Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant’s residence reflected Goa’s vibrant culture and festive unity. The occasion was graced by the presence of MLAs Michael Lobo and Rodolfo Fernandes, who joined the traditional Ghumat Arti, adding spiritual depth and musical resonance to the event.
As devotional songs echoed through the air and the aroma of traditional offerings filled the space, the celebration stood as a symbol of communal harmony and cultural pride. The participation of leaders from across the political spectrum in the festivities underscored a sense of shared heritage and respect for Goa’s deeply rooted traditions.
The Ghumat, a traditional Goan percussion instrument, played a central role in the Arti, as attendees gathered in reverence to Lord Ganesha. The presence of prominent leaders highlighted the unifying spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi, reinforcing the significance of preserving and participating in cultural practices.
This year’s celebration not only paid homage to religious faith but also echoed the values of unity, devotion, and Goan identity.
Panaji, August 2025: As Goa prepares to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s lifesaving agency, Drishti Marine, has announced its deployment strategy to ensure safe idol immersions across the coastal state.
A total of 47 visarjan points — including 35 beaches and 12 inland water bodies — will be manned by trained lifesavers on all designated immersion days: August 28, 31 and September 2, 4, 6, and 17 (21st day visarjan). The deployment is part of a coordinated effort with the state government to manage public safety and support law and order during one of Goa’s most widely celebrated festivals. Lifesaving teams will be present at immersion points with known risks due to strong sea currents or limited visibility at night. These lifesavers will guide families through the immersion process, helping carry idols into the water where required and preventing accidents in high-risk zones.
“Safety is our priority,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine. “Our lifesavers will be present late into the night to ensure that the immersion process is smooth and safe. Since the sea is still officially closed for swimming during this period, we urge everyone to follow lifesaver instructions and avoid venturing into rough waters.”
Key Deployment Points Some of the major beach locations include Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Benaulim, Palolem, Morjim, Vagator, and Baga. Inland locations like Mapusa Tar, Panaji ferry point, Cumbarjua ferry, and Aldona pond will also have lifesavers posted in coordination with local panchayats and public organisations.
Prepared for Emergencies Drishti Marine has also arranged standby teams and support vehicles for quick response in case of emergency. Each site will have between two to six lifesavers, depending on the crowd size and the location’s risk profile.
Public Advisory The agency has issued a reminder for families to:
Use only designated entry points for immersion
Follow all instructions from lifesavers
Closely monitor children, especially after dark
Avoid non-designated or risky areas, no matter how shallow the water appears
As thousands gather to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, Drishti Marine’s lifesavers will remain a steady and watchful presence — ensuring that the spirit of celebration continues safely across Goa’s coasts and water bodies.
Canacona, Goa: The spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi filled the air at Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya High School as students from the primary, high school, and higher secondary sections came together to celebrate one of India’s most beloved festivals with grandeur, devotion, and cultural pride.
The campus was abuzz with activities ranging from traditional performances to creative competitions. Students showcased their talent through mesmerizing Ghumat Aarti presentations and an energetic Ganesh dance, captivating audiences and reviving age-old Goan traditions.
In keeping with the festive spirit, the school organized a variety of competitions across junior and senior categories. These included:
Lord Ganesh Clay Idol Making
Ganesh Poster Painting
Chaturthi Special Homemade Sweet-Making
These competitions were generously sponsored by the Char Rasta Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Char Rasta, Canacona, who continue to encourage youth involvement in cultural heritage.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from all levels of schooling, with students turning out in large numbers and impressing judges with their creativity and devotion. A special prize distribution ceremony honored the winners and participants. Prizes were awarded by Chief Guest Shri Babuso Naik Gaonkar, President of the CPI General Assembly, and Guest of Honour Shri RBS Komarpant, Treasurer of the CPI Managing Committee.
The event also saw the active presence of:
Mrs. Varsha Naik Gaonkar, Headmaster of the High School
Mrs. Varsha Naik, Headmaster of the Primary Section
Mr. Vihar Dessai, Principal of the Higher Secondary Section
The celebrations were meticulously coordinated by school teachers Mr. Manoj Naik Gaonkar and Mr. Amol Pagi, whose dedication ensured that the event ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all.
