Lord Ganesha, son of Goddess Parvati & God Shiva is worshipped as elephant God. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as grand festival mainly in South and western parts of India soon after the monsoon season. 

Here is list of 10 famous Ganesh temples across India, which are a must visit during Ganesh Chaturthi.

1. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

 The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir situated at Prabhadevi, Mumbai is one of the most famous temples in India. Constructed in 1801, the temple was a small structure housing the 2-and-a-half-foot wide black stone idol of Shree Siddhivinayak. On either side of the deity are Riddhi & Siddhi, goddesses signifying sanctity, fulfilment, prosperity and riches. Another stunning feature of Siddhivinayak is that on the forehead of the deity is an eye very similar to the third eye of Lord Shiva. This idol of Ganesha has the tilt of the trunk to the right side, four hands, hence known as Chaturbhuj, holding a lotus in the upper right hand and a small axe in the upper left hand, holy beads in the lower right hand and a bowl full of Modaks in the lower left hand.

2. Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Pune

Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is the most endearing deity and epitome of pride and honour in the city of Pune. It is one of the most highly revered places of worship in India.

This temple is well known for its active engagement in social welfare and cultural development of the devotees through its Trust. The history goes to sat that the deity of Lord Ganesha was first incepted by Shri Dagdusheth Halwai and his wife Lakshmibai soon after they lost their only son to the plague epidemic. Every year, the Ganpati festival is celebrated with deep faith and enthusiasm. 

The Ganpati idolstand 7.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, that is elaborately decorated with precious gold jewelry. It is believed that Lokmanya Tilak, the famous freedom fighter started the Ganesh festival from here.

3. Ganpatipule Temple, Ratnagiri

As per Hindu mythology, while all Hindu Gods face the east it is Ganpatipule, the idol faces the west, guarding the west. This temple has almost a 400-year-old Ganpati idol and is believed that the idol naturally evolved. The idol is believed to be not human-made. The temple receives the gets the first rays of sunlight all through February to November. 

4. Ganesh Chaturthi in Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Tiruchirappalli

Ucchi Pillayar Temple is situated at the top of Rockfort in Trichy. Cut from rock by the Pallavas; this temple has amazing rock architecture. The temple has a large gopuram, or gateway, which is decorated with sculptures of Hindu Bhagwan’s. The temple has a large courtyard surrounded by a number of shrines, of which the main shrine in the temple is that of Ucchi Pillayar. The shrine is decorated with a number of sculptures of Ganesh. The mythology goes to say that Ganesha disguised himself as a shepherd boy and convinced Vibhishan to keep the idol of Vishnu and an angry Vibhishan unknowingly hits the Lord. The mark is there on the idol’s head.

5. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor

Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple,also known as Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple is located in in the Kanipakam Village of Chittoor District. The Prime deity of this Temple is Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy is a swayambhu or a self-manifested idol. The most interesting belief of this temple’s devotees is that Sri Vinayaka Idol's size is increasing day by day and it will continue to do so until the end of Kaliyuga and thereafter Sri Vinayaka is expected to appear in person. The well from where Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka manifested himself as the idol still exists within the temple premises. The holy water from the well is distributed among the devotees as prasadam. Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated with the annual festival Brahmotsavam. The festival goes on for 21 days. Grand processions are taken out during this time.

6. Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple, Jaipur

Moti Dungri Temple of Lord Ganesha is famous for its divine power, is 250 years old, built around 1761. The Ganesha idol inside the temple is believed to be 500 years old. It is flocked by the visitors and tourists all through the year. The temple is the centre of attraction on festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Janmashtami, Annakut and Paush Bada. Scholars and architects come here to have the flavour of rich cultural heritage of the city. Thousands of devotees participate in the preparation of festivities and pay their regards to God Ganesha. 

7. Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple, Kerala

This Ganesha temple located in Kerala, was built in 1980s by Raghunath Menon. This temple does not have any royal ostentation but is famous for the Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana. The temple also organizes Aanayoottu on the first day of following the month of the Malayalam calendar. Gajapuja occurs once every four years. The temple is so simple and close to the road that pilgrims lovingly call it Roadside Ganapathy.

8. Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple, Chennai

This famous Ganesh temple is located in Besant Nagar in Chennai. It's dedicated to the Hindu elephant God Vinayaka, where the idol of Vinayakar is seen with Siddhi. There is also a small idol that was worshipped initially.  Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, this temple hosts an elaborate music program that attracts pilgrims and music lovers from all over India. 

9. Ganesh Tok Temple, Gangtok

Ganesh Tok is a small temple with a viewpoint in Gangtok, that is situated on top of a hill, This temple as a quaint place has mind-stirring views - the Kanchenjunga hill can be seen in its true form of glory from here. Tourists and pilgrims consider Ganesh Tok a very sacred place. The beautiful greenery and the steep height make the trip good for hikers and trekkers as well.  Colourful flags are tied across the stairs making it stand out. The temple (dedicated to Lord Ganesh) is, however, so small that it can only fit one person at a time.

10. Ranthambore Ganesh Temple, Rajasthan

The oldest 1000-year-old Ganesh temple in India is the Ranthambore Ganesh Temple. According to the history behind this temple, it is said that in 1299 AD, a war took place between King Hammeer and Alauddin Khilji at the Ranthambore fortification. During the war time, they filled their godowns with foods and other necessary things in Ranthambore Fort, where the King dwells. As the war lasted for many years, the stored things in godowns were getting over. King Hammer was a great devotee of God Ganesh. One night when he was sleeping, Lord Ganesh came in his dream and said that all the lacking and problems would be over by tomorrow morning. The next morning, an idol of Lord Ganesh with three eyes (Trinetra) was stamped from one of the walls of the fort. Also, a miracle took place and the war got over while the godowns got filled again. 

In 1300 AD, King Hammer built a temple of Lord Ganesh. He placed the idol of Lord Ganesh, Riddhi Siddhi (his wife) and two sons (Shub Labh) along with the idol of mushak (mouse, his vehicle). It is believed that Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini sought blessings from this temple during their wedding. Every year this temple receives wedding invitations and gifts as all like to seek blessings of Ganesha before starting their new journey. This is the Pratham Ganesha or the Trinetra idol of Hindu religion. 

Celebrated across India; Ganesh Chaturthi witnesses grand celebrations in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Odisha. But the list curated here are the famed temples that celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.