Ganpati Chaturthi holds special significance in Hinduism. This festival traditionally begins on the fourth day of the lunar month Bhadrapada and concludes on Anant Chaturdashi. According to the Drik Panchang, in 2026, Ganpati Chaturthi will start on September 14th and end on September 25th, 2026, on the day of Anant Chaturdashi.
There is a religious belief that during these days, Lord Ganesha resides among his devotees and fulfills their wishes. Worship of Lord Ganesha is conducted both publicly in pandals and at home, where people install statues of Ganpati.
Ganpati Chaturthi Dates 2026
According to Drik Panchang, the Ganpati Chaturthi date will begin on September 14th at 7:06 AM and conclude on September 15th at 7:44 AM. The Visarjan (immersion of the statue) of Ganesha will take place on Friday, September 25th.
Auspicious Time for Ganpati Chaturthi Worship 2026
According to the Panchang, the auspicious time for performing Ganpati Chaturthi worship is from 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM. Devotees believe that this year's Ganpati Chaturthi is considered very auspicious because the Ravi Yoga forms on this day. Furthermore, over the 10 days between Ganpati Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi, several special planetary combinations occur. Specifically, Jupiter is in a high position in the Cancer sign, and Saturn is in retrograde motion in the Pisces sign.
Ganpati Chaturthi Worship Rituals
If you have installed a statue of Lord Ganesha at home during Ganpati Mahotsav, you should perform worship both in the morning and in the evening. At both times, it is necessary to light a lamp and perform Aarti to Lord Ganesha. During the worship, it is essential to offer yellow flowers and Durva to Lord Ganesha. After this, an offering (bhog) should be made, and Aarti performed. Throughout the festival, maintaining cleanliness and sanctity is important; it is also considered auspicious to maintain sattvic diet. Those who have installed Ganpati at home should refrain from consuming onions, garlic, meat, and alcohol during these days. Before cooking, an offering must first be made to Lord Ganesha, and then it can be consumed as prasad. On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the immersion of the Ganpati statue takes place. There is a tradition of observing a fast and worshipping Lord Ganesha while participating in the visarjan according to one's faith.
What to Offer to Lord Ganesha?
Among the most important items for worshipping Lord Ganesha are Durva and Modak. If Modak is unavailable, Laddu can be offered. It is also considered auspicious to offer yellow clothing and sindoor to Lord Ganesha. There is a belief that women should only offer flowers and yellow clothing to Lord Ganesha, not sindoor, whereas men can do so. A garland of yellow flowers can also be placed on the deity. To fulfill a special wish, there is a tradition of offering fruit garlands. If you have installed Ganpati at home, it is considered auspicious to keep a continuous ghee lamp lit throughout Ganpati Mahotsav. In the morning and evening, Aarti must be performed to Lord Ganesha using incense or a lamp.
Means for Ganpati Chaturthi
Means for Early Marriage
To remove obstacles in marriage during Ganpati Mahotsav, a special adornment of Lord Ganesha should be performed. He should be offered yellow clothing, yellow flowers, and Modak or Laddu. Then, the mantra 'Om Vignahraya Namah' must be recited 108 times. After worship, one should pray to Lord Ganesha for early marriage and finding a desired life partner. The gifted yellow clothing should be removed and carefully preserved. This ritual can be performed any morning during Ganpati Mahotsav.
Means for Childbirth
If a couple faces difficulties conceiving, during Ganpati Mahotsav, it is recommended to offer fruit garlands to Lord Ganesha. For this, fruits such as bananas, apples, grapes, and pears should be tied together with a yellow thread and offered to Lord Ganesha. After this, the Shantanga Ganpati Stotra must be recited. The husband and wife should jointly recite the mantra 'Om Umaputrayay Namah' 108 times and pray to Lord Ganesha for the birth of a child. The fruits offered to Lord Ganesha after worship should be shared among children as prasad. Traditionally, this ritual is performed over three days during Ganpati Mahotsav.
Means for Acquiring Housing or Property
If you wish to buy a house, build a new home, or realize a desire related to property, during Ganpati Mahotsav, you should offer red flower garlands to Lord Ganesha. Marigolds or roses can be used for this purpose. Along with this, red fruits, red clothing, and a copper coin should be offered to Lord Ganesha. Then, the mantra 'Om Sarvasaukhyapradaya Namah' must be recited 108 times, and one should ask Lord Ganesha for the acquisition of property.