10 must-visit Ganesh Temples in India: Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is a much-awaited and widely celebrated Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha across Indian states, from Maharashtra to Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and more. The beloved elephant-headed god, Ganesha, is known as the diety of wisdom, prosperity, good fortune, and the remover of obstacles. He is often worshipped at the start of any new endeavour, intellectual pursuit, or business venture. In 2024, the festival will be celebrated for about ten days, starting on September 6 and ending on September 17. During the festival, beautifully decorated clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes, temples, and temporary public stages called pandals and then worshipped through various rituals and ceremonies, finally concluding on the day of Anant Chaturdashi, when his idol is carried in a public procession and immersed (visarjan) in a river of sea. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with rich rituals and traditions. Visiting temples and offering prayers are meaningful ways to engage in the festivities and seek the blessings of the beloved deity. Here are the 10 must-visit Lord Ganesha temples during Ganesh Chaturthi: S.No Temple Name Location (city, state) 1 Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai, Maharashtra 2 Vigneshwara Temple Ozar, Maharashtra 3 Ballaleshwar Temple Pali, Maharashtra 4 Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh 5 Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple Jaipur, Rajasthan 6 Manakula Vinayagar Temple Puducherry 7 Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 8 Shree Maha Ganapati Temple Ranjangaon, Maharashtra 9 Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu 10 Chintamani Temple Theur, Maharashtra Please note: These temples are selected based on personal recommendations. Interesting facts and stories about these temples: Here are some interesting facts and stories about famous Lord Ganesha temples in India that you can read to learn the historical, cultural and religious significance behind the festival: Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai, Maharashtra: One of the most-sought Ganesha temples, the Siddhivinayak Temple, in Mumbai, is famously known for fulfilling the wishes of its devotees, with the temple's idol believed to be self-manifested. Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali, Maharashtra: One of the other prominent Ashtavinayak shrines, Ballaleshwar Temple's story revolves around a devout child named Ballal, whose unwavering devotion to Lord Ganesha compelled the deity to manifest and bless him. The temple is unique as it is the only one where Lord Ganesha is known by a devotee's name. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh: The Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple is famed for its self-manifested idol of Lord Ganesha, which is said to be growing in size over time. It's believed that the idol emerged from a well that provided water to resolve a dispute among three brothers. Shree Maha Ganapati Temple, Ranjangaon, Maharashtra: The Shree Maha Ganapati Temple at Ranjangaon is revered as the most powerful among the Ashtavinayak temples, as it's said to be the site where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesha before embarking on his mission to defeat the demon Tripurasura. Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu: The Karpaga Vinayagar Temple is one of Tamil Nadu's most ancient rock-cut temples, dating back to over 1,600 years. The temple houses an idol of Lord Ganesha in a rare seated posture, believed to be carved from a single stone.
