Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava Returns with its 63rd Edition: A Grand Celebration of Devotion, Music, Food & Culture
- 63rd edition blends heritage, music legends, contemporary stars, and culture
- Crazy Star Ravichandran, Vijay Prakash, Raghu Dixit, Rajesh Krishnan, Vijay Yesudas and More to Light Up the 63rd Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava
- 11 Days • 2 Venues • 50+ Artists • 1 Spirit of Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Thursday, August 21, 2025: The much loved and eagerly awaited Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava (BGU), organized by Sri Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha, enters its 63rd year of celebration this month. Spanning from August 27th to September 6th, 2025, the festival will once again bring together the city in a joyous blend of devotion, music, art, food, and culture. Over the years, BGU has transformed into one of South India’s most significant cultural festivals, attracting thousands who come to revel in its unique combination of spiritual fervour and artistic brilliance.
This year’s edition promises to be a grand cultural pilgrimage, with 11 days of enchanting performances across APS College Grounds and National College Grounds in Basavanagudi. The line-up includes soulful Bhakti Sangeetha concerts by acclaimed singers such as M.D. Pallavi, Lakshmi & Indu Nagaraj, Soorya Gayathri, Sunitha Upadrishta, Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, Vinay Varanasi and child prodigy Ganga Sasidharan.
In addition to devotional renditions, the festival celebrates Bengaluru’s modern, youthful energy with spectacular performances:
- Crazy Star Ravichandran, one of Kannada cinema’s most charismatic personalities, will engage audiences in a special conversation with Mayuraa Raghavendra alongside music by Manju Drums Collective. Known for his flamboyance and creativity, Ravichandran’s presence adds star power to the Utsava.
- Vijay Prakash, one of India’s most versatile playback singers and a Grammy Award winner, is known for his soulful voice that traverses classical, film, and contemporary music with equal ease. His concert at BGU is certain to enthral audiences across generations.
- Raghu Dixit, the celebrated folk-rock star and global cultural ambassador of Indian music, blends Kannada folk with international sounds to create a powerful, high-energy experience. His appearance promises an electric evening at the National College Grounds.
- D. Pallavi, singer, actor, and cultural icon of Karnataka, is admired for her evocative voice and her ability to merge traditional and contemporary music. Her devotional concert will set the perfect spiritual tone as the festival begins.
- Rajesh Krishnan, a much-loved playback singer in Kannada cinema, is known for his melodious voice that has graced countless hit songs. His film musical night will be one of the festival’s most nostalgic and heartwarming evenings.
- Praveen Godkhindi, internationally acclaimed flautist and pioneer of fusion music, has redefined the boundaries of the bansuri through his innovative experiments. His performance with the Krishna Fusion Band, Flute Rocks, will be a highlight of BGU 2025.
- Vijay Yesudas, award-winning playback singer and son of the legendary K.J. Yesudas, carries forward his father’s rich musical legacy while carving out his own identity in the world of film and classical music. Known for his soulful renditions in multiple languages, his performance at BGU will be both a tribute to tradition and a treat for contemporary music lovers.
Adding to the cultural richness are thematic ensembles and dance productions: Kashi Damaru by Pandit Jagadeesh D. Kurthikoti & troupe, Bhakti Janapada Sangeetha by Savithakka Halli Band, and Gajamukham – a dance and music narrative by Vinay Varnasai depicting the mystical stories of Lord Ganesha’s appearance.
The festival will also witness a spiritually uplifting mass event on August 31st, 2025, when thousands of women will unite in a collective rendition of the Ganesha Pancharatna shlokas, beginning from APS College and culminating at Gandhi Bazaar circle via DVG Road. This unique offering reflects BGU’s essence – a blend of devotion, culture, and community spirit.
Beyond music, the festival is a paradise for food lovers with its celebrated Food Utsava – “Aromas of Karnataka”, running throughout the 10 days. Visitors can indulge in authentic and mouth-watering dishes representing the diversity of Karnataka’s North, South, Coastal, and Eastern regions.
Staying true to its eco-friendly philosophy, the festival continues to be a plastic-free celebration, with mantapa designs created from recyclable materials, and the reusable idol of Lord Ganesha accompanied by a symbolic clay idol immersion.
The grand finale will be the Ganapati Visarjane procession on September 6th, 2025, a vibrant journey through Basavanagudi that marks the emotional and devotional climax of the celebrations.
Speaking about the 63rd edition, Mr. Nandish S.M., Managing Trustee of Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, said, “The Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava has always stood at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. This year’s line-up brings together legends of music, youthful performers, devotional gatherings, and cultural innovation. We look forward to welcoming devotees and art lovers to celebrate the spirit of Ganesha in the heart of Bengaluru.”
Entry to all programs is free, making BGU 2025 a festival for everyone — where devotion meets celebration, and tradition meets tomorrow.
For more information about the festival, please visit: www.bgu.co.in
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