Through such festivals, Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya continues to instill cultural values, creative expression, and community spirit among its students.
As Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations begin to light up homes and hearts across Maharashtra, regional airline FLY91 is stepping up to ensure smooth travel for thousands. The Goa-based airline has announced additional flights on its increasingly popular Pune-Sindhudurg-Pune route to cater to the sharp spike in passenger demand during the festive period.
The new flights will operate on August 24, 29, 31, and September 5 and 7, offering greater flexibility and travel options for families heading back to their native places for the Ganpati festivities.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is a special time for our customers, with many travelling to be with family and friends,” said Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91. “By adding extra flights on our Pune-Sindhudurg-Pune route, we aim to give passengers greater flexibility and more options during this festive period.”
Ganesh Chaturthi, one of Maharashtra’s biggest festivals, sees a massive influx of travelers from cities back to their hometowns. Sindhudurg, known for its rich cultural heritage and coastal beauty, becomes a key travel hub during this time.
This move follows FLY91’s earlier additions to its schedule during the Independence Day long weekend, where it added flights on August 14, 15, and 18 on both the Pune-Goa-Pune and Pune-Sindhudurg-Pune sectors. These strategic enhancements underscore the airline’s agility in responding to peak travel demands.
Headquartered in Goa, FLY91 is focused on enhancing regional connectivity, especially linking tier 2 and tier 3 cities. With eight domestic destinations currently in its network, the airline connects four key cities in Maharashtra alone: Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Solapur, and Pune.
As the beats of dhol echo through the streets and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” fill the air, kitchens across Maharashtra begin their most cherished ritual of Ganesh Chaturthi — making Ukdiche Modak.
A delicacy deeply embedded in Maharashtrian tradition, Ukdiche Modak is a soft, steamed sweet dumpling made as Naivedya (offering) to Lord Ganesha, who is believed to have a special fondness for this treat.
What Makes It Special?
The term “Ukdiche” translates to “steamed,” and Modak means “sweet dumpling.” This divine preparation features a delicate rice flour shell that encases a gooey, flavorful mixture of freshly grated coconut and jaggery, often flavored with cardamom and enriched with poppy seeds or dry fruits.
Making modaks is more than cooking — it’s an act of devotion, a family ritual, and a prayer in the form of food.
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 10–12 Modaks)
For the outer dough:
Rice flour – 1 cup
Water – 1¼ cups
Ghee – 1 tsp
Salt – a pinch
For the filling (Saran):
Grated fresh coconut – 1 cup
Grated jaggery – ¾ cup
Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
Poppy seeds (optional) – 1 tsp
Cashews or raisins (optional) – a few pieces
👩🍳 Preparation Steps
Step 1: The Filling (Saran)
Heat a pan and toast the grated coconut.
Add jaggery and stir until melted and combined.
Mix in cardamom and optional ingredients.
Cook for 4–5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: The Dough
In a pan, bring water, salt, and ghee to boil.
Add rice flour slowly while stirring.
Mix well, cover, and steam for 2–3 minutes.
Transfer to a plate and knead into a soft, smooth dough while warm.
Step 3: Shaping the Modaks
Grease palms with ghee.
Form small cups from dough balls.
Fill with 1–2 tsp of filling, pinch to close at the top in a modak shape.
Step 4: Steaming
Place on a greased plate or banana leaf in a steamer.
Steam for 10–12 minutes.
Brush with ghee before serving.
🍽️ Serving the Modaks
Serve warm after offering them to Lord Ganesha. The soft rice shell and warm, melt-in-the-mouth filling make it a divine experience. Best enjoyed fresh with family during the pooja.
🌸 More Than Just a Sweet
Ukdiche Modak is a culinary embodiment of faith and celebration. It connects generations through the shared joy of preparation and prayer. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the aroma of steamed modaks becomes a signal of joy, togetherness, and blessings.
May your modaks be soft, your fillings be sweet, and your home be filled with the divine presence of Bappa this festive season.
