About us
Berlin's grandest celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Bringing together the community to celebrate with joy, devotion, and cultural richness — Europe's first eleven-day public Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, run by volunteers.
About Ganeshotsav Berlin
Preserving cultural heritage and fostering unity.
A heartfelt expression of community spirit and cultural unity that transcends organisational boundaries, bringing the sacred traditions of Ganeshotsav to the heart of Europe.
How we got here
Seven years, one street.
2019
One day, at the temple
Marathi Mitra Berlin organised a one-day cultural celebration at Shri Ganesha Hindu Temple for Ganesh Chaturthi — and Berlin heard its first dhol-tasha performance, courtesy of Ramanbaug Yuva Manch Germany.
2021
Out into the street
The celebration moved from inside the temple to the street outside. What had been a small ritual became a public event, and the wider community started to show up.
2022
Kasba Ganpati arrives
A replica of Shri Kasba Ganpati travelled from Pune to Berlin for the first time — connecting the oldest Ganpati in Pune with a new home in Europe. The ten-day format began.
2023 onwards
Europe's ten-day Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav
Twice-daily aarti, cultural performances every evening, Marathi food, and the Grand Visarjan Miravnuk to close. The first festival of its kind in Europe, and now an annual fixture.
The four organisations behind it
Nothing here is done alone.
Shri Ganesha Hindu Temple e.V.
Host temple and spiritual anchor in Berlin.
Visit siteMarathi Mitra Berlin e.V.
The Marathi community in Berlin. Started the celebration in 2019.
Visit siteShri Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
Pune's oldest mandal (est. 1893). Provides the idol and blessings every year.
Visit siteRamanbaug Yuva Manch Germany e.V.
The dhol-tasha and lezim pathaks. Coordinates the Pune–Berlin partnership.
Visit site
Our vision
Four commitments guiding the festival.
01
Support for Sri Ganesha Hindu Tempel Berlin
Raise international awareness and secure community support for the temple's development and growth.
02
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Celebrate Ganeshotsav in its traditional grandeur, ensuring its sanctity and transmission to future generations.
03
Promotion of Maharashtrian Folk Arts
Introduce and showcase Dhol-Tasha and Lezim in Europe, enriching appreciation for Indian folk traditions.
04
Cross-Cultural Engagement
Foster inclusivity by involving diverse communities in celebrations, encouraging dialogue and mutual respect.
Our journey
From a one-day event to eleven days on the street.
Ganeshotsav Berlin, Europe's first eleven-day Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, officially began in 2022 as a joint initiative by four organisations: Marathi Mitra Berlin e.V., Ramanbaug Yuva Manch Germany e.V., Sri Ganesha Hindu Tempel e.V., and Shri Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Pune.
Its roots go back to 2019, when a one-day celebration and dhol-tasha performance planted the seed. In 2022 the event evolved into a full eleven-day public festival — through equal collaboration, community trust, and a shared cultural vision.
Historical significance
A replica of Shri Kasba Ganpati, brought overseas for the first time in many years.
In 2022, for the first time in many years, a replica of the revered Shri Kasba Ganpati idol was brought overseas to Berlin — marking the inception of Europe's first eleven-day Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav. A dignified expression of India's spiritual heritage on the global stage, blessed with profound sanctity and growing Indian community participation.
Frequently asked
Things people ask about the festival.
- What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
- A ten-day Hindu festival honouring Lord Ganesh — the elephant-headed deity of new beginnings, wisdom, and the remover of obstacles. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Maharashtra and increasingly across the diaspora.
- When is Ganeshotsav Berlin 2026?
- September 14-26, 2026. Opening on Monday, September 14, 2026, closing with the Grand Visarjan Miravnuk on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
- What is Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav?
- A public form of the festival that Lokmanya Tilak popularised in Pune in 1893. The idea is that everyone in the neighbourhood — regardless of caste, class, or religion — comes together to celebrate in the open, not just in private family shrines.
- Do I need to be Hindu to attend?
- No. The festival is open to everyone. Many of our regulars are non-Hindu Berliners who come for the music, the food, and the community.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Entry is free every day. Food and prasad are available. Donations keep the festival running.
- How can I help?
- Volunteer. Applications open every spring and close on 1 August. There is a team for almost anything you're good at.