Ludhiana gears up for Ganesh Chaturthi

With Ganesh Chaturthi beginning tomorrow, Ludhiana is abuzz with festive energy as artisans, devotees and temple committees make the final preparations to welcome Lord Ganesha with grandeur and devotion into their homes.

From narrow by-lanes to bustling markets, the city is witnessing a vibrant transformation, idols are being given final touches and ho

mes are being readied for the 10-day celebrations that begin on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a people also began celebrating the festival today afternoon.

Despite intermittent rainfall over the past few days, the spirit of devotees remains undeterred. At workshops across Chander Nagar, Ferozepur Road and Gill Chowk, idol makers are giving final touches to the idols and working round the clock to meet the rising demand. The shift toward eco-friendly clay idols is evident, with many families opting for sustainable choices.

“We’ve stopped using Plaster of Paris completely,” said Sudhir Kumar, a third-generation artisan. “This year, we’ve crafted over 300 clay idols, some as small as 12 inches and others towering at 5 feet. Each piece is hand-painted with natural colours. People want beauty, but they also want sustainability,” he added.

The post-pandemic trend of home celebrations continues to grow, with families choosing personalised idols and intimate pujas. Sheema Rani, an artist from Ferozepur Road, shared, “We’re getting requests for Bal Ganesh, and even Ganeshas dressed in Punjabi attire. It’s heartening to see how people are blending tradition with personal expression.”

Temples across Ludhiana are also preparing for elaborate rituals. At Model Town, a pandal is being decorated with marigold garlands, LED lights and traditional motifs. Pujari Ramakant Sharma said, “Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival—it’s a spiritual homecoming. We expect hundreds of devotees for the sthapana puja. Our message this year is simple: devotion over decoration.”

Devotees are equally enthusiastic. Shivani Gupta, a resident of BRS Nagar, said, “We’ve been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at home for five years now. It brings the family together. My kids help with the decorations and we prepare modaks and laddoos ourselves.”

With the city embracing both tradition and innovation, Ludhiana’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are set to be a blend of faith, creativity and community spirit. As the idols take shape and prayers begin, the city prepares to welcome Bappa with open hearts and folded hands.