Kathua, September 14, 2026 – The festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi has enveloped Kathua as a grand 12-day Ganesh Utsav commenced at Main Bazaar Chowk on Monday, marking the start of one of the region’s most vibrant religious celebrations of the year.
The festivities began with the ceremonial installation of a magnificent Ganpati idol at the venue, accompanied by the sacred Pran Pratishtha ritual — the traditional consecration ceremony through which the deity is symbolically invoked into the idol. The ceremony was conducted amid chanting of Vedic hymns, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion and spiritual energy as devotees gathered in large numbers to witness the proceedings.
Local organisers have put together an elaborate schedule of religious and cultural activities to mark the occasion. Daily pooja and aarti sessions will be held at the pandal, drawing devotees from across the town who will offer prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom and new beginnings. Evenings through the twelve days will resonate with devotional bhajans, as community members come together to sing hymns in praise of the beloved deity, reinforcing the collective spirit of faith that defines the festival.
The Main Bazaar Chowk pandal has already emerged as a focal point of devotion for the town, with families, traders and residents visiting through the day to seek blessings. The grand scale of the idol and the elaborate decorations at the venue reflect the growing enthusiasm with which Ganesh Utsav is being embraced in Kathua, mirroring celebrations seen in other parts of the country where the festival has taken on the character of a large public event rather than a purely household observance.
As per tradition, the twelve-day celebration will draw to a close with the much-awaited Ganpati Visarjan procession, during which the idol will be taken through the streets amid singing, dancing and chanting of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” before being ceremonially immersed in a nearby water body. The Visarjan procession is expected to be a major community event, drawing large crowds and marking a fitting conclusion to the days of devotion and celebration.
Ganesh Utsav has, over the years, evolved beyond a religious observance into a symbol of community unity, drawing people together across generational and social lines in shared celebration. The scale of this year’s arrangements at Main Bazaar Chowk signals the growing prominence of the festival in Kathua’s cultural calendar, with organisers expressing hope that the celebrations will continue to grow in scale and participation in the years ahead.
With devotion at its core and the town resonating with chants and celebrations, Kathua’s Ganesh Utsav stands as a vibrant reminder of the deep-rooted traditions that continue to bring communities together in faith and festivity.
