●     Chaturthi Tithi starts at 07:06 AM on 14 September 2026

●     Chaturthi Tithi ends at 07:44 AM on 15 September 2026

●     Madhyahna Ganesh puja muhurat is between: 11:10 AM and 01:39 PM

●     Ganesh Visarjan will be performed on Friday, 25 September 2026

As per its spiritual and cultural significance, devotees worship Bhagwan Ganesh before beginning anything new, whether it's a new job, businesses, or studies. But, why? Because he is known as Vighnaharta and Prathamesh. Here, the term, “Vighnaharta” means: “the remover of obstacles,” while “Prathamesh” means: “the first bhagwan to be remembered and honored in any ritual or venture.”

Devotees also believe that his large head signifies wisdom and his calm form represents balance. Both of these qualities can also be found in the main rituals of the festival. During “Prana Pratishtha,” the divine presence of “Bhagwan Ganesh” is invoked in the idol. At the end of the festival, there comes the ritual of “Ganesh Visarjan” in which the idol of Bhagwan Ganesh is immersed in the water. Both of these rituals together symbolizes the cycle of creation, life, and return.

Ganesh Chaturthi also has a historical significance. In 1893, “Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak” (a freedom fighter), started large-scale public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra. He converted a purely family based event into a community festival and used it as a way to unite people during the freedom movement against the “British Crown rule.”

As per Hindu tradition, Mata Parvati created a young boy from the turmeric paste from her body. She brought him to life and named him “Ganesh.” She then asked him to guard the entrance while she bathed.

After some time, Bhagwan Shiv returned home. Ganesha did not know that he was his father, so he stopped Bhagwan Shiv from entering. This led to a fierce confrontation between the two.

Bhagwan Shiv became angry and severed Ganesha's head. When Maa Parvati saw what had happened, she was heartbroken and furious. She asked Bhagwan Shiv to bring her son back to life.

To fulfil her wish, Bhagwan Shiv sent his attendants to find the head of the first living creature sleeping with its head facing north. They found a “baby elephant” and brought its head back. Bhagwan Shiv placed the elephant's head on Ganesha's body and restored him to life.

On Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean clothes before preparing for the puja. Many bring a Bhagwan Ganesh idol home and place it in their home with devotion during the “Madhyahna” period (this period is considered the most auspicious time for Bhagwan Ganapati puja because as per Hindu tradition, Bhagwan Ganesha was born during Madhyahna Kala.)

Devotees offer flowers, durva grass, fruits, sweets, modaks, and other traditional offerings to Bhagwan Ganesha. Families also perform aarti and chant mantras dedicated to him like: “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha” and “Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.”

During the festival, devotees may keep the Bhagwan Ganesh idol for one and a half days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, or until Anant Chaturdashi, depending on their family or regional tradition. On the day of Visarjan, they carry the Bhagwan Ganesh idol in a procession, offer their final prayers, and immerse it in water. While bidding farewell to Bhagwan Ganesha they chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” and pray for his return the following year.

●     Wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean clothes (if possible: Red, yellow, or saffron orange)

●     Clean the puja area and place a clean cloth on