Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that starts with the installation of an idol of Lord Ganesha in most households and comes to an end with the idol procession that leads to Ganesha Visarjan which is immersing the idol of Ganesha in sea waters.

It is fascinating to note that the festival is celebrated across the country and everyone enjoys it during the celebration. Let’s have a glance at how Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav is celebrated in various states and major cities of India.

Hyderabad 

• In Hyderabad, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm. During this 10 or 11 -day festival, people come together to celebrate it with great vigour and fervour. We can witness the huge idols of Lord Ganesha in enormous pandals, where people are allowed to visit to pray.
• The special dishes that are popular during this time are undrallu and kudumulu which are prepared along with rice porridge. These are prepared to offer to the Lord.
• If you are a Hyderabadi you would have surely heard about Khairatabad. It is a famous Mandal known for installing one of the tallest idols of Ganesha in Hyderabad for years. These huge idols of Lord Ganesha can go up to 60 ft, and the laddu which is placed in the left hand of the Lord weighs close to 5600 kg and is an offering to him.
• After the festival, the laddu is put on auction. However, people like to share a bit of the laddu with others too.

Mumbai

• Mumbai, also known as the bustling city of the country seems to be more lively with all the loud bellows of Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya during the time of Ganesh Chathurthi. Huge idols of Lord Ganesha can be witnessed by everyone which are displayed in decorated pandals across the city. 
• If you are in Mumbai during this time then you will surely witness how the city comes alive in vibrant colours. The idols will be installed both at famous pandals and also at homes. Here are some of the popular pandals to visit if you are in Mumbai, They are:
• Lalbaugcha Raja
• Khetwadi Ganraj
• Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja
• Andheri cha Raja, and others. 

On the 10th day or the final day, a carnival-like march is witnessed, when the idol is to be taken for immersion in the Arabian Sea.

Delhi

• Owing to its cosmopolitan nature, Delhi, during Ganesh Chaturthi will offer you a glimpse of all the cultural and traditional rituals that are practised in different parts of the country. In a few places, you might spot gigantic idols of Lord Ganesha and in other places, you will get to hear chants from Vedas and Upanishads that are being read by priests of temples. 
• Pandals are beautifully and creatively decorated during this time. Also, the public indulges in some fun to enjoy and celebrate the birth of God Ganesha.

Tamil Nadu

• In Tamil Nadu during the time of Ganesh Chathurthi, we often find devotees visiting different temples across the state. Everyone celebrates the festival with great fervour. During the festival, people perform various rituals such as special aartis and pujas.
• Similar to Delhi and Maharashtra, even in Tamil Nadu huge pandals are set where enormous Ganesh idols are placed for people to visit and offer their prayers.
• Also in South Indian states, one day before Ganesh Habba or Ganesh Chaturthi they celebrate Gauri or Gowri Habba. Goddess Gauri, the mother of Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day. 
• The celebration is based on the belief that first, the devotees greet Goddess Gauri into the house of and Lord Ganesha is welcomed the next day or the following day. Similarly,  Tamil Nadu also starts the celebration by worshipping Goddess Gauri first and then Lord Ganesh.

Karnataka

• Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in different ritualistic and traditional ways in Karnataka. Here, in Karnataka, the festival starts a day earlier, when prayers are offered to Goddess Gauri who is the mother of Lord Ganesh. 
• Later, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi starts grandly. During this day, sweets like gojju, modakam, and payasam are prepared and offered to the god which is later distributed as prasadam. 
• It all begins with the installation of an idol of Lord Ganesha in most of the households.
• So, this is how the festival of Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated in various states and major cities all over the country. Continue reading the next article to know about the interesting story behind this festival.