Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Maharashtra — and in Pune and Mumbai, it is a 10-day celebration unlike any other in the world. As a Pune-based makeup artist, I see more requests for festival makeup during Ganeshotsav than almost any other time of year. Here are my top looks for 2025.
—The Traditional Maharashtrian Festive Look
The classic Ganesh Chaturthi look honours Maharashtrian tradition — warm skin, kajal-rimmed eyes, a bright bindi, and bold lips in red, coral, or orange. The colours echo the marigold, vermillion, and gold of the festival decorations.
- 1Base: Dewy, warm-toned foundation — festive skin should glow
- 2Eyes: Heavy kajal on upper and lower waterline, gold shimmer on lids
- 3Brows: Defined and bold — they frame the festive look
- 4Lips: Bright red, deep coral, or orange-red for traditional looks
- 5Bindi: Red or orange bindi — larger than usual for festive occasions
- 6Setting: Waterproof everything — you will be dancing and celebrating for hours
—Modern Festive Glam for 2025
For 2025, Maharashtra women are embracing a more editorial festive look — monochromatic orange-gold tones across eyes, cheeks, and lips, with a dewy glass skin base. This look photographs beautifully at pandals and is festival-appropriate without being too heavy.
- 1Glass skin base with a golden highlighter on high points
- 2Burnt orange or saffron eyeshadow blended into the crease
- 3Gold liner on the upper lid for a festive metallic element
- 4Terracotta or peach-orange blush on the cheeks
- 5Matching coral-orange lip in a satin finish
Pro Tip: Pune Pandal Tip: Pandal lighting is a mix of warm LEDs and coloured festival lights. Avoid cool-toned or ashy makeup — it will look grey under warm pandal lighting. Stick to warm oranges, golds, and reds.
—Makeup Tips for 10 Days of Celebrations
- 1Day 1 (Ganesh arrival): Full traditional look with kajal and red lip
- 2Mid-festival days: Natural with a festive pop — orange lip or gold eye
- 3Anant Chaturdashi (final day): Your most dramatic look — this is the grand finale
- 4Always use waterproof products — processions and emotions guarantee tears
- 5Carry a blotting paper and your lip colour for touch-ups between pandal visits
“Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune is not just a festival — it is an emotion. Your makeup should match that energy.”
— Poonam