Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the much anticipated festivals in India and the enthusiasm of celebration of this festival is unmatched as it is being an affair of color and pomp. The streets are filled with the chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, pandals shine with the beautiful decorations and people get to know each other in welcoming Lord Ganesha to their houses and cities. The festival that began as a local celebration at Maharashtra has since moved on to become one of the largest cultural festivals in the nation due to the influence of the community in the festival.
Visiting the most popular places in India that celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with zeal and magnificence is a good idea, here are some of the places which is best to? visit to experience this wonderful occasion. And with convenient flight booking opportunities you can reserve a ticket and save money on a cheap flight to these cities and celebrate the atmosphere of the festival.
1. Mumbai – The Centre of Ganesh Chaturthi The Festival
As you think about Ganesh Chaturthi, of course the city you think of is Mumbai. The city is associated with huge pandals, mammoth idols and days-long processions. Mumbai has one of the most well known gifts; Lalbaugcha Raja, Siddhivinayak Temple offerings and Andhericha Raja.
It is a coming together of the entire city these ten days -markets are filled with sweets like modaks, fairylights perk up streets, and lakhs of devotees wait in line to seek darshan. The Dissolution (Visarjan) in Girgaon Chowpatty is a memorable exploration as numbers of the people chant and dance as they bid Bappa farewell.
How to reach: Fly in to Mumbai with a flight ticket to Mumbai, anywhere in India. There is easy access via making an airline reservation to Mumbai using several airlines that offer low fares.
2. Pune – A Royal and Aged Tradition
The cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune also celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with flambe, but with a more traditional fervor than in Mumbai. The city has a number of Manache Ganpati (respected Ganesh pandals) with a wealth of historical significance and devotion.
Some of the renowned destinations where masses throng to see darshan are the Kasba Ganpati, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug Ganpati, and Jogeshwari Ganpati. The celebration in Pune is an immersive blend of history, devotion, and cultural influences, which is why the festival is a must-visit event if one wants to experience a more grounded version of the festival.
How to go: A small flight ticket to Pune can fly you inside the celebrations. Most local airlines offer low fares flights to Pune during that time.
3. Hyderabad – Ganesh with a Southern Grandeur
Ganesh Chaturthi at Hyderabad is distinguished by its high spectacle idols and grand processions. The Khairatabad Ganesh is considered one of the tallest ganesh idols in India, sometimes crossing the 50 feet mark, and continues to attract large numbers of people each year.
The festival here is characterised by colourful pandals, devotional music and cultural performances. The bathing at Hyderabad Hussain Sagar Lake is a sight to remember where people come in large numbers to see off Bappa.
How to reach: Book flight tickets to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. Book cheap flights early enough to avoid last minute rush.
4. Goa A Home Coming Celebration
In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as chavath is celebrated in a very homely manner. The festival is also celebrated mostly in homes unlike the lavish pandals of Mumbai and Pune. Lord Ganesha is worshipped using eco friendly clay idols installed by families with whole hearted devotion.
The whole state becomes a cultural center replete with the ritual dances known as the folk dances, Konkani songs, and other various and sundry sweets like nivri and modak. Goa is a refreshing change to those travellers who wish to experience Ganesh Chaturthi in a cultural and smaller-scale way.
Air-reach: Dabolim Airport has flights to and fro all major cities. With the right planning you can get a budgeted flight and soak in the festive yet calm atmosphere at Goa.
5. Chennai – The Religious southern Fete
Although Tamil Nadu is known as the land of great temple festivals it is also important that Ganesh Chaturthi has become a beloved festival in Chennai. In this, gigantic idols are erected in pandals all over the city and people flock to temples such as the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple as well as the Vinayaka Temple.
The immersion ceremonies usually done in Marina Beach are a spectacle to behold since thousands of people tell about the idols through music, chants and dancing.
How to get to: Get a fast airline ticket to Chennai International Airport. It has inexpensive air flights that are frequently provided; this is a cheap affordable vacation destination.
6. Bangalore- A mixture of Old and New
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of Bangalore celebrated with great communal feeling and spirit. There is also a very famous temple of Basavanagudi Ganesh and Panchamukhi Ganesha at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar that attracts multitude of people year after year.
Beside religious practices, cultural events like cultural programmes in form of music, drama plays and dances mark the occasion. The youngsters liven up this old school festival.
How to reach: Kempegowda International Airport is well-linked to other cities within the country and one can get a low flight ticket by booking early.
7. Delhi -Ganesh Utsav in the Capital
Delhi may not be the city that would come to your mind with Ganesh Chaturthi but the city is playing host to the festival with more ecstatic year on year. Pandals occupying large spaces can be found in places such as Lajpat Nagar, Dwarka and Pitampura, with the pandals supporting very high numbers of devotees.
In Delhi, the festival is multi cultural with cultural shows, devotional singing, colorful decorations etc. All community members get in the celebration crawl.
Mode of communication: Delhi being the capital, is well accessible through the flights to the rest of the country as well. Watch out on offers on low budget flight booking to make a festive journey.
Tips On How To Get The Best Ganesha Chaturthi Trip
Book flights in advance: With so many flights available, it is best to reserve your flight in advance in order to book a low-cost air ticket.
Stay close to pandals: Look for place to stay close to important pandals or immersion points, to avoid troublesome traffic.
Try some local sweets: Don’t miss modaks in Maharashtra, nevri in Goa and kozhukattai in Tamil Nadu.
Pandals: Remember to obey the rules of pandals, dress decently and show respect to traditions.
Final Thoughts
Ganesh Chaturthi is not necessarily a festival of celebration but rather of devotion, cheerfulness, community and culture. Be it the stateliness of Mumbai, the culture of Pune, the down to earth Chennai or the homey warm Goa, all these places will give their flavour to the festivity.
When you have enough choices available that provide cheap flights and simple flight reservation online, travelling to these cities during the Ganesh Chaturthi has never been easier. Get your suitcase, your plane ticket and be prepared to receive Lord Ganesha in the most unforgettable manner being possible!
