Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 got underway with vibrant celebrations across India on Monday, 14 September, as millions of devotees welcomed elaborately crafted idols of Lord Ganesha into homes and public pandals, marking the start of the 10-day festival. The fervour was particularly intense in Maharashtra, where the festival holds deep cultural and historical roots.

Celebrations Across Maharashtra

In Pune, the arrival ceremony of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati — regarded as Hindustan's first public Ganpati — commenced amid the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha, drawing large crowds of devotees. Special prayers were simultaneously performed at the iconic Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple.

In Mumbai, dazzling lights and elaborate decorations transformed the city's most prominent pandals and temples. Key venues drawing massive footfall included Lalbaugcha Raja at Lalbaug, Tejukaya Mandal, Ganesh Gully, GSB Seva Mandal at Matunga-Kings' Circle, Andheri-cha-Raja, Kethwadi 11th and 12th Lane, and the Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal. The renowned Siddhivinayak Temple was also magnificently decorated, adding to the city's devotional atmosphere.

In Nagpur, thousands gathered at the celebrated Ganesh Tekdi Temple since early morning. Devotees stood in long queues as the temple precincts resonated with chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'. Organisers set up separate queues for men and women and arranged e-rickshaws and electric vehicles to assist elderly visitors, according to reports.

Historical Significance of the Festival

The public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in its modern, community-facing form in Maharashtra carries competing historical claims. The Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust maintains that freedom fighter Bhausaheb Rangari started the public Ganeshotsav in Pune in 1892, making it the first such public event. Separately, the festival's sarvajanik format in Mumbai is widely traced to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who launched his own public Ganeshotsav from Keshavji Nayak Chawl in Girgaum in 1893 as a vehicle for the freedom struggle — an initiative aimed at unifying communities and mobilising public sentiment against colonial rule.

This dual origin story reflects the festival's layered significance: part religious observance, part civic tradition, and part historical symbol of India's independence movement.

What Devotees Said

A devotee at the Ganesh Tekdi Temple in Nagpur said organisers had made special logistical arrangements to handle the rush. 'Our main intention is to ensure that every devotee gets proper darshan, and we have made arrangements accordingly,' the devotee said, adding that separate queues and accessible transport had been put in place.

Another devotee reflected on the festival's spiritual message: 'The true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesha relieves us of our troubles and brings us happiness. Similarly, in our own lives, we should aim to spread happiness to others rather than causing them pain.'

Looking Ahead: Anant Chaturdashi on 25 September

The 10-day festivities will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi, 25 September, when devotees across India will bid farewell to the deity through grand immersion processions. In Mumbai and Pune, these processions typically draw lakhs of participants and represent one of the largest peaceful public gatherings in the country every year.