Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, September 14, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed remover of obstacles. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days with elaborate idol installations, daily aarti, and a grand visarjan procession, especially prominent in Maharashtra.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date and Tithi
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, Monday, 14 September 2026, and the festival traditionally continues for ten days, concluding on Anant Chaturdashi.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, who according to legend was created by Goddess Parvati from turmeric paste (or sandalwood, in some versions) to guard her while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was refused entry by the boy who did not recognize him, a fierce confrontation followed in which Shiva severed the boy’s head. To console the grieving Parvati, Shiva restored him to life by attaching the head of an elephant, the first creature he encountered, and declared him Ganesha, foremost among the gods, to be worshipped before the start of any new venture, journey or ritual.
While Ganesh Chaturthi has long been a household festival, its transformation into a grand public celebration is credited to the Indian freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who in 1893 encouraged community Ganesh mandals (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav) as a way to unite people across caste lines and build collective spirit during the freedom struggle. Today, elaborately crafted clay idols of Ganesha are installed in homes and public pandals for a period of one and a half, five, seven, or most commonly ten days, accompanied by daily prayers, cultural programs and community participation, before being immersed in water on the final day, Anant Chaturdashi, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi (Rituals)
- Pranapratishtha – The festival begins with the ceremonial installation of the Ganesha idol, during which priests invoke the deity’s divine presence into the murti through Vedic mantras.
- Daily Aarti – Morning and evening aartis are performed with a lit lamp, incense and the singing of devotional songs, most famously “Sukhkarta Dukhharta” and “Jai Ganesh Deva”.
- Offerings – Modak (a sweet dumpling considered Ganesha’s favorite), durva grass, red hibiscus flowers and coconut are among the traditional offerings made daily.
- 21 Names/Durva chanting – Devotees often chant the 21 names of Ganesha while offering 21 blades of durva grass, a ritual believed to please the deity especially.
- Visarjan procession – On the final day (commonly the 10th, Anant Chaturdashi), the idol is taken through the streets in a festive procession with music, dance and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya”, before being immersed in a river, lake or the sea.
Regional Celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India, most prominently in Maharashtra (Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja and Pune’s mandals), and is also major in Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (Khairatabad Ganesh), and Tamil Nadu (Vinayagar/Pillaiyar Chaturthi).
Frequently Asked Questions About Ganesh Chaturthi
When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, 14 September, on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi tithi.
What is the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and new beginnings.
Where is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India, most prominently in Maharashtra, and is also major in Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the same festive season as Dussehra and Raksha Bandhan. Explore more Hindu festival dates and rituals on Mythology Mantra. Dates are cross-checked with DrikPanchang.