Delhi is set to don the colours of Maharashtra as Ganesh Chaturthi festivities take over the capital from Wednesday.
What was once a traditional celebration has grown into a citywide spectacle where devotion mingles with art, theatre, and even current affairs.
From tributes to Operation Sindoor and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to eco-conscious immersions, this year’s puja season promises to be both spiritual and thought-provoking.
This year’s pandal pays tribute to India’s defence and space milestones. Models of Akash and Agni missiles as well as the Tejas fighter jet are displayed alongside a tribute to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Environmental sensitivity is woven into the design too. "The Ganesh idols are immersed in a specially created eco-reservoir within the pandal. The water afterward nourishes saplings. The Yamuna, thus, remains untouched and city traffic unburdened," Ladda explained.
Other large-scale pandals are echoing similar themes. At Netaji Subhas Place, the Lalbaugcha Raja of Delhi, modelled exactly on Mumbai’s famous idol, is expected to draw thousands. "The idol is identical to Mumbai's, made by the same artist, Santosh Kambli," said Anil Wadhwa of the Lal Bagh Ka Raja Trust. "We have seating for hundreds, a towering Adi Yogi and Nandi statue from Coimbatore for the 10 days of celebrations." Like in Laxmi Nagar, immersion here will also be eco-sensitive, done in a dedicated pit behind the venue.
At Maharashtra Sadan, an 11-day festival has begun with equal grandeur. "A 4ft idol from our own state will be immersed within the campus. Visitors will get a taste of authentic culture, with performances from folk troupes, alongside lavish servings of modak, puran poli and vada pav. The entire celebration is steeped in devotion and cultural pride," said DN Chougule.
Smaller gatherings are adding their own cultural flavour. In Greater Kailash II’s S Block, Marathi families are keeping the focus on eco-friendly tub immersions. "The festival begins with pooja, aarti and Atharvashirsha recital. The cultural highlights include a one-act play and musical evenings with classic Hindi and Marathi songs sung by artistes from Nagpur," shared Sadanand Kavishwar of Marathi Mitra Mandal.
Elsewhere, communities are drawing from regional traditions. At a Karnataka-style temple in Delhi, the idol is carved from black stone. "We already conducted a havan with 1,008 modaks offered as aahuti, chanting of 10,000 mool mantras and offerings of turmeric, sindoor, sugarcane, jaggery and coconuts," said temple priest Lokesh.
Across the capital, the scale remains varied but the devotion is unmistakable. Dwarka hosts one of the tallest idols, Mayur Vihar brings a Chennai-crafted Ganpati with 1,008 modaks, and Pitampura’s Dilli Haat is transforming into a cultural fair with crafts, food and puja. At Sarojini Nagar’s historic Vinayak Mandir, flower garlands, rangolis and shimmering lights are ready to welcome thousands of devotees to one of Delhi’s oldest Ganesh Chaturthi traditions.
(With inputs from ToI)
What was once a traditional celebration has grown into a citywide spectacle where devotion mingles with art, theatre, and even current affairs.
From tributes to Operation Sindoor and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to eco-conscious immersions, this year’s puja season promises to be both spiritual and thought-provoking.
Operation Sindoor at centre stage in east Delhi
The Dilli Ka Maharaja Ganesh Mahotsav, now in its 24th year at Laxmi Nagar, is again at the heart of Delhi’s celebrations. "Alongside the spiritual celebrations, we have always remained committed to social and environmental causes," said Mahendra Ladda, founder-president of Shri Ganesh Seva Mandal. "Our puja time initiatives include cow protection, blood donation camps, medical camps, community weddings for underprivileged girls and the use of eco-friendly Ganesh idols."This year’s pandal pays tribute to India’s defence and space milestones. Models of Akash and Agni missiles as well as the Tejas fighter jet are displayed alongside a tribute to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Environmental sensitivity is woven into the design too. "The Ganesh idols are immersed in a specially created eco-reservoir within the pandal. The water afterward nourishes saplings. The Yamuna, thus, remains untouched and city traffic unburdened," Ladda explained.
Other large-scale pandals are echoing similar themes. At Netaji Subhas Place, the Lalbaugcha Raja of Delhi, modelled exactly on Mumbai’s famous idol, is expected to draw thousands. "The idol is identical to Mumbai's, made by the same artist, Santosh Kambli," said Anil Wadhwa of the Lal Bagh Ka Raja Trust. "We have seating for hundreds, a towering Adi Yogi and Nandi statue from Coimbatore for the 10 days of celebrations." Like in Laxmi Nagar, immersion here will also be eco-sensitive, done in a dedicated pit behind the venue.
Music, yatras and cultural pride
In Kirti Nagar, the arrival of the deity will be marked with thunderous beats from 100 drummers from Maharashtra. "We have been organising the event for 28 years and expect 3,000-4,000 people every day," said Deepak Bharadwaj of Shri Gayatri Navyuk Mandal. "There will be cultural performances, a yagyashala and a yatra. Waterproof tents will ensure celebrations in rain and shine." The five-foot idol here will be immersed at Wazirabad. SK Verma, also part of the Kirti Nagar organising team, added, "The idol will be taken out in a yatra with raths, vintage cars, fire and drone shows before its immersion."At Maharashtra Sadan, an 11-day festival has begun with equal grandeur. "A 4ft idol from our own state will be immersed within the campus. Visitors will get a taste of authentic culture, with performances from folk troupes, alongside lavish servings of modak, puran poli and vada pav. The entire celebration is steeped in devotion and cultural pride," said DN Chougule.
Smaller gatherings are adding their own cultural flavour. In Greater Kailash II’s S Block, Marathi families are keeping the focus on eco-friendly tub immersions. "The festival begins with pooja, aarti and Atharvashirsha recital. The cultural highlights include a one-act play and musical evenings with classic Hindi and Marathi songs sung by artistes from Nagpur," shared Sadanand Kavishwar of Marathi Mitra Mandal.
Homes and temples keep traditions alive
Ganesh festivities are not confined to large pandals. In Jor Bagh, astrologer and speaker Dr Jai Madaan is hosting a puja at home with an emphasis on sustainability. "The theme of this year's celebration is ‘Soulful and Sustainable Ganesh Chaturthi," she said. "The Ganesh idol is eco-friendly. We will have fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables, grains, flowers, the traditional banana leaves, earthen pots and brass utensils." She will also guide visitors on making eco-friendly idols.Elsewhere, communities are drawing from regional traditions. At a Karnataka-style temple in Delhi, the idol is carved from black stone. "We already conducted a havan with 1,008 modaks offered as aahuti, chanting of 10,000 mool mantras and offerings of turmeric, sindoor, sugarcane, jaggery and coconuts," said temple priest Lokesh.
Across the capital, the scale remains varied but the devotion is unmistakable. Dwarka hosts one of the tallest idols, Mayur Vihar brings a Chennai-crafted Ganpati with 1,008 modaks, and Pitampura’s Dilli Haat is transforming into a cultural fair with crafts, food and puja. At Sarojini Nagar’s historic Vinayak Mandir, flower garlands, rangolis and shimmering lights are ready to welcome thousands of devotees to one of Delhi’s oldest Ganesh Chaturthi traditions.
(With inputs from ToI)
