Although this festival is observed all over the country, the maximum fervour is witnessed in Maharashtra, where it is also celebrated publicly. The large-scale public celebrations were started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak during the British Raj to propagate a feeling of togetherness.

Cultural activities are held in public places where huge idols, sometimes 15-20 feet tall, are erected. In some cities, the celebrations go on for more than a month.

On the day of the visarjan (immersion), huge processions of people carry the idol to a river, lake or ocean, among fervid shouts of Ganapathi Bappa Morya, a chant popular in Maharashtra.

The festival is also significant in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

In Karnataka, the day before Ganesh Chaturthi is assigned for Gowri Puja, when Ganesha's mother, Goddess Gowri or Parvati, is worshipped. The day is especially auspicious to married women, who pray to the Goddess for lasting marital bliss.

In Ahmedabad too thousands flock to river Sabarmati and the Kankaria lake, with idols of Lord Ganesh. Offerings are made to Lord Ganesh at numerous temples. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and Ganeshji is fervently worshipped for about 7-10 days.On the day of the Chaturthi, i.e. the last of the days dedicated to the god ,shrines are erected, firecrackers let off, huge images of Ganeshji are carried in grand procession for 'Ganesh Visarjan' accompanied by the sound of devotional songs and drums.

In Rajasthan, on Ganesh Chaturthi, an image of Ganesh bathed in red kumkum with a garland of red flowers is installed by many households right outside their entrances.

A small thaal with haldi and kumkum is also placed at the entrance so that people who come visiting take a pinch of each and put it on their foreheads and throat. A kilo of ladoos are usually kept in the house and after offering them to Ganeshji they are offered as prasad to whoever visits.