Phuket Hosts Ganesh Chaturthi Festival for the Second Year, Bridging Thai–Indian Culture

Phuket is hosting the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival for the second consecutive year, bringing Hindu religious traditions, Indian cultural performances and Thai hospitality together in a celebration of the cultural links between Thailand and India.

The festival officially opened on September 14, 2026, when the streets of Phuket Old Town became the setting for a colourful procession and cultural programme. The opening ceremony was presided over by Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom and attended by government officials, community leaders and international guests, including representatives of the Indian Embassy.

The festival is organised by the Shrimant Ganpati Temple in Rawai under the theme “Bridge of Faith and Culture.” The programme combines religious ceremonies with music and cultural performances, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about traditions associated with the Hindu celebration.

Festival highlights

Opening parade — September 14

The festival began with a procession carrying Lord Ganesha through Phuket Old Town. Traditional Dhol-Tasha drummers from India accompanied the parade, along with cultural performances along the route.

Religious ceremonies and cultural programme

The programme continues with several important ceremonies:

• September 15: Rishi Panchami prayers and Ganapati Atharvashirsha chanting.

• September 16: Ganesh Yag ceremonies combined with cultural performances.

• September 17: 56 Bhog Seva, featuring an offering of 56 auspicious foods alongside Indian cultural performances.

  
  

Closing ceremony — September 18

The festival will conclude with Ganesh Visarjan, a traditional ritual in which devotees escort the deity from the Rawai temple to the sea. The ceremony symbolises renewal and spiritual release.

The Rawai temple was inspired by Pune’s renowned Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple and serves as a religious centre for Phuket’s Hindu community.

The annual celebration also provides a platform for cultural exchange, bringing Indian religious traditions and performances to one of Phuket’s major cultural settings. Organisers describe the festival as part of the province’s broader multicultural identity and a way to strengthen cultural connections between Thailand and India.