The air in Phuket usually carries the scent of salt and frangipani. But in September 2025, it was filled with the chorus of the echoing "Ganpati Bappa Morya!" and the rhythmic playing of the dhol. It was a breathtaking blend of religion & different cultures.
Vietjet Air transformed Thailand’s stunning island, Phuket, into a vibrant Hindu worship place. They hosted the vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 2025 at the Lord Shrimant Ganpati Bappa Devalai. It wasn't just a religious event, but a unique cultural event. It showed how an airline company can connect countries, cultures, and people.
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of wisdom and prosperity. The festival is celebrated with deep devotion across India and in many parts of the world.
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Devotees adorn Lord Ganesha with flowers, sweets, and heartfelt prayers.
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Idols of the deity are crafted, beautifully decorated, and placed in homes or public spaces.
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Worshippers believe that the blessings received bring wisdom, success, and happiness.
In recent years, Ganesh Chaturthi has transcended borders, with celebrations in cities like London, New York, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. Adding to this global map of cultural celebrations, Phuket has now joined in, embracing the spirit of this grand festival.
Beyond the Aircraft: An Airline’s Cultural Vision
Vietjet Air, one of Southeast Asia’s leading carriers, has gone beyond its regular routes to connect with communities in a more meaningful way. Through its Ganesh Chaturthi campaign, the airline showcased not only its services but also its spirit of celebration and togetherness.
Since Ganesh Chaturthi brings millions of Indians together, both at home and across the world, Vietjet Air sought to go beyond transportation. It became a bridge to shared experiences, creating moments that resonate with culture, tradition, and community spirit.
The strategic action had several objectives. It also served the vast Indian expatriate population in Thailand and Southeast Asia directly, offering them a chance to celebrate their culture with an unmatched grandeur in a foreign land.
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At the same time, it tapped into the growing segment of Indian travelers seeking international destinations where they could experience the joy of celebrating their major festivals abroad.
By bringing a classic Maharashtrian celebration to the idyllic beaches of Thailand, Vietjet Air created a vibrant and irresistible experience. This initiative reflects the airline’s philosophy of embracing diversity, empathizing with its customers, and celebrating the richness of their cultures.
A Divine Abode in Paradise: The Setting at Devalai
The central part of the eleven-day festival was the vibrantly decorated Lord Shrimant Ganpati Bappa Devalai. It was a magnificent venue.
The design beautifully blended traditional Marathi architectural elements with subtle Thai influences, creating a serene yet grand abode for the deity. The entrance was adorned with vibrant marigolds and delicate orchids, while the air was filled with the soothing fragrance of camphor and incense, adding to the spiritual ambiance.
The centrepiece was a magnificent idol of Lord Ganesha, crafted in gold and vibrant colours, symbolizing wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings.
The celebrations began with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, a deeply spiritual moment where priests chanted Vedic hymns to invoke the divine presence into the idol. For the large gathering of devotees, many of whom were far from their homeland, it was a profoundly moving experience.
Each day, the aartis drew immense crowds, their hands folded in devotion, faces illuminated by the gentle flicker of the flames. The air was filled with a rare tranquillity, uniting hearts in shared reverence.
A Cultural Tapestry: More Than Prayer
Although it was devoted by its essence, the festival was a cultural immersion of all senses. The Devalai grass was filled with the vitality of an Indian utsav. The cultural extravaganza began after the morning prayers.
The devotional bhajans were replaced by the melodious tunes of live classical and folk music performances. Indian troupes gracefully danced to Lavani beats and entertained people with their beauty and power.
Food stalls recreated the essence of Maharashtra’s culinary heritage, serving traditional delicacies such as sweet Ukadiche Modak, believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite, soft and wholesome Puran Poli, and festive Sabudana Khichdi. Adding a unique twist, local entrepreneurs also offered Thai-Indian fusion snacks, symbolizing the beautiful blend of cultures that defined the celebration.
The festival provided fun activities for families, such as crafting miniature clay Ganesha idol workshops, storytelling sessions about the legends of the beloved elephant god, and photo areas with Indian and Thai backgrounds.
It was a colourful, non-judgmental place, where one could see the yellow-robed Thai monks and Indian families in their festal attire, celebrating with the same spirit.
Voices of the Celebration
The true success of the event was measured in the smiles of those who attended.
Read Also: Ganesh Idols For Ganesh Chaturthi
Priya Iyer, an IT professional from Mumbai now living in Bangkok, shared that she and her family booked their Vietjet flights the very moment they heard about the celebration.
“It’s hard to believe I can experience Ganeshotsav with such scale and authenticity so far from home,” she said. “It’s not just about the prayers, it’s about the sense of community, hearing familiar language, tasting the food. It truly heals a homesick heart.”
For Krit Tanawattana, a local shop owner in Phuket, the festival brought both joy and opportunity. “This is wonderul for our city. It brings new energy and lets us learn about the beauty of Indian culture. Of course, it helps business, but more importantly, it’s good for the soul of Phuket.”
A spokesperson for Vietjet Air added, “We have always believed in bridging people and cultures. This festival is a living example of that vision. For us, it is not only about being a carrier but also about becoming a medium through which cherished traditions find new shores, creating lasting memories for our passengers and the communities we serve.”
The Ripple Effect: Impact and Significance
This initiative by Vietjet Air marks a new standard for the tourism and aviation sector. It shows how the brand can build deep emotional loyalty by respecting and investing in cultural capital. The festival has positively impacted the off-season tourism in Phuket. It will turn the area into a vibrant spot for world-class cultural and religious events.
It has built Vietjet Air as a low-cost carrier but a culturally intelligent and community-oriented brand. This exploration of cultural narratives creates a strong distinction, motivating consumers to fly with an airline that embraces their identity.
A Successful Landing
The festival reached its pinnacle with the visarjan ceremony, marked by a grand procession that carried the idol to the pristine shores of Phuket. As the sun dipped into the horizon, the idol was immersed in the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, accompanied by chants, prayers, and vibrant dance. The moment embodied the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution, leaving devotees with both joy and serenity in their hearts.
At that very moment, as a Vietjet Air plane ascended into the glowing orange sky, an unplanned yet perfect metaphor unfolded. It symbolized a modern carrier uniting an ancient tradition—bridging the earthly with the divine and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of Southeast Asia.
The message was clear: With Vietjet Air, the destination is only the beginning of the journey.
Conclusion
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Phuket, hosted by Vietjet, was far more than a festive gathering. It was an expression of cultural respect and global solidarity. Travellers felt devotion not just in prayers and rituals, but in every experience on the ground. The occasion transformed travel into something deeper, memorable, meaningful, and soulful.
By blending spirituality with the spirit of travel, Vietjet sent a powerful message: airlines are not only carriers of passengers, but also carriers of culture. The “Wings of Devotion” celebration proved that faith and tradition can transcend borders.
Phuket, in turn, became a global stage for Lord Ganesha’s blessings. Devotees departed not only with their luggage but also with treasured memories. The true measure of this event was not in numbers, but in smiles & prayers.
Ganesh Chaturthi will continue to spread joy across the world, and with initiatives like this, it is clear how festivals can unite people everywhere. Vietjet has set a remarkable example for airlines worldwide, showing that devotion, indeed, has found its wings.
