marble creation that reminds you of Scottish architecture; this is built in the Nagara style. Devotees also worship the Shiva lingam in the temple on Mahashivratri. It is around 6 km away from the city of Jaipur and is a famous Ganesh temple in Rajasthan.
The temple is located in Kerala. It is the home to the idols like Subramanian and also the Navagrahas. You can also find the idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Rama in this temple. The temple was built in 1980s, a concrete structure that encloses the shrines. Built by Raghunath Menon this temple is the outcome of love and faith of a common man. It does not have any royal ostentation. Pilgrims come here to be a part of the Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana. The temple also organizes Aanayoottu on the first day of following the month of the Malayalam calendar. Gajapuja occurs once in every four years. The temple is so simple and close to the road that pilgrims lovingly call it Roadside Ganpathy.
Located in Besant Nagar in Chennai this is a famous lord Ganesha temple in Chennai. Dedicated to the Hindu elephant God Vinayaka this is where you can see the idol of Vinayakar with Siddhi. There is also a small idol that was worshipped initially. Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi you can hear elaborate music program that attracts pilgrims and music lovers from all over India. The temple also has an auditorium where the cultural programs are conducted.
Located at a hill top with glorious views of Kanchenjungha mountains, this a beautiful temple in Gangtok. Tourists and pilgrims consider Ganesh Tok a very sacred place. The beautiful greenery and the steep height make the trip good for hikers and trekkers as well.
The oldest Ganesh temple in India is the Ranthambore Ganesh Temple. It is believed that Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini sought blessings from this temple during their wedding. Situated in the forests, in the 1000 year old Ranthambore Fort it is much revered by the locals and tourists. Every year this temple receives wedding invitations and gifts as all like to seek blessings of Ganesha before starting their new journey. This is the Pratham Ganesha or the Trinetra idol of Hindu religion. During the 13th century, the king established this temple during a wartime crisis and it brought peace and prosperity to the region.
Celebrated across India; Ganesh Chaturthi witnesses grand celebrations in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Odisha. But the list curated here are the famed temples that celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. If you wish to seek the Lord’s blessings at these temples and also be a part of the grand celebrations book a self drive car rental from Revv and make a memorable trip.
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