Ganesh Chaturthi 2026

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom and new beginnings. It falls on Chaturthi tithi (fourth day) of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha. The festival spans up to ten days, culminating in Ananta Chaturdashi when the clay idol of Ganesha is immersed (visarjan) in a body of water, symbolising the cycle of creation and dissolution.

The celebration begins with Pranapratishtha — the ritual invocation of life into the clay idol. For ten days, the idol is worshipped with modak (Ganesha's favourite sweet), durva grass, red flowers, and the chanting of Ganapati Atharvashirsha. In Mumbai and Pune, the festival takes on a massive public dimension with community pandals housing towering idols, cultural programmes, and grand visarjan processions that draw millions.

Panchang guidance is essential for both the sthapana (installation) and visarjan. The Chaturthi tithi should prevail during the Madhyahna kala (midday) for the installation. A specific prohibition applies: one must not look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night, as doing so is believed to bring false accusations (Mithya Dosha), based on the Syamantaka gem legend involving Krishna.

Ganesha holds a unique position in the Hindu pantheon as the deity worshipped before all others — every puja, yagna, and auspicious undertaking begins with an invocation to him. The ten-day festival reinforces community solidarity and artistic expression, as thousands of artisans craft idols ranging from intimate household sizes to monumental public installations.