गणेश चतुर्थी
Ganesh Chaturthi
The birth of Lord Ganesha, who is welcomed home for up to ten days with modaks and aarti.
About Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Ganesha was born at midday, so the sthapana and puja are done in the Madhyahna muhurat.
Families and pandals install Ganesha idols for one and a half, three, five, seven or ten days. The festival ends with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.
How to celebrate
Bring the idol home and install it in the Madhyahna muhurat with Pranapratishtha.
Offer durva grass, red flowers, and 21 modaks.
Do aarti morning and evening, with Sukhakarta Dukhaharta.
Immerse the idol on the chosen day with the chant Ganpati Bappa Morya.
Do
- Choose a clay idol that dissolves in water
- Offer 21 blades of durva grass
Avoid
- Looking at the moon on Chaturthi night, which is believed to bring false blame
The story
Parvati made Ganesha from turmeric paste to guard her door. Shiva, not knowing him, cut off his head, then restored his life with the head of an elephant and made him the first to be worshipped.
Questions
When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is on Monday, 14 September 2026. Shukla Chaturthi tithi begins at 7:06 AM on Monday 14 September and ends at 7:44 AM on Tuesday 15 September IST.
What is the Ganesh Chaturthi muhurat in 2026?
In New Delhi, the madhyahna puja muhurat is from 11:02 AM to 1:30 PM IST. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
Why should the moon not be seen on Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesha cursed the moon for laughing at him. Seeing the moon on this night is believed to bring false accusations, as happened to Krishna.
How many days is the Ganesh festival?
Families choose 1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. The tenth day is Anant Chaturdashi.
Around Ganesh Chaturthi
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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