Ganesh Chaturthi's main date is the same Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi across traditions; the variation seen is mainly in how many days pass before visarjan (1.5, 5, 7, or 10 days), not in the date itself. In 2026, due to a tithi coincidence, Ganesh Chaturthi and Hartalika Teej fall on the same day (14 September).
Significance of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Shri Ganesh. According to the Shiva Purana, while bathing, Mother Parvati created a boy from turmeric paste to stand guard at her door, and made him her son. When Lord Shiva, unaware of this, was stopped at the door by the boy, he beheaded him in anger. At Parvati's grief, Shiva brought the head of an elephant and gave the boy life again, and thus Shri Ganesh was born.
Ganesh is regarded as the first deity to be worshipped, meaning he is honoured first at the start of any auspicious undertaking, since he is Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. This is why the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated with such devotion and joy.
Another belief associated with Ganesh Chaturthi is that viewing the moon on this day is considered inauspicious, for fear of facing a false accusation. This belief is tied to the well-known story of Shri Krishna and the Syamantaka jewel, available to read in full on this page.
How Shri Ganesh Chaturthi Is Celebrated
On Ganesh Chaturthi, an idol of Shri Ganesh is installed at homes and in public pandals. After the formal consecration ceremony, daily aarti, devotional singing, and offerings of modak, Ganesh's favourite sweet, continue through the festival.
The festival usually continues for one and a half, five, seven, or ten days, concluding with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, when the idol is immersed in water. In Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated on the grandest public scale, with large pandals and elaborate immersion processions.
Shri Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi
On Ganesh Chaturthi, bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. Install an idol of Shri Ganesh at home or in a pandal and perform the formal consecration. Offer durva grass, sindoor, and modak, and perform the aarti. After daily worship and offerings, immerse the idol on the chosen day. It's also customary to avoid looking at the moon on this day, per the tradition.
About Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival marking the birth of Shri Ganesh, observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. This page covers Ganesh Chaturthi's significance, the background of Parvati's creation of Ganesh and Shiva granting him an elephant head, the day's customs such as idol installation, modak offerings, and visarjan, along with the puja vidhi for observing it at home.
The information on this page is presented with easy-to-read sizing and print support, and the full Syamantaka jewel story can be read on this site's katha page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ganesh Chaturthi observed?
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed every year on the Chaturthi tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month.
How many days does the Ganesh festival last?
The festival usually lasts one and a half, five, seven, or ten days, and ends with visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.
Why is the moon not viewed on Ganesh Chaturthi?
It's believed that viewing the moon on this day brings a false accusation, as told in the story of Shri Krishna and the Syamantaka jewel, the full story is available on this page.
What is Ganesh Visarjan?
The ritual of immersing Shri Ganesh's idol in water at the conclusion of the festival is called Ganesh Visarjan, performed on Anant Chaturdashi.