Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: 4 Famous Ganesha Temples Around the World
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is set to bring homes, streets and temples alive with celebrations as devotees welcome Lord Ganesha with prayers, flowers, music and traditional sweets. While the festival is deeply associated with India, particularly Maharashtra, the devotion to Ganapati extends far beyond the country. From Bangkok and New York to the Netherlands and Seychelles, Ganesha temples reflect the deity's growing global cultural presence.
Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 14, 2026, with the 10-day celebrations ending on September 25 with Anant Chaturdashi. For Indian communities living overseas, the festival is also an opportunity to preserve traditions and introduce local communities to Hindu customs. Here are four notable Ganesha temples around the world that highlight the global reach of Ganapati worship.
A shrine dedicated to Ganesha can be found within Devasathan, a historic Hindu temple complex in Bangkok. The site offers an interesting glimpse into the long-standing connections between Hindu traditions and Thai culture.
The temple is particularly interesting for visitors because it demonstrates how Ganesha is revered outside traditional Hindu communities as a symbol of prosperity, achievement and creative energy.
The Sri Varatharajah Selvavinayagar Temple was established in 1991 by Sri Lankan Tamil devotees. The temple describes itself as the oldest Ganesha temple in the Netherlands and has developed into an important centre for the local Hindu community.
Beyond daily worship, the temple is supported by volunteers and serves as a space for cultural and educational activities. Its story also reflects the role of migrant communities in carrying religious traditions across borders and establishing new cultural roots in Europe.
Located near the centre of Victoria, the Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is dedicated to Lord Vinayagar, another popular name for Ganesha. The temple stands out for its vibrant Dravidian-style gopuram, which creates a striking contrast with the lush tropical surroundings.
Built in 1992, the temple is described as the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. It has become an important part of the country's Indian cultural heritage, giving devotees and visitors a chance to experience South Indian religious traditions in an island setting.
For travellers exploring Victoria, the temple provides a cultural experience that goes beyond Seychelles' famous beaches and natural attractions.
The temple is operated by the Hindu Temple Society of North America. Its history goes back to 1970, while the present temple building was completed and consecrated in 1977.
The temple was constructed following principles described in the Agama Shastras, traditional Hindu scriptures that include guidelines for temple architecture and construction. Its presence in Queens reflects the growth of Hindu communities in the United States and the efforts made to maintain traditional forms of worship far from India.
Today, the temple is an important spiritual and cultural destination for devotees as well as visitors interested in Hindu architecture and traditions.
From a historic Hindu complex in Bangkok to a tropical temple in Seychelles and a major Hindu temple in New York, these places offer a fascinating reminder that Ganesha worship is now a global cultural phenomenon.
As Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 approaches, these temples also highlight how Indian and Hindu traditions continue to thrive, evolve and find new homes around the world.
Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 14, 2026, with the 10-day celebrations ending on September 25 with Anant Chaturdashi. For Indian communities living overseas, the festival is also an opportunity to preserve traditions and introduce local communities to Hindu customs. Here are four notable Ganesha temples around the world that highlight the global reach of Ganapati worship.
1. Ganesh Temple at Devasathan, Bangkok
Thailand may be famous for its Buddhist temples, but Lord Ganesha also has a strong presence in the country's cultural landscape. In Thailand, the deity is widely known as Phra Phikanet and is associated with success, creativity, the arts, business and overcoming obstacles.A shrine dedicated to Ganesha can be found within Devasathan, a historic Hindu temple complex in Bangkok. The site offers an interesting glimpse into the long-standing connections between Hindu traditions and Thai culture.
The temple is particularly interesting for visitors because it demonstrates how Ganesha is revered outside traditional Hindu communities as a symbol of prosperity, achievement and creative energy.
2. Sri Varatharajah Selvavinayagar Temple, Netherlands
A Ganesha temple in the Netherlands might come as a surprise to many travellers, but the northern Dutch town of Den Helder is home to an important Hindu place of worship.The Sri Varatharajah Selvavinayagar Temple was established in 1991 by Sri Lankan Tamil devotees. The temple describes itself as the oldest Ganesha temple in the Netherlands and has developed into an important centre for the local Hindu community.
Beyond daily worship, the temple is supported by volunteers and serves as a space for cultural and educational activities. Its story also reflects the role of migrant communities in carrying religious traditions across borders and establishing new cultural roots in Europe.
3. Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple, Seychelles
The tropical setting of Seychelles might seem worlds away from the traditional temple towns of South India, yet the island nation has its own distinctive Ganesha shrine.Located near the centre of Victoria, the Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is dedicated to Lord Vinayagar, another popular name for Ganesha. The temple stands out for its vibrant Dravidian-style gopuram, which creates a striking contrast with the lush tropical surroundings.
Built in 1992, the temple is described as the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. It has become an important part of the country's Indian cultural heritage, giving devotees and visitors a chance to experience South Indian religious traditions in an island setting.
For travellers exploring Victoria, the temple provides a cultural experience that goes beyond Seychelles' famous beaches and natural attractions.
4. Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, New York
New York's Queens borough is home to one of the most prominent traditional Hindu temples in the United States — the Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, popularly known as the Flushing Ganesh Temple.The temple is operated by the Hindu Temple Society of North America. Its history goes back to 1970, while the present temple building was completed and consecrated in 1977.
The temple was constructed following principles described in the Agama Shastras, traditional Hindu scriptures that include guidelines for temple architecture and construction. Its presence in Queens reflects the growth of Hindu communities in the United States and the efforts made to maintain traditional forms of worship far from India.
Today, the temple is an important spiritual and cultural destination for devotees as well as visitors interested in Hindu architecture and traditions.
Ganesha Worship Has Truly Crossed Borders
The story of these four temples shows how the worship of Lord Ganesha has travelled alongside communities across continents. Although the architecture, surroundings and local traditions may differ, the central symbolism of Ganesha — wisdom, prosperity, success and the removal of obstacles - remains widely recognised.From a historic Hindu complex in Bangkok to a tropical temple in Seychelles and a major Hindu temple in New York, these places offer a fascinating reminder that Ganesha worship is now a global cultural phenomenon.
As Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 approaches, these temples also highlight how Indian and Hindu traditions continue to thrive, evolve and find new homes around the world.
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