Lucknow witnessed vibrant Ganesh Puja celebrations on Tuesday, as hundreds of devotees filled the pandals. The atmosphere was charged with the chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya,’ accompanied by devotional music and various cultural programs. This annual event continues to draw significant participation, reflecting the deep cultural roots and community spirit in Old Lucknow.
Pune native Mrinalini Shinde, now settled in Lucknow, said the celebrations recreated the festive spirit of Maharashtra. Marathi couple Anjana and Paresh Joseph, who shifted to Lucknow recently, said the festivities reminded them of the grandeur of Ganesh Utsav back home. At Chowk Ke Raja pandal, organised by the Marathi Samaj of Lucknow, the pandal was modelled on the Konark Sun Temple and has a replica of the Siddhivinayak idol. Priests from Maharashtra performed the morning aarti, followed by distribution of modak, laddoo and kheer. Children and adults dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire participated in dance and fancy-dress competitions, while stalls serving vada pav, misal pav and puran poli attracted visitors.