Seven Days, One Family: Ganesh Puja 2026 at Renaissance Park
Every evening for a week, one garage in Renaissance Park, Aurora glowed with lamps, echoed with bhajans, and overflowed with neighbors. For the fifth year running, the Aurora Indian community celebrated Ganesh Puja, and the tradition that started with few family’s in 2022 has grown into the biggest event on the community calendar. 
The host family transformed their garage into a beautiful pandal, a canopy of roses overhead, a wall of pink blossoms, and golden bells swaying above the idol. Here Lord Ganesha was worshipped for 7 days with bhajans and aarti. Each night a different family took over the kitchen, serving a dinner of 9-10 items.
Highlights of the week
Bhajans that grew stronger each evening, peaking with the ladies’ group chanting of Lalitha Sahasranamam, a moment that left the whole gathering in peaceful silence
Dance performances by the kids, many young performers in all
Daily Prasadam served smoothly to [number] guests a night
A grand finale with Maha Prasad and the laddu auction, with a bid.
The ladies were the heart of it all
They went above and beyond, cooking fresh food every single day
They coached the children and shaped their performances for the community program
Their energy carried the celebration from the first aarti to the last
A true community effort
The host family opened their home for all seven days
Volunteers quietly handled everything from bhajans and serving to crowd management and cleaning
Five years in, Ganesh Puja at Renaissance Park is more than a festival. It is what makes a neighborhood feel like family.
Ganpati Bappa Morya! 
