If you roam around town for the next few days, you’ll definitely catch a whiff of coconut and jaggery in the air, and quite possibly hear a distant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoing between homes. That’s because Ganpati season is officially here, and honestly, it might be one of the most joyful ten (okay, eleven) days on Dubai’s cultural calendar. No matter if this is your first Ganesh Chaturthi away from family, or your annual gather of friends and family at home to see Bappa, here’s everything you need to know about celebrating in Dubai. And I’m also sharing with you guys some seriously important rules Dubai has set when it comes time for Visarjan. So keep reading for all the details you need to know.
So, What Exactly Is Ganesh Chaturthi?
First things first. For our new friends who may not know what this auspicious occasion is, allow me to tell you. Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Who Hindus worship as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and new beginnings. This year, the festival start on Monday, September 14, and it’s not a one-day affair. Families welcome a clay idol of Ganesha into their homes, perform daily prayers (aarti), and share his favourite sweet, the modak, with everyone who walks through the door. Depending on the family’s tradition, the idol stays for anywhere from a day and a half to the full ten or eleven days, before being lovingly immersed in water on the final day, known as Anant Chaturdashi, which falls this year on Friday, September 25.
It’s a festival that’s equal parts devotion and celebration. And in Dubai, where the Indian community is such a huge part of the city’s fabric, it genuinely takes over entire neighbourhoods for a week and a half.
Where To Soak In The Celebrations Across The UAE
If you want to experience the festival in person, a few spots are the heart of it all every year.
Hindu Temple, Jebel Ali
This is where a lot of Dubai’s Ganpati devotees head first. A striking, larger-than-life Ganesha idol is installed ahead of the festival, the whole space gets decked out in marigolds and lights, and the early morning aarti is genuinely something to experience.
Bur Dubai Temple
Home to the city’s well-known Hindu temple area near the Krishna Temple, this is the other big hub. Expect queues from as early as 4:30am, shops overflowing with clay idols and sweets, and an atmosphere that spills right out onto the street.
BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
If you’re up for a short drive, this stunning temple also holds its own Ganesh Chaturthi ceremonies and is well worth the trip if you haven’t visited yet anyway.
A quick heads up if you’re planning to attend any public event or aarti this year. It’s always worth checking the temple’s page or calling ahead for exact timings, since programmes sometimes shift to the nearest weekend so more working families can join in.
Visarjan Rules Every Resident Must Keep In Mind This Season
If you’re used to seeing Ganesh idols immersed in the sea or a lake back home, Dubai works differently. And it’s really important to know this before Anant Chaturdashi rolls around. You cannot assume it’s okay to immerse an idol at Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach, Dubai Marina, Dubai Creek, Palm Jumeirah, or any of the city’s waterfront canals. Dubai Municipality treats dumping waste, including idol materials, into the sea, beaches or creeks as a public cleanliness violation. And there’s no single blanket permit that covers Ganesh Visarjan the way there might be back home.
The good news is there are still meaningful, respectful ways to do it right here in the city:
- Temple or community-managed immersion tanks are the simplest option. Both the Jebel Ali and Bur Dubai temples annually arrange their own immersion setups. So it’s worth checking directly with them for this year’s date, registration process, and any idol size limits.
- Home immersion works beautifully too, especially if you’ve gone with a natural clay (shadu) idol. You can dissolve it gently in a tub or bucket at home, and once it settles, use the leftover clay and water in your home gardens rather than pouring it down a drain.
- If you’re organising anything public, always get written confirmation from whoever manages the venue that idol immersion specifically (not just a gathering) is allowed there.
On that note, choosing a natural clay idol with natural colours over Plaster of Paris makes the whole process so much easier and kinder to the environment. Plus it dissolves properly instead of just sitting there.
Where To Get Your Modak Fix (AKA The Most Delicious Part)
No Ganpati celebration is complete without some fresh modaks. As you may know, this is the sweet steamed dumpling said to be Ganesha’s absolute favourite. Here’s where the city usually turns for its modak fix during the festival:
- Manisha’s Kitchen, Karama – handmade Ukadiche Modak with jaggery and fresh coconut, plus Fried, Kesar and Mawa versions. Available for pre-order and pickup
- Gomantak – packaged boxes in 9-piece (AED 69), 11-piece (AED 82) and 21-piece (AED 145), great for gifting.
- Mumbaikar’s, Oud Metha – Jain-friendly Ukadiche Modaks available.
- Jamanvar, Sharjah – a big 16-variety menu including fun fusion options like guava-chilli and chocolate-kunafa modak
Quick tip. Most of these run on pre-order, and stock does sell out closer to Anant Chaturdashi, so it’s worth ordering early.
Fun Chants To Bring Out At Your Next Ganpati Gathering
Ganpati processions in India are famous for these goofy, rhyming slogans that get shouted out for laughs as much as devotion. And honestly, they’re the perfect icebreaker at a home pooja too. Here are a few classics to bring out with your family and friends this year:
- “Ek Do Teen Chaar, Ganpati Ki Jai Jai Kaar, Paanch Che Saat Aath, Ganpati Hai Sabke Saath”
- “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Ganpati Bappa Superstar” (this one always gets a laugh from the kids)
- “Ek Glass, Do Glass, Ganpati Che Firstclass”
- “Jalebi Ne Fafda, Ganpati Bappa Aapda” (a Gujarati favourite)
- “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa”
They don’t need to make perfect sense to be fun. Half the joy is just shouting them out together and seeing who can keep a straight face.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Ganesh Chaturthi in Dubai has this lovely way of making a city that’s home to people from everywhere feel a little more like everyone’s home at once. Whether you’re heading to Jebel Ali for that famous 5am aarti, picking up a box of modak on your way to a friend’s place, or simply enjoying the festive buzz from a distance, there’s something for everyone to appreciate this season.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
