Birth of Lord Ganesha. 10-day festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. He is worshipped first among all gods, as Vighnaharta, the one who removes obstacles, which is why no auspicious task begins without his blessing. The festival opens on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi and continues joyfully for ten days, ending with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.
On the first day, families bring home a clay murti of Ganesha and install it with the Sthapana ceremony, inviting him as an honoured guest. For ten days he is offered modak, his beloved sweet, along with durva grass, red flowers and daily aarti. On Anant Chaturdashi the murti is carried out in a happy procession and immersed in water, with everyone calling out "Ganpati Bappa Morya", praying that he returns again next year.
Because Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of every good work, his festival fittingly opens the long autumn season of festivals that runs through Navratri and Diwali. In Gujarat, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated both in homes and in community pandals, with music, decorations and shared meals. In recent years more families choose eco-friendly clay idols so that the visarjan does not pollute rivers and lakes, keeping the spirit of the festival in harmony with nature.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is on Monday, 14 September 2026 (Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi). It is a ten-day festival that ends with Ganesh Visarjan on 25 September.
The Ganesha murti is traditionally installed during the Madhyahna (midday) period. The exact muhurat depends on your city, so check the 14 September Panchang for the precise Sthapana time for your location.
Ganesh Visarjan 2026 is on Anant Chaturdashi, Friday 25 September 2026, the tenth day of the festival.
According to a well-known legend, seeing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night brings Mithya Dosha, a false accusation. By tradition, devotees avoid looking at the moon on this night to stay free of blame.
Ganesha is offered modak (his favourite sweet), durva grass, red flowers, sandal paste and fruits. Modak and durva are considered especially dear to him.