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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
Bhadrapada • Shukla Paksha • Chaturthi
The 10-day arrival of Lord Ganesha — the remover of obstacles — into homes and pandals across India.
Date for this festival is not yet available. Please check back later.
Ganesha is invoked at the start of every Hindu ritual, journey, business, and undertaking — Pratham Pujya, the first to be worshipped. The 10-day festival from Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi creates a sacred installation period: the murti is invited (avahana), worshipped daily, and then immersed (visarjan) — symbolising that the divine comes, blesses, and returns to formlessness. The festival is most spectacular in Maharashtra (Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja draws millions), Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana and Goa.
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati. Parvati created Ganesha from sandalwood paste to guard her bath; when he stopped Shiva from entering, Shiva severed his head. Parvati's grief was assuaged when Shiva replaced the head with that of an elephant, declaring Ganesha foremost among gods — to be worshipped before any other deity. The 10-day public festival as we know it was popularised by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 to unite Hindus during British rule and create a public space for cultural expression.
Presiding Deity:Ganesha
Sthapana (Day 1, Chaturthi): bring home a clay (eco-friendly) Ganesha murti during Madhyahna Kaal (midday). Perform pran-pratishtha invocation.
Daily puja with 21 modaks (Ganesha's favourite), 21 durva grass blades, red flowers (jaswand/hibiscus), and sindoor.
Recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, Sankashti Chaturthi vrat katha, and Ganesh ashtottara shata namavali.
Aarti morning and evening with 'Sukhakarta Dukhaharta' — the most beloved Ganesha aarti.
Daily naivedya: modak, ladoo, kheer, banana, jaggery — offer with fresh tulsi or durva.
Visarjan (Day 1.5, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 10): immerse the clay murti in flowing water with the prayer 'Ganpati bappa morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya' (come back early next year).
Avoid sighting the moon on Chaturthi night — the Mithya Dosha (false-blame curse) of Krishna's Syamantaka episode applies. If accidentally sighted, recite the Syamantaka katha.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 begins on TBA (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi) and the festival continues for 10 days, ending with Anant Chaturdashi visarjan.
Why are eco-friendly Ganesha idols recommended?
Plaster of Paris (POP) idols don't dissolve and pollute water bodies; the chemical paints on them are toxic. Traditional shastra-prescribed idols are made of pure clay (mitti), naturally biodegradable, dissolving cleanly within hours of immersion. Many devotees now also do home visarjan in a bucket, then water plants with the resulting mud-water.
Can the Ganesha idol be kept beyond 10 days?
Traditionally no — visarjan completes the cycle of avahana (welcome) and udvasana (farewell). Keeping the murti longer disturbs the spiritual flow. The 1.5-day, 5-day or 7-day visarjan are equally valid alternatives based on family tradition.
Why is the moon avoided on Ganesh Chaturthi night?
The Bhagavata Purana relates that the moon mocked Ganesha's appearance once; Ganesha cursed that anyone seeing the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi would face Mithya Dosha — a false accusation. Krishna himself was accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel due to this dosha. Reciting the Syamantaka katha removes the curse if accidentally sighted.
Why is Ganesha worshipped before any other deity?
Shiva granted Ganesha the boon of being Pratham Pujya — first to be worshipped — after restoring his life. Spiritually, Ganesha represents Buddhi (intellect) and Vighna-vinashana (obstacle removal); without clarity and obstacle-clearing, no other worship bears fruit. Hence every puja, sankalp and journey begins with 'Shri Ganeshay Namah'.
Krishna Janmashtami
The midnight birth of Lord Krishna in the prison of Mathura — celebrated with bhajan, dahi-handi and Nishita puja.
Sharad Navratri
The 9 nights of Durga — worshipping the nine forms of the Goddess as she conquers Mahishasura, culminating in Vijayadashami.
Diwali (Deepavali)
The festival of lights — celebrating the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
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This page updates automatically every year.