Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Vidhi, Mantra & Visarjan Time

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of India's most cherished Hindu festivals, celebrating the arrival and worship of Lord Ganesha, revered as Vighnaharta—the remover of obstacles—and associated with wisdom, auspicious beginnings, and prosperity.

Homes and public pandals welcome Ganpati Bappa with decorated idols, flowers, Durva grass, Modak, devotional music, Aarti, and prayers. The celebrations can continue for several days before concluding with Ganesh Visarjan.

If you're already planning your celebrations, the most important question is: When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, September 14, 2026. The main Ganeshotsav concludes with Anant Chaturdashi and final Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, September 25, 2026.

This complete guide covers the Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 date and time, Puja Muhurat, Chaturthi Tithi, simple home Puja Vidhi, important Ganesha mantras, offerings, Moon-sighting tradition, and Visarjan.

Important: Hindu Muhurat timings depend on your location. The city-specific timings below are for major Indian cities; check your local Panchang before performing a time-sensitive ritual.

When Is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date: Monday, September 14, 2026

According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed during Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Bhadrapada month.

For 2026, the Chaturthi Tithi begins on the morning of September 14 and continues into September 15.

The festival begins with the installation and worship of Lord Ganesha and traditionally culminates with Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date and Time

Here are the key dates to remember:

Ganesh Chaturthi: Monday, September 14, 2026

Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 7:06 AM on September 14, 2026

Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 7:44 AM on September 15, 2026

Final Ganesh Visarjan / Anant Chaturdashi: Friday, September 25, 2026

The exact Puja Muhurat varies according to city.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Muhurat

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja is traditionally performed during Madhyahna, the midday period associated with Lord Ganesha's birth in festival tradition.

For New Delhi, the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat is:

11:02 AM to 1:31 PM

For Gurgaon/Gurugram, the Muhurat is:

11:03 AM to 1:31 PM

Other major-city timings include approximately:

• Mumbai: 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM
• Pune: 11:16 AM to 1:44 PM
• Bengaluru: 11:02 AM to 1:28 PM
• Chennai: 10:51 AM to 1:18 PM
• Hyderabad: 10:58 AM to 1:25 PM
• Jaipur: 11:08 AM to 1:36 PM
• Ahmedabad: 11:21 AM to 1:49 PM
• Kolkata: 10:18 AM to 12:46 PM

Because Panchang timings are location-specific, always verify the Muhurat for your city before scheduling your puja.

Why Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha and is traditionally observed as his birth festival.

Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the deity associated with:

• Wisdom
• Intellect
• Auspicious beginnings
• Removal of obstacles
• Learning
• Prosperity

This is why Ganesha is traditionally invoked before beginning a new venture, ceremony, business, journey, or other important undertaking.

The festival is celebrated with particular grandeur in Maharashtra, although Ganesh Chaturthi is observed by devotees across India and around the world.

How to Prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 at Home

A beautiful Ganpati celebration doesn't require an excessively elaborate setup.

Begin by cleaning your home and especially the area where you plan to establish Ganpati Bappa.

You may prepare:

• Ganesha idol
• Clean chowki or platform
• Red or yellow cloth
• Fresh flowers
• Durva grass
• Diya
• Incense
• Kumkum
• Akshat
• Fruits
• Coconut
• Modak
• Puja thali

Keep the arrangement devotional and uncluttered.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Vidhi: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Family and regional traditions vary, so follow your established household practice where it differs. For a simple home celebration, you can use the following structure.

Step 1: Prepare the Ganpati Altar

Cover a clean chowki or platform with a fresh cloth.

Place the Ganesha idol respectfully on the altar.

Avoid placing the idol directly on the floor.

Step 2: Begin with Sankalpa

Sit calmly before Lord Ganesha and mentally state your intention to perform the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja with devotion.

Step 3: Light a Diya and Incense

Light your diya and incense according to your family tradition.

Step 4: Offer Flowers and Durva

Offer fresh flowers and Durva grass, which has a particularly important traditional association with Lord Ganesha.

Step 5: Apply Tilak and Offer Akshat

Offer Kumkum or other customary puja materials according to your household tradition.

Step 6: Offer Modak

Modak is one of the most recognizable offerings associated with Lord Ganesha.

Offer homemade or suitable Satvik Modak as Naivedya.

You may also place a symbolic Silver Modak near your Ganesha idol as a lasting devotional representation, but it does not replace edible Naivedya where your tradition calls for food.

Step 7: Chant Ganesha Mantras

Spend a few minutes chanting a Ganesha mantra with concentration and devotion.

Step 8: Perform Ganesh Aarti

Perform Aarti according to your family tradition and conclude with prayer.

