Puttur, 16 September 2026: 60th annual Sarvajanika Sri Ganeshotsava organised by Sarvajanika Sri Ganeshotsava Committee at the premises of Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Puttur commenced on September 14 with the installation of the idol of Lord Ganesha.
Idol installation ceremony was held under the guidance of Brahmasri Kuntaru Ravisha Tantri, with Brahmasri Kuntaru Gurutantri performing the idol installation rituals. Later in the afternoon, Brahmasri Kuntaru Ravisha Tantri conducted the Mahapuja.
Before the ceremony, members of the Ganeshotsava Committee offered prayers at Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. Idol was then installed at a large temporary pavilion set up in the field in front of the temple.
Bhagwadhwaja hoisted
Following the idol installation, senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteer Vittaldas Hegde Parladka hoisted the Bhagwadhwaja near the programme venue, formally marking the beginning of the various Ganeshotsava activities.
Ganeshotsava Committee honorary president Dr. M.K. Prasad presided over the inaugural programme. Working president Radhakrishna Nandila and general secretary Ashok Kumble were among those present. Several committee office-bearers, social workers, volunteers and devotees also participated in the programme.
During the idol installation, committee working president Radhakrishna Nandila and his wife participated in the sankalpa. Dayananda A. and his wife participated in the sankalpa during the Ganapati Homa.
Religious and cultural programmes
Celebrations featured a series of religious and cultural programmes throughout the day. Following the inauguration, a classical music programme was presented by Kum. Punya Nandila and Kum. Sinchana, disciples of Vidwan Kanchan Eshwar Bhat. They were accompanied by T. Ram on violin and Praptha on mridangam.
A Ganapati Homa, Mahapuja and prasada distribution were held as part of the celebrations, along with a bhajan programme. A public Annasantarpane was organised in the afternoon, with thousands of devotees participating in the community meal. A women's Yakshagana performance was also held.
In the evening, students at Vivekananda English Medium School, Tenkila presented a cultural programme. Day's celebrations concluded with Rangapuja and Mahamangalarathi, followed by a dance programme titled ‘Dance and Beats’, presented by students from Bellare and other branches.
Organisers and participants
Programme was attended by Ganeshotsava Committee vice-presidents Vishwanath Gowda Bannur, Sudhir Shetty and Satish Stock, joint secretary Neelath Boluvaru, treasurer Srinivasa Moolya, Sharada Bhajana Mandir president Seetharam Rai Kedambadiguttu, and several other committee members and devotees.
Representatives and members associated with various organisations were also present during the celebrations. Senior committee member Vidya Gowri welcomed the gathering, while Chandrashekar Patali proposed the vote of thanks. Committee member Rajesh Bannur compered the programme.
60th edition of the public Ganeshotsava continues with religious and cultural programmes, bringing devotees and the local community together at the Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple premises in Puttur.
Keywords: Puttur Ganeshotsava, 60th Ganeshotsava Puttur, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur Ganeshotsava 2026, Ganeshotsava celebrations, Puttur news Today, Citizen News Puttur