The Cairns Hindu community gathered for Ganeshotsav 2026 on Saturday, 19 September, bringing families, community leaders and supporters together for prayers, cultural performances, food and community activities.
Hosted by Cairns Hindu Samaj at the Performing Arts Hall at Edge Hill State School, the celebration included Ganesh Puja, Maha Aarti, cultural performances and a shared Mahaprasad lunch.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden, Member for Mulgrave Terry James MP and Cairns Regional Councillor Cathy Zeiger were among the local representatives attending the event.
The celebration also featured a Laddoo Auction, with a 2kg prasad laddoo selling for $2,100 to a local family. Cairns Hindu Samaj thanked Nirjhar, Mridula and their family for their participation and support.
Ganeshotsav gave families an opportunity to take part in Hindu religious and cultural traditions, while providing children and younger community members with a chance to experience those practices in a community setting.
Cairns Hindu Samaj was established in 2019 and works to support the Hindu community across Cairns and the surrounding Hinterland. The organisation is also pursuing plans for a permanent Hindu temple and cultural precinct in Far North Queensland.
The event received $7,500 through the Cairns Regional Council Community Partnerships Grants 2026 funding round. Council listed Ganeshotsav among the cultural celebrations contributing to the region’s diverse community events.
Organisers said the event relied on contributions from sponsors, Yajmans, Panditji, performers, volunteers, committee members, food and prasad teams, photographers and other supporters.
A technical issue caused some delays to the cultural program and Prasad lunch, with organisers thanking attendees for their patience while the issue was addressed.
The celebration continued with prayers, performances, the laddoo auction and Mahaprasad, bringing the community together despite the disruption.
For the Cairns Hindu community, Ganeshotsav provided an opportunity to celebrate the festival while sharing aspects of Hindu culture with the wider Cairns community. It also gave families a setting to pass cultural and religious traditions on to younger generations.
Cairns Hindu Samaj thanked everyone involved in organising and supporting the celebration.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
