Summary
Ganesh Chaturthi, the grand festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India. Known as the remover of obstacles and bringer of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings, the festival holds immense cultural and spiritual value.
But did you know that Ganesh Chaturthi is not limited to India? The celebrations of Bappa’s arrival cross Indian borders and are observed in several other countries with equal devotion and unique traditions.
In this article, we’ll explore six countries that celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi outside India — and the 4th one on this list will truly surprise you.
When Does Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Begin?
In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on August 27 and continue for ten days, ending with the Ganesh Visarjan (idol immersion). Across India, cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru will see massive celebrations, but many countries abroad also pay homage to Lord Ganesha during this time.
6 Countries That Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi Beyond India
1. Nepal – Vinayaka Chaturthi
In Nepal, Ganesh Chaturthi is locally called Vinayaka Chaturthi. Temples like Maru Ganesh and Surya Vinayak host grand rituals where devotees offer prayers, sweets, and flowers to Lord Ganesha. Since Hinduism is deeply rooted in Nepal, the celebrations closely resemble those of India.
2. Indonesia (Bali) – Ganesh Worship in Balinese Hinduism
In Bali, Indonesia, Lord Ganesha is highly revered in Balinese Hinduism. During Ganesh Chaturthi, temples across the island host special prayers, blending ancient Balinese traditions with Indian rituals. Archaeological findings, including statues and carvings, show Ganesha’s worship dates back centuries in Indonesia.
3. Thailand – Phra Phikanet
In Thailand, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Phra Phikanet, the god of success, wisdom, and prosperity. On Ganesh Chaturthi, temples such as Wat Phra Sri Umadevi organize grand celebrations with offerings, music, and prayers. Businessmen and artists especially seek his blessings for good fortune.
4. Japan – Kangiten (Surprise!)
Yes, Japan also honors Lord Ganesha. Known as Kangiten, this deity is revered in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations take place in temples like Matsuchiyama Shoden in Tokyo and Hozanji in Nara. Interestingly, daikon radishes are offered as symbols of purity and prosperity — a unique Japanese twist to the tradition.
5. Cambodia – Ancient Ganesha Worship
In Cambodia, the worship of Ganesha dates back to the Khmer Empire. Temples like Angkor Wat still have carvings of Ganesha, reflecting centuries-old devotion. Even today, Hindus in Cambodia mark Ganesh Chaturthi with prayers and offerings, keeping this ancient practice alive.
6. Malaysia – Tamil Hindu Celebrations
Malaysia has a vibrant Hindu community, especially Tamil Hindus, who celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with grandeur. The Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Kuala Lumpur hosts multi-day celebrations with rituals, cultural performances, and community feasts. Here, Ganesha is worshipped as the lord of new beginnings and remover of obstacles.
How India Celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi 2025
While these countries celebrate the festival in their own cultural ways, India remains the heart of Ganesh Chaturthi. Here’s how different states add their own flavor:
- Maharashtra → The epicenter of celebrations with iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja and Dagdusheth Ganpati.
- Goa → Known for eco-friendly clay idols and the unique Matoli canopy decorated with fruits and herbs.
- Karnataka → Traditional dances, large processions, and the unique Patra Pooja using 21 types of leaves.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana → Massive pandals and the famous Vinayaka Nimajjanam immersion at Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar Lake.
- Tamil Nadu → Simple, spiritual celebrations with Kozhukattai (modak) offerings.
- West Bengal → Combines Ganesh worship with Lakshmi, reflecting local traditions.
- Gujarat → Cultural fairs, devotional music, and community gatherings.
- Odisha → Uniquely celebrated in schools and colleges, as Ganesha is seen as the giver of knowledge.
