Ganeshotsav Celebrations Spread Beyond Borders: Phuket and Tokyo Embrace Bappa

Ganeshotsav is making history in Thailand this year. For the first time, the festival will be celebrated at the newly inaugurated Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati Devalaya in Phuket, facing the calm blue waters of Rawai Beach. At its heart stands a 50-foot replica of Pune’s famous Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, radiating with devotion and grandeur.

The idol, crafted in Pune and consecrated with the sacred Ganesh Yantra, carries ornaments designed with divine precision by a well-known jewellery company. This dream temple took shape through the faith of Papa Son Mipa and the steadfast support of the Dagdusheth Trust,” says Mahesh Suryavanshi, treasurer of Dagdusheth Halwai Trust. Papa Son Mipa, the head of a real estate firm and a staunch Ganesh devotee, led the initiative in close collaboration with the Dagdusheth Mandir Trust to ensure authenticity in every detail.

In a land where elephants symbolize spiritual strength and royal grace, the beats of dhol-tasha echoing by the turquoise waters will create a moment of rare cultural harmony. Bowing before Lord Ganesha here will feel both elevated and intimate—a shared experience for locals and travellers across Asia. Visitors will witness a spectacle that is quintessentially Maharashtrian: Puneri Pathaks and traditional Marathi troupes performing against the stunning backdrop of Phuket’s shores, weaving Maharashtra’s vibrant traditions with Thailand’s timeless warmth.

Meanwhile, Bangkok has also upped the celebrations with the 18th Grand Ganesha Utsav by VHP Thailand. On August 30, the National Stadium at MBK turned into a festive hub with stage shows, cultural performances, Indian food, handicraft stalls, and games. This is said to be Thailand’s biggest Ganesh Utsav, drawing thousands of devotees and families.

The state festival of Maharashtra is no longer restricted to its borders. In many eastern countries, devotees are bringing home Bappa and the joy of Ganeshotsav. In Japan, for instance, Konnichiwa meets Bappa as the festival of devotion finds a vibrant home among thousands of Indians living in the land of cherry blossoms. From diamond merchants in Tokyo to corporate professionals in Yokohama, the Indian diaspora here is tightly knit—and when it comes to celebrating traditions, they do it with unmatched zeal.

“Having a community always gives you the feeling of family, even when you are far from home,” says Nischal Jain, a businessman who has lived in Tokyo for over a decade. For families like his, Ganeshotsav is more than a festival; it is a cultural anchor. Yokohama city is home to an active Indian organization that leads major Indian festivals. “Our Ganesh festival now attracts more than 400 families every year,” says Amit Gundecha, an employee at Globallic Japan and one of the core volunteers. “We even have a visarjan procession with over 300 participants. The atmosphere is authentically Indian—Indian attire, Indian music but everything is thoughtfully adapted to Japan’s cultural and legal norms. Months of planning go into the two-day weekend celebration, as weekdays are reserved for work. The idol is flown in from Mumbai—this year’s murti came from a store in Ghatkopar and is completely eco-friendly. For visarjan, a temporary water body is created to comply with Japanese environmental regulations,” adds Gundecha.

The rituals mirror those in Maharashtra—sthapana puja, soulful bhajans, children chanting shlokas, cultural performances, and mahaprasad served on traditional leaf plates. The atmosphere is vibrant, and every detail speaks of home. Local dignitaries and city officials are present from the very first day, mingling with families and appreciating the cultural showcase. Many Japanese guests join wholeheartedly—savoring prasad, applauding the performances, and even stepping into the visarjan procession. Interestingly, many Japanese visitors also relate Ganesha to Kangiten, a Buddhist deity often depicted with an elephant head and worshipped as a god of prosperity.

Beyond Yokohama, Tokyo has its own grand celebration at Okachimachi, the hub of Indian diamond merchants. Here, the Ganesh idol is fondly known as ‘Okachimachi ka Raja’, much like Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja. For the community, it’s more than nostalgia—it’s about identity, unity, and cultural pride. “Ganeshotsav here is not just about remembering home,” says Jain. “It’s about creating a bridge—where our children understand their roots and our Japanese friends experience the warmth of Indian traditions.”