
Ganesh Visarjan will take place on “Friday, 25 September 2026,” on the occasion of “Anant Chaturdashi.” It marks the conclusion of the “Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations,” when devotees like us lovingly bid farewell to “Ganpati Bappa” after welcoming him to stay with us in our homes.
Point to consider: The exact visarjan timing varies from one city to another. Hence, you should check your local Panchang.
Ganesh Visarjan reminds us that “physical form” is “temporary.” The clay idol of Bhagwan Ganesh that we lovingly welcomed into our home, returns to the water and becomes one with nature again.
For us devotees, this sacred activity carries a deeper spiritual meaning - “Bappa's form may disappear from our eyes, but his presence remains in our hearts.” The visarjan teaches us to let go with faith, while carrying the good values and blessings of Bhagwan Ganesha into our daily lives.
Devotees also believe that as Ganpati Bappa leaves, he takes away all of their troubles and obstacles, while blessing the home he was worshipped in with “peace, prosperity, and happiness".
One popular story links Ganesh Visarjan to “Sage Ved Vyasa” and the writing of the “Mahabharata.” Sage Ved Vyasa asked Bhagwan Ganesha to write down the Mahabharata as he narrated it. Bhagwan Ganesha agreed, but on one condition: “Vyasa could not pause the narration.” For ten days, Bhagwan Ganesha wrote without stopping even once. The effort made Bhagwan Ganesha's body “extremely hot.” Upon seeing this, Sage Vyasa bathed him with water to cool him down.
In certain traditions, this story explains the connection between “Bhagwan Ganesha and water” during the festival.
Before the immersion, families perform the concluding puja and aarti. Devotees chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” as they carry the idol to the immersion site, while offering flowers as per family tradition.
In Maharashtra, especially Mumbai and Pune, Visarjan becomes a grand community celebration. Streets fill with dhol-tasha, bhajans, dancing, and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” Mumbai's final day sees large processions and immersions at “Girgaon Chowpatty” and other designated sites. Pune is known for its “Dhol-Tasha Pathaks” and the processions of the city's revered “Manache Ganpati.”
The scale at which devotees celebrate Ganesh Visarjan differs from city to city, but the feeling remains the same. Families and communities come together to bid farewell to Bappa with bhajans, dhol, dancing, and prayers.
If you are performing Ganesh Visarjan, you can follow these simple steps:
The main Ganesh Visarjan will take place on 25 September 2026 (Friday), on Anant Chaturdashi.
If you are choosing an idol for immersion, check that it is made from natural clay and before immersion:
No. A permanent brass, stone, metal, or other home-mandir murti should not be immersed like a temporary festival idol.