Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings. He is worshipped as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles, and Prathamesh, the deity honoured before beginning any important work.

In 2026, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on Monday, September 14. The festival begins with Ganesh Sthapana and continues for different durations according to family and regional traditions. The main immersion ceremony will be held on Anant Chaturdashi, Friday, September 25.

Devotees should note that panchang timings vary by city, geographical location and tradition. The local Madhyahna muhurat should be checked before performing the installation.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. The principal worship is traditionally conducted during Madhyahna Kaal because Hindu tradition associates Lord Ganesha’s birth with the midday period.

Ganesh Sthapana should preferably be completed during Madhyahna Kaal. The auspicious period changes according to local sunrise and sunset.

People living in other cities or outside India should use a local panchang to determine the correct muhurat. Families may also consult a priest if their household tradition follows a different calculation.

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Devotees usually clean and decorate their homes before welcoming Lord Ganesha. The puja area should be peaceful, clean and separate from frequently used household spaces when possible.

Important preparations include:

• Clean the house and puja area thoroughly.
• Select an eco-friendly clay Ganesha idol.
• Place a wooden chowki facing east or north.
• Cover the chowki with a clean red or yellow cloth.
• Decorate the area with flowers, mango leaves and traditional rangoli.
• Keep all puja materials ready before the Madhyahna muhurat begins.
• Decide how many days the idol will remain at home.
• Prepare modaks, laddoos, fruits or another satvik naivedya.

The idol should be handled carefully while bringing it home. Many families cover the face of the murti with a clean cloth and remove it only after placing the idol at the prepared location.

The exact requirements differ across regions and family traditions. The following items are commonly used for Ganesh Sthapana and puja.

Fresh durva grass and modaks are considered among the most important offerings. Devotees traditionally offer 21 blades of durva and 21 modaks or laddoos, although the number may vary according to household customs.

The puja begins after devotees bathe and wear clean clothes. Family members should gather near the prepared altar before the start of the auspicious period.

Sprinkle Gangajal or clean water around the altar. Light a ghee lamp and incense to begin the worship in a calm and devotional atmosphere.

Take water, akshat and a flower in the right palm. State your name, place, family lineage if known, and the number of days for which Ganpati will remain at home. Release the water into a small vessel after completing the sankalp.

Place a small quantity of akshat at the centre of the chowki and carefully position the murti over it during the Madhyahna muhurat. Sprinkle a few drops of Gangajal on the idol.

Fill a copper or brass kalash with water. Add a coin, supari and akshat. Arrange mango leaves around its opening and place a coconut on top.

Offer flowers and chant:

“Om Gam Ganapataye Namah”

Devotees may chant the mantra 11, 21 or 108 times according to their convenience.

Apply chandan, roli and kumkum to the idol. Offer akshat, mauli, flowers, red hibiscus and durva grass. Light the diya, dhoop and incense.

Offer modaks or laddoos along with fruits, panchmeva, mishri and other satvik preparations. Food should be offered before family members consume it.

Read or listen to the Ganesh Chaturthi katha and the Syamantaka Mani story. Conclude the worship with “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva” or another traditional Ganesha aarti.

Move the aarti flame clockwise before the idol and distribute prasad among family members and visitors.

Lord Ganesha is treated as an honoured guest throughout his stay in the home. Families may maintain a simple daily routine based on their available time and local customs.

Recommended daily practices include:

• Light a lamp in the morning and evening.
• Offer fresh flowers and durva.
• Present fresh fruits, sweets or home-cooked satvik food.
• Chant “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.”
• Perform morning and evening aarti.
• Keep the altar and surrounding area clean.
• Avoid leaving spoiled flowers or food near the idol.
• Maintain a calm and respectful atmosphere at home.
• Invite family members to participate in aarti and prayers.

According to a traditional Puranic story, Lord Ganesha was returning after eating modaks when his mouse stumbled and he fell. Chandra Dev, the Moon god, reportedly laughed after seeing the incident.

Angered by the mockery, Lord Ganesha declared that anyone who looked at the Moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi could face false allegations and undeserved disgrace. This traditional belief is known as Mithya Dosh.

The legend is also connected to Lord Krishna and the Syamantaka Mani. Krishna was accused of stealing the precious jewel after seeing the Moon on Chaturthi. He later recovered the gem and cleared his name.

If the Moon is seen accidentally, traditional remedies include:

• Read or listen to the Syamantaka Mani katha.
• Worship Lord Ganesha with devotion.
• Offer durva grass and modaks.
• Recite “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.”
• Place a few grains of akshat on the head while listening to the katha.

These practices are based on religious traditions, and their observance may differ among families and regions.

Not every household keeps Ganpati for the complete festival. Families may choose one-and-a-half, three, five, seven or ten days according to their tradition and sankalp.

The immersion date should match the duration chosen during the initial sankalp. Families may conduct visarjan at home when public immersion is impractical or restricted.

Before immersion, devotees perform a final puja known as Uttar Puja. This marks the formal conclusion of Ganpati’s stay in the home.

The main steps include:

• Clean the altar and light the diya.
• Offer flowers, durva, fruits and fresh naivedya.
• Perform the final Ganesh aarti.
• Thank Lord Ganesha for blessing the household.
• Seek forgiveness for errors committed during the puja.
• Gently move the idol to signify the conclusion of sthapana.
• Carry the idol respectfully to the immersion location.
• Chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya.”
• Immerse the murti carefully without throwing or damaging it.

A natural clay idol can be immersed in a large bucket or water tank at home. This method is especially suitable for families living in apartments or outside India.

Follow these steps:

1. Fill a clean vessel with sufficient water.
2. Place the clay idol gently inside it.
3. Allow the idol to dissolve naturally.
4. Avoid using chemical cleaners or additives.
5. Use the dissolved clay in a garden or potted plant.
6. Retain decorative items for reuse instead of immersing them.

Plaster-of-Paris idols and chemical paints may pollute lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Choosing a natural clay murti, reusable decorations and biodegradable offerings helps preserve the environment while maintaining the spiritual meaning of the festival.