Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Sthapana Vidhi, Visarjan Date, Puja Samagri, Rules & Complete Guide

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date: When Is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2026. The festival is observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. The day is considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Ganesha and seeking his blessings for wisdom, prosperity, good fortune and the removal of obstacles.

According to the Panchang calculation, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at 7:44 AM on September 15, 2026.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Key Dates And Timings

Festival Detail	Date/Time
Ganesh Chaturthi	Monday, September 14, 2026
Chaturthi Tithi Begins	September 14, 7:06 AM
Chaturthi Tithi Ends	September 15, 7:44 AM
Main Puja Period	Madhyahna
Ganesh Visarjan	Friday, September 25, 2026
Anant Chaturdashi	Friday, September 25, 2026

The exact Puja Muhurat varies according to location, so devotees should check the Panchang for their city before beginning the main ritual.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Muhurat

The Madhyahna period is traditionally considered an important time for Ganesh Chaturthi worship. Since sunrise and other astronomical calculations differ from one location to another, the exact muhurat is not identical across India.

For example, the 2026 Panchang lists the following approximate Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Muhurat:

• New Delhi: 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM
• Noida: 11:02 AM to 1:30 PM
• Mumbai: 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM
• Pune: 11:16 AM to 1:44 PM
• Bengaluru: 11:02 AM to 1:28 PM
• Ahmedabad: 11:21 AM to 1:49 PM
• Jaipur: 11:08 AM to 1:36 PM
• Chennai: 10:51 AM to 1:18 PM
• Kolkata: 10:18 AM to 12:46 PM

Tip: If you are performing Ganesh Sthapana at home, confirm the local Panchang timing before finalising your puja schedule.

Also Read: September 2026 Horoscope: Ganesh Chaturthi Month Brings New Career Opportunities & Relationship Changes for These Zodiac Signs

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Samagri List

Preparing the puja items in advance can make the Sthapana ceremony much easier.

Idol And Puja Setup

• Lord Ganesha idol
• Wooden chowki
• Clean red or yellow cloth
• Kalash
• Coconut
• Mango leaves
• Roli and Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Akshat or uncooked rice
• Sandalwood
• Flowers and garlands
• Durva grass
• Incense sticks
• Diya and oil/ghee
• Camphor
• Cotton wicks

Bhog And Offerings

• Modak
• Laddoo
• Fruits
• Coconut
• Dry fruits
• Panchamrit
• Other traditional sweets or homemade offerings

Ganesh Sthapana Vidhi 2026: How To Install Ganpati At Home

If you are bringing Ganpati Bappa home, prepare the puja space before the auspicious period begins.

1. Clean The Puja Area

Clean the area where the idol will be placed. Decorate the space with flowers, rangoli or other traditional decorations if desired.

2. Prepare The Chowki

Place a clean cloth over the chowki and arrange the basic puja items nearby. A clean and stable platform is preferable for the idol.

3. Bring Ganpati Bappa Home

Bring the idol respectfully into the house. Many families perform a small welcome ritual while bringing Ganesha inside.

4. Place The Idol

Place the Ganesha idol securely on the prepared chowki. Follow your family's established tradition regarding the placement and direction of the idol.

5. Perform Sthapana And Invocation

Begin the Ganesh Puja with prayers and Sankalp. Families following a more detailed ritual may perform Pran Pratishtha according to their customary method or the guidance of their priest.

6. Offer Puja Items

Offer flowers, Durva, sandalwood, Kumkum, Akshat and other traditional items.

7. Offer Bhog

Present Modak, fruits, sweets and other Naivedya before Lord Ganesha.

8. Recite Mantras

Chant traditional Ganesha mantras or prayers according to your practice.

9. Perform Aarti

Conclude the main puja with Ganesh Aarti and seek blessings for the household.

A simple, sincere puja performed according to one's family tradition is more practical than attempting rituals without understanding them.

Why Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. In Hindu tradition, Ganesha is associated with wisdom, intellect, prosperity, auspicious beginnings and the removal of obstacles.

This is why Lord Ganesha is commonly invoked before beginning important religious ceremonies and significant undertakings.

The festival has both religious and cultural importance. Families worship Ganesha at home, while communities organise elaborate public celebrations featuring decorated pandals, cultural programmes, music and devotional activities.

The modern public form of Ganeshotsav became especially prominent in Maharashtra, where community celebrations developed into a major cultural tradition. Today, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed across many parts of India and by Indian communities around the world.

Why Is Lord Ganesha Worshipped First?

Lord Ganesha is traditionally known as Vighnaharta, or the remover of obstacles. He is therefore invoked at the beginning of many auspicious ceremonies.