Countries Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi Beyond India
| Country | Local Name / Belief | Key Temples / Places | Unique Celebration Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | Vinayaka Chaturthi | Maru Ganesh, Surya Vinayak | Families perform pujas at home, offer festive meals, and hold temple ceremonies similar to Indian traditions. |
| Indonesia (Bali) | Ganesh worship in Balinese Hinduism | Balinese Hindu temples | Lord Ganesha is deeply rooted in Balinese culture. Prayers are held in temples, blending Indian rituals with Balinese customs. |
| Thailand | Phra Phikanet | Wat Phra Sri Umadevi and major temples | Ganesha is worshipped as the god of success and arts. Elaborate prayers, music, and offerings mark the festival. |
| Japan | Kangiten | Matsuchiyama Shoden (Tokyo), Hozanji (Nara) | Ganesha is honored as Kangiten. Devotees offer daikon radishes as symbols of purity and prosperity, making this celebration unique. |
| Cambodia | Ancient Ganesha worship since Khmer Empire | Angkor Wat and temple sites | Carvings of Ganesha still adorn temples. Prayers and offerings continue a centuries-old legacy of devotion. |
| Malaysia | Ganesh Chaturthi by Tamil Hindus | Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Kuala Lumpur | Multi-day celebrations with rituals, community prayers, cultural programs, and festive meals to honor new beginnings. |
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 in India: Key Highlights
| State / Region | Unique Style of Celebration |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Epicenter of Ganesh Utsav with iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja and Dagdusheth Ganpati, along with grand immersion processions. |
| Goa | Known for eco-friendly clay idols and the unique Matoli canopy decorated with fruits, vegetables, and herbs. |
| Karnataka | Large processions, cultural performances, and Patra Pooja (worship using 21 different leaves). |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Massive pandals, creative idol designs, and grand immersions at lakes such as Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad. |
| Tamil Nadu | Simple, spiritual traditions with clay idols at home, temple rituals, and Kozhukattai (modak) offerings. |
| West Bengal | Ganesha worship often combined with Goddess Lakshmi, reflecting unique Bengali traditions. |
| Gujarat | Community gatherings, devotional music, cultural fairs, and festive sweets like motichoor laddoo. |
| Odisha | Ganesh Chaturthi is popularly celebrated in schools and colleges, highlighting Ganesha as the giver of knowledge. |
Final Thoughts
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival — it’s a global celebration of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. From Nepal to Japan, and Cambodia to Malaysia, the presence of Lord Ganesha is felt far beyond India’s borders.
As we approach Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 (August 27), it’s fascinating to see how different cultures blend their traditions with the universal devotion to Lord Ganesha.
Whether in Mumbai, Bali, or Tokyo — the chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoes with the same spirit of faith and joy.
Note: All information and images used in this content are sourced from Google. They are used here for informational and illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Ganesh Chaturthi
1. When will Ganesh Chaturthi be celebrated in 2025?
Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025 will begin on August 27 and will be celebrated for 10 days. The festival concludes with Ganesh Visarjan, where idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water with devotion and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
2. Which countries celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi other than India?
Apart from India, six countries also celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion:
- Nepal – Known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, celebrated at Maru Ganesh and Surya Vinayak temples.
- Indonesia (Bali) – Ganesha worship is deeply rooted in Balinese Hinduism.
- Thailand – Worshipped as Phra Phikanet, especially at Wat Phra Sri Umadevi.
- Japan – Revered as Kangiten, with unique rituals at Matsuchiyama Shoden (Tokyo) and Hozanji (Nara).
- Cambodia – Worship continues from Khmer Empire times, especially at Angkor Wat.
- Malaysia – Celebrated by Tamil Hindus at temples like Sri Sithi Vinayagar in Kuala Lumpur.
3. Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and bringer of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. It is a celebration of faith, unity, and cultural traditions, with rituals ranging from home pujas to large-scale public festivals.
4. How is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra is considered the heart of Ganesh Utsav, with grand public pandals such as Lalbaugcha Raja and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati. The festival is filled with devotional music, cultural performances, community feasts, and ends with a spectacular immersion procession.
5. What makes Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa unique?
In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi (locally called Chavath) is celebrated in an eco-friendly way. Families make clay idols, decorate them with banana and betel leaves, and prepare traditional dishes. The Matoli canopy, decorated with fruits, herbs, and vegetables, is a distinctive feature.
6. How do other Indian states celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
- Karnataka – Features Patra Pooja and cultural performances.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – Known for massive processions and Vinayaka Nimajjanam immersions.
- Tamil Nadu – Celebrated simply with clay idols, flowers, and Kozhukattai offerings.
- West Bengal – Combines Ganesh worship with Goddess Lakshmi, highlighting Bengali artistry.
- Gujarat – Filled with cultural fairs, devotional music, and festive gatherings.
- Odisha – Popularly celebrated in schools and colleges, emphasizing knowledge and wisdom.
7. What is unique about Japan’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations?
In Japan, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Kangiten. A special ritual involves offering daikon radishes, symbolizing purity and prosperity. Celebrations are held at Matsuchiyama Shoden (Tokyo) and Hozanji (Nara), blending Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
8. Why is Ganesh Chaturthi significant beyond India?
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival but a global celebration of wisdom, prosperity, and cultural harmony. From Nepal to Japan and Malaysia, the devotion to Lord Ganesha crosses borders, proving that his blessings inspire faith, unity, and positivity worldwide.