Bangkok: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad Association Thailand (VHP Thailand) successfully concluded its 19th Ganesha Mahotsav in Bangkok on Sunday, 20 September 2026, following two days of prayer, devotion, music, dance and cultural celebrations that brought together the Indian, Thai and wider international communities.
Held at the Nimibutr Building, National Stadium, Bangkok, the annual Mahotsav once again provided a vibrant platform for people of different communities and nationalities to come together in an atmosphere of devotion, friendship and cultural harmony. The celebrations were open to the public and attracted devotees and visitors from across Bangkok. The event was also reported as a celebration bringing together Thai, Indian and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Over the years, the Bangkok Ganesha Mahotsav has also become an important cultural bridge between the Thai and Indian communities.
The 19th Mahotsav was inaugurated with the traditional Sthapana Puja of Lord Ganesha, followed by a full programme of religious, cultural and community activities. The festivities featured devotional music, traditional performances and a variety of cultural presentations celebrating the rich heritage of India and the deep cultural connections between India and Thailand. This year saw devotional performances by Thai artistes.
Susheel Saraff, Trustee of VHP Thailand said. “As we invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha—the remover of obstacles, the bestower of wisdom, knowledge and auspicious beginnings—we are reminded that our celebrations are not merely rituals or traditions. They are a living expression of our values, our heritage and our shared humanity. What makes this occasion especially meaningful is that we celebrate it here in Thailand, a land with which India shares bonds of friendship and cultural exchange that extend back many centuries.”
Vaishali Tushar Urumkar, President of VHP Thailand said, “Every year, when we come together to welcome Bappa (Ganesha), I feel that it’s not just a celebration. It’s a beautiful occasion that unites all of us—where we bring together our culture, tradition, devotion, and affinity. Bappa is our remover of obstacles and giver of wisdom. My heartfelt prayer is that he continues to shower his blessings on all our families, bestow good values and wisdom upon our children, and fill our lives with happiness, peace, and prosperity.”
The Chief Guest was H.E. Mr. Puneet Agarwal, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand, whose presence added special significance to the occasion. He noted, “Across this beautiful country (Thailand), Ganesha—known here as Phra Phikanet or Phra Phikanesuan—is revered as the God of Success, Arts, and Learning. His presence is visible not only in temples but also in universities, cultural institutions, and even in the creative industries. This shared devotion is a reminder that Bharat and Thailand are connected not just by geography, but by civilizational warmth, cultural harmony, and spiritual continuity.”
The celebrations were honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests from the diplomatic, governmental, academic, tourism and business communities
- Mr. Sompong Kaewjaroenpisan, Vice President, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
- Mr Sai Ram Mishra, Bangkok Metropolitan Councillor, Sathon District
- Mr. Apirat Thaweesub, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Mr. Alan Lim, Advisor, Board of Trade of Thailand
- Mr. Kim Jong Min, Advisor, Board of Trade of Thailand
- Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, Advisor to the Board of Directors, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
Their participation reflected the broad relationships that VHP Thailand has developed with Thai institutions and the wider community and underscored the role of cultural events in strengthening friendship and understanding between people.
For VHP Thailand, the Ganesha Mahotsav, now in its 19th reiteration is more than a religious celebration. It is an occasion to bring people together through faith, culture, music, art and community participation.
Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the embodiment of wisdom, auspiciousness and new beginnings, holds a special place in the Hindu tradition. The festival provides an opportunity for families and younger generations in particular to experience and participate in India’s living cultural traditions.
Grand Visarjan Took Place on September 20
On the 20th of September, a Havan was conducted with full Vedic rites by devotees with devotion and discipline. A beautifully decorated procession carrying the idol of Lord Ganesha moved from the Nimibutr Building, National Stadium, through the designated route, accompanied by devotional chants, music and dancing by enthusiastic devotees. The procession culminated in the sacred Visarjan ceremony, symbolising the return of Lord Ganesha to His divine abode.
In the Hindu understanding, Visarjan is not simply a farewell but a reminder of the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution—and of the faith that what is truly divine remains with us even after the physical form has departed.
The procession brought together people of different ages and nationalities in a joyous expression of devotion and community spirit. Contemporary reporting noted that the event was expected to attract up to approximately 5,000 participants, including Thai, Indian and other international communities.
The VHP Thailand spokesperson said that the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing this annual celebration and to nurturing the bonds of friendship, respect and cultural understanding between the peoples of India and Thailand, and was particularly encouraged by the participation of young people and members of the wider Thai community, adding that the Mahotsav demonstrates how cultural traditions can become a powerful means of bringing communities together.
