Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas kicked off its 14-day Ganesh Mahotsav on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1450 N. Watters Road in Allen. The festival runs through Friday, Sept. 25, with daily worship, family activities and cultural programs.

The temple calls the celebration "Dallas Ke Raja," according to its event page. Registration is required for workshops and poojas.

The opening-day workshop invites children to shape their own Ganesh idols from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The formal Ganesh Sthapana, the ceremonial welcoming of the deity, follows Monday, Sept. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with group pooja, archana and Maha Aarti.

Each evening through the festival's run brings a different ritual. Highlights include a Pushpa Archana flower offering on Tuesday, Sept. 15, a Mool Moorti Maha Ganesh Abhishek on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and a Ganesh Maha Pooja on Thursday, Sept. 17. All three begin at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19, is Modak Day. A havan, a Modak Making Competition and Modak Archana run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The temple's blog describes the competition as a chance for families to share recipes across generations. Food vendors will be on-site during major events.

The second week continues with nightly ceremonies at 6:30 p.m., including a family Shiv and Ganesh Abhishek in the Prayer Hall on Monday, Sept. 21, and a Kesar Panchamrit Abhishek on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Thursday, Sept. 24, features a Ganesh Pooja led by Hemant ji and Sudhir bhai.

The grand finale arrives Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. with a 20-minute cultural program, group pooja and the Ganesh Visarjan immersion ceremony. Devotees are invited to bring their own idols for the communal farewell. The temple's blog post describes the Visarjan as one of the most emotionally meaningful moments of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Seva sponsorship tiers range from $51 for a Ganesh Abhishek to $2,501 for a Grand Sponsor package, with several levels in between. Volunteer opportunities include welcoming families, arranging footwear and helping children during events.

The Ganesh Mahotsav is a separate celebration from the temple's Janmashtami Mahotsav, which ran Sept. 3–6. Vendor applications for the festival are open through the temple's website.

Coming up: Ganesh Sthapana, Monday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Modak Day, Saturday, Sept. 19, 5 p.m. Ganesh Visarjan, Friday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m. All events at 1450 N. Watters Road, Allen.