Step 9: Distribute Prasad

After completing the appropriate offering and prayer, distribute prasad among family members and devotees according to your customary practice.

Powerful Ganesh Mantras for Ganesh Chaturthi

You don't need to know numerous complicated mantras to worship Lord Ganesha.

One of the simplest and most widely recited mantras is:

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Om Gan Ganapataye Namah

You may chant it 11, 21, or 108 times according to your personal practice.

Another traditional prayer is:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada

The prayer asks Lord Ganesha for freedom from obstacles in one's endeavours.

What Should You Offer Lord Ganesha?

Traditional offerings can vary, but popular Ganpati Puja offerings include:

• Modak : Perhaps the most iconic Ganesha offering.
• Durva Grass : One of the most traditional offerings associated with Ganpati worship.
• Flowers : Fresh flowers can be offered according to your household practice.
• Coconut : Coconut is commonly included in Hindu puja rituals and festive offerings.
• Fruits : Fresh fruits can be offered as Satvik Naivedya.

The emphasis should remain on devotion rather than the number or expense of offerings.

Should You Avoid Seeing the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi?

A well-known Ganesh Chaturthi tradition advises avoiding Moon sighting during a specified period because of the story of Mithya Dosha, which is associated with false accusations in traditional festival narratives.

The exact Moon-avoidance window varies by location.

For example, Panchang calculations for 2026 show a broad daytime-to-evening avoidance period on September 14, but you should check the exact timing for your city rather than applying another city's schedule.

How Long Can You Keep Ganpati at Home?

Not every family keeps the Ganesha idol for the full festival.

Depending on tradition, devotees may perform Visarjan:

• On Ganesh Chaturthi itself
• After 1½ days
• On the 3rd day
• On the 5th day
• On the 7th day
• On Anant Chaturdashi

There is no need to keep the idol for the maximum duration if your household traditionally follows a shorter Ganpati celebration.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Visarjan Date

The main Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Visarjan date on Anant Chaturdashi is:

Friday, September 25, 2026

This marks the culmination of the main Ganeshotsav.

Devotees traditionally bid farewell to Ganpati Bappa with prayers, Aarti, devotional chanting, and the beloved call:

Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!

Meaning, in essence: O Ganpati Bappa, return soon next year.

Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Time

Unlike the Ganesh Chaturthi Madhyahna Puja, Visarjan timings are highly location-specific and may include multiple auspicious Choghadiya windows during the day and night.

The final Visarjan is observed on September 25, 2026, but the exact suitable time should be checked using the Panchang for your city.

Also remember that many families perform Visarjan earlier in the festival according to their established tradition.

Simple Ganesh Visarjan Vidhi at Home

Before Visarjan, perform a final puja and Aarti.

Offer flowers, Durva, and prasad, and thank Lord Ganesha for being part of your home and celebrations.

Pray for wisdom, strength, and an auspicious year ahead.

If you're using an immersion-appropriate idol and performing Visarjan at home, follow environmentally responsible local practices.

Reusable or permanent Ganesha idols should not be immersed simply because the festival has concluded.

Meaningful Ganpati Puja Essentials

You can make your Ganpati altar more meaningful with carefully selected devotional pieces such as:

• Crystal Ganesha idols
• Silver Modak
• Silver Swastik
• Silver Bel Patra or other suitable puja offerings
• Traditional puja accessories

Permanent spiritual pieces can remain in your home temple after Ganesh Chaturthi rather than becoming one-time festival decorations.

Why Explore The Stardust Studio for Ganesh Chaturthi?

At The Stardust Studio, our Ganesh collection is created for devotees looking for meaningful spiritual pieces that can remain part of their home long after the festival.

The collection includes crystal Ganesha idols crafted in materials such as Rose Quartz, Green Jade, Clear Quartz, Labradorite, and Pyrite, along with Ganpati-inspired silver and spiritual products.

Whether you're preparing your home mandir for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026, searching for a meaningful Ganpati gift, or looking for a lasting devotional keepsake, choose products according to their symbolism, craftsmanship, and suitability for your personal worship tradition.

Final Thoughts

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, beginning a joyful period of Ganpati worship that culminates with the main Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan on Friday, September 25, 2026.

For New Delhi, the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat is approximately 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM, but remember that auspicious timings change by location.

Whether you celebrate Ganpati for one day, 1½ days, five days, seven days, or until Anant Chaturdashi, the heart of the festival remains the same: welcoming Lord Ganesha with devotion and bidding him farewell with gratitude.

As you prepare your home for Ganesh Chaturthi, explore the Ganesh collection at The Stardust Studio for thoughtfully designed Crystal Ganesha idols, Silver Modak, and other devotional essentials that can continue to hold meaning in your home temple long after Ganeshotsav concludes.