Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 — Monday, 14 September 2026
Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi) celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha — the elephant-headed remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings. The festival begins on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and concludes 10 days later on Anant Chaturdashi with Ganesh Visarjan.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, 14 September 2026.
- Date: 14 September 2026
- Tithi: Chaturthi (Shukla)
- Nakshatra: Chitra
- Sun Rashi: Simha (Leo)
- Masa: Bhadrapada Masam
- Presiding Deity: Ganesha (Vinayaka, Vighnaharta, Ganapati)
Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta). Per the Ganesha Purana, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from the turmeric paste she had used to cleanse her body, breathing life into the figure to guard her chamber. Lord Shiva, unaware, was denied entry by Ganesha and in his fury severed the boy's head. Upon learning the truth, Shiva replaced the head with that of an elephant (the first creature found facing north), reviving Ganesha and declaring him "Gana-isha" — lord of all ganas (Shiva's attendants). Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as his birth anniversary.
Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step)
- Wake early on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (14 September 2026), bathe, and wear clean (preferably red, yellow, or saffron) attire.
- Set up a clean puja sthal with a wooden plank covered in a red cloth.
- Murti Sthapana: install the Ganesha idol on the plank during the auspicious muhurat (10:35 AM - 1:09 PM IST).
- Chant the Pranapratishtha mantra to invoke Ganesha's presence in the idol.
- Perform Shodashopachara puja (16 upacharas): asana, padya, arghya, achamana, snana, vastra, yajnopavita, gandha, pushpa, dhupa, deepa, naivedya, tambula, dakshina, neerajana, pradakshina.
- Offer 21 durva grass blades — Ganesha's favorite — tied in 11 small bundles.
- Offer Modak (steamed rice-flour dumpling with coconut-jaggery filling) — the most beloved naivedya.
- Offer red flowers (hibiscus, marigold) — avoid Tulsi which is forbidden for Ganesha.
- Chant the Ganesha Atharvasheersha or the Ganapati Pancharatna Stotra.
- Continue puja for 1.5 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 9 or 10 days depending on family tradition. Visarjan happens on the final day.
Auspicious Muhurat & Timings
Murti Sthapana (idol installation) muhurat: 10:35 AM to 1:09 PM IST on 14 September 2026 (Madhyahna Ganesha Puja time). Anant Chaturdashi (Visarjan day): Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
Mantras
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Salutations to Ganapati, the lord of all ganas.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
O Lord with curved trunk, mighty body, radiant as a million suns — please grant me freedom from obstacles in all my undertakings, always.
✓ Do's
- Install Ganesha idol with full Shodashopachara puja during Madhyahna muhurat (10:35 AM - 1:09 PM).
- Offer 21 durva grass blades + red flowers + modak as primary naivedya.
- Chant Ganesha Atharvasheersha morning and evening.
- Use only eco-friendly clay idols — avoid plaster of Paris which pollutes water bodies at Visarjan.
- Perform Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi (23 Sept) or on an earlier intermediate day per family tradition.
✗ Don'ts
- Don't offer Tulsi (forbidden for Ganesha).
- Don't see the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi night — risk of mithya-doshanam.
- Don't use plaster-of-Paris idols (causes water pollution at Visarjan).
- Don't leave the idol unattended during the puja days.
- Don't consume tamasik food (onion, garlic, meat) during the Ganeshotsav puja days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, 14 September 2026 — Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi per the amanta lunar calendar (Lahiri Chitra-paksha ayanamsa).
What is the muhurat for Ganesh murti sthapana 2026?
The Madhyahna (midday) muhurat for Ganesha murti sthapana on 14 September 2026 is from 10:35 AM to 1:09 PM IST — this is when Lord Ganesha is believed to have been born.
When is Ganesh Visarjan in 2026?
Ganesh Visarjan (Anant Chaturdashi) 2026 falls on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 — the 10th day of Ganeshotsav. Some families perform Visarjan on day 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 9 per tradition.
Why should we not see the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi?
Per the Syamantaka Mani legend, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel after viewing the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi night. Lord Ganesha had earlier cursed the moon to bring "mithya-doshanam" (false accusations) to anyone who viewed it on this night. If seen accidentally, chant the Syamantaka Mantra to nullify the dosha.
Dates computed using Lahiri (Chitra-paksha) ayanamsa for Hyderabad reference longitude. Other locations may differ by 1-2 hours for tithi start/end timings. For your specific city, use our Today's Panchangam tool.