Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Famous Ganpati temples across India

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi or also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi that honours Lord Ganpati is being celebrated on September 17 this year. As the ten day festival is celebrated with much fervour and lots of dry fruits and 'modaks', we list 10 famous Ganpati temples around the country that you could visit.

1) Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Maharashtra
As the state celebrates the festival with a lot of passion, people from all walks of life are seen waiting in long queues to pay their respect to the lord at this famous Ganesha temple in Mumbai. 

Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Image courtesy: dna Research and Archives

2) Nandi Temple in Bengaluru
The second famous Ganpati idol in the country is situated inside a park called Bugle Rock in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The idol also known as Dodda Ganesha sits next to that of Dodda Basavana Gudi, Nandi's idol. The Nandi temple is also known to be the biggest temple in the world. ​

Nandi Temple in Bengaluru. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

3) Trinetra Ganesha Temple in Rajasthan
The three-eyed Ganesha resides on top of the 1000 year old historic Ranthambore fort. This orange colour idol is one of the oldest idols in the country that sits with the rest of his family. 

Trinetra Ganesh Temple in Rajasthan. Image courtesy: Ranthambore National park site

4) Madhur Mahaganapathi Temple in Kerala
The temple located in North Kerala, Kasaragod was initially known to be a Shiva temple, but a legend says that the statue of Ganpathi was drawn by a small Brahmin boy while playing on the walls of the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) after which the statue started to grow.

Madhur Mahaganapathi Temple in Kerala. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

5) Ganesh Tok in Sikkim
The temple is located at a height of 6,500 ft in the capital, Gangtok near the hill's TV tower and gives a scenic view of the entire hill. On a cloudless day, one can even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the third highest mountain in the World, Mount Kanchenjunga. 

Ganesh Tok in Sikkim. Image courtesy: Ganesha website

6) Shri Subha Siddhi Vinayaka Mandir in New Delhi
Being one of the most famous Ganesh temples in the country, it is visited by people from all walks of life throughout the year.

Representational Image of Ganesha

7) Ganpatyar Temple in Kashmir
This is another temple that has a scenic view of the Jhelum river flowing smoothly. The temple is located in Srinagar near Habba Kadal.

Ganpatyar Temple in Kashmir. Image courtesy: iKashmir.org

8) Khade Ganeshji Temple in Rajasthan
The temple located in Kota is the only Ganesh idol in the country that is seen standing. It is known famously for 'fulfilling wishes'.

Khade Ganehji Temple in Rajasthan. Image courtesy: rajasthan.gov

9) Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur
Being one of the major tourist attractions in the pink city, this temple is located on a small hill and surrounded by a palace built by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal in the early 18th century.

Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur. Iamge courtesy: dna Research and Archives

10) SasiveKalu and Kadale Kalu Ganesha in Karnataka
Legend says that one day Lord Ganesha had eaten a lot and his stomach was on the verge of bursting, so he tied a snake around his waist. This temple in Hampi has the idol with a snake around his waist and has another image of Ganesha with a woman on his back which is believed to be symbolising Goddess Parvati, the protector of her son.

Sasivekalu Temple in Karnataka. Iamge courtesy: Wikimedia Commons