Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 — Date, Puja Vidhi, Visarjan & Significance

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha — the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings. It falls on Shukla Chaturthi (4th day) of Bhadrapada month (August-September).

The festival lasts 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, ending with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion in water). In Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad, grand public celebrations with massive Ganesh idols attract millions of devotees.

Puja Vidhi: Install the clay Ganesh idol facing east or west. Perform Shodashopachara Puja (16-step worship). Offer 21 Modak (Ganesha's favorite sweet), Durva grass, red flowers, and coconut. Chant Ganapati Atharvashirsha or Ganesh Mantra (Om Gan Ganapataye Namah).

Moon sighting prohibition: Tradition warns against looking at the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night — it brings false accusations (Mithya Dosha). This is linked to the story of the Moon laughing at Ganesha.