The tradition reflects the belief that seeking Ganesha's blessings before starting an important task helps clear obstacles and encourages wisdom and discernment.

His association with intellect is also significant. Devotees do not merely pray for success; they seek the wisdom to make the right decisions and overcome challenges.

Why Is Durva Offered To Lord Ganesha?

Durva grass holds a special place in Ganesh Puja and is among the traditional offerings made to Lord Ganesha.

Devotees commonly offer small bunches of Durva during the ritual. Its importance comes from traditional religious stories and practices associated with Ganesha worship.

For many devotees, offering Durva is an essential part of the puja and symbolises devotion and reverence.

Why Are Modaks Offered To Lord Ganesha?

Modak is perhaps the most recognisable food associated with Ganpati Bappa.

The sweet is traditionally offered as Naivedya during Ganesh Puja and is closely linked with the festival. Modak is also associated with sweetness, fulfilment and spiritual knowledge in popular religious interpretation.

Different regions prepare different varieties, including steamed and fried Modaks. Coconut-jaggery fillings are especially popular.

How Many Days Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations do not follow one fixed duration for every family.

Depending on regional and family traditions, devotees may keep the idol for:

• One and a half days
• Three days
• Five days
• Seven days
• Ten days

The ten-day celebration concludes on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 25, 2026.

This means families should not assume that they must keep the idol for all ten days. The chosen Visarjan day depends on the family's tradition and the duration they observe.

Ganesh Visarjan 2026: When Is Ganpati Visarjan?

Ganesh Visarjan will be observed on Friday, September 25, 2026, on Anant Chaturdashi. This is the major concluding day of the traditional ten-day Ganeshotsav.

However, households that follow shorter celebrations can perform Visarjan earlier. Panchang calculations also provide timings for one-and-a-half-day, third-day and fifth-day immersions.

The Visarjan symbolises the conclusion of the period of worship and the return of the deity to his divine abode. Devotees traditionally bid farewell with prayers and the familiar call of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”

Ganesh Visarjan Vidhi: What To Do Before Immersion

Before taking the idol for Visarjan, devotees can perform the following traditional steps:

1. Clean the puja area.
2. Perform the final Ganesh Puja.
3. Offer flowers, Durva and Naivedya.
4. Perform Aarti.
5. Pray for the well-being and prosperity of the family.
6. Seek forgiveness for any mistakes made during the worship period.
7. Carry the idol respectfully for immersion.
8. Follow the designated local immersion arrangements.

For eco-friendly celebrations, devotees should consider clay idols and use authorised immersion points or artificial immersion tanks where local authorities provide them.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: 10 Important Rules To Follow

While practices differ across families, these simple guidelines can help maintain the sanctity of the celebration.

1. Keep the puja area clean. Cleanliness is an important part of preparing for worship.

2. Prepare the puja items beforehand. This avoids last-minute disruption during Sthapana.

3. Follow the local Puja Muhurat. Since timings vary by city, check the local Panchang.

4. Follow your family tradition. Not every household follows identical rituals or celebration durations.

5. Offer traditional Naivedya. Modak, fruits and other customary offerings can be included.

6. Maintain regular worship. Families keeping Ganesha for several days can perform daily prayers and Aarti.

7. Avoid unnecessary plastic decoration. Choose reusable, natural or biodegradable decorations where possible.

8. Respect local rules. Public celebrations should follow applicable rules for sound, traffic and public gatherings.

9. Choose responsible Visarjan practices. Use designated immersion facilities whenever available.

10. Focus on devotion rather than extravagance. The festival is ultimately about worship, gratitude and community.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does Ganesh Chaturthi Tithi begin?
   The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 7:06 AM on September 14, 2026, according to the cited Panchang calculation.
2. When is Ganesh Visarjan 2026?
   The main Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
3. How many days should Ganpati be kept at home?
   There is no single duration followed by every family. Common traditions include one and a half, three, five, seven and ten days.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: The Complete Festival At A Glance

For anyone preparing for Ganpati Bappa this year, the key dates are simple: Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 14, 2026, while the Chaturthi Tithi runs from September 14 morning to September 15 morning. The main Ganesh Puja is performed during the Madhyahna period, with the exact muhurat depending on the city. The traditional ten-day celebration culminates in Ganesh Visarjan on September 25, 2026, Anant Chaturdashi.

Whether you are welcoming a small Ganpati idol into your home or participating in a community celebration, preparing the puja items, checking the local muhurat and understanding the Visarjan schedule in advance can make the festival more organised and meaningful. Above all, Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of faith, wisdom, new beginnings and the hope of overcoming obstacles with Lord Ganesha's blessings.