Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Bhopal Ke Raja Marks 80 Years As Ganesh Utsav Begins
Bhopal is beginning its 10-day Ganesh Utsav festival.
The city’s famous Bhopal Ke Raja celebration is turning 80 this year.
It started in 1947, soon after India became independent.
The idol is placed at Peepal Chowk in the Old City.
The organizers will keep the idol six feet tall, as they have done before.
Many other areas will also build special pandals for people to visit.
New Market will have a replica of Pune’s Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple.
Other pandals will show large Ganesha idols, Simhastha themes, Mahakal, the Kshipra river, or Ganesha riding Nandi.
People will visit these decorations and take part in the festival.
The Bhopal Ke Raja tradition began in 1947 and has continued for 80 years.
The idol is installed at Peepal Chowk in Bhopal’s Old City and will remain six feet tall.
Organizers will spend about Rs 15 lakh on this year’s Bhopal Ke Raja celebration.
A replica of Pune’s Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple will headline celebrations at New Market.
The city’s pandals will feature idols and themes including Simhastha, Mahakal, the Kshipra river, and Nandi.
- Who
- The Shri Dol Gyaras Samiti and organizers of Ganesh Utsav celebrations in Bhopal.
- What
- The 80th year of the Bhopal Ke Raja tradition and the opening of hundreds of Ganesh festival pandals.
- When
- This year; the celebrations begin on Monday and continue for 10 days.
- Where
- Peepal Chowk in Bhopal’s Old City, New Market, Mata Mandir, Chandbad, Somwara, and Sindhi Colony.
- Why
- To continue the long-running public celebration of Ganesh Utsav and offer devotees places to worship and visit festival displays.
- Bhopal Ke Raja tradition
- The Shri Dol Gyaras Samiti has installed the idol since 1947.
- Public celebrations
- The festival was held inside a shop in 1947 and 1948, then publicly from 1949.
- Main idol height
- The Bhopal Ke Raja idol will be six feet tall.
- Bhopal Ke Raja budget
- Organizers expect to spend around Rs 15 lakh this year.
- New Market attraction
- A replica of Pune’s Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple will be displayed.
- New Market idol
- A 13-foot Lord Gan Gajanand idol will be installed in a 3,000-square-foot pandal.
- Festival duration
- Ganesh Utsav will continue for 10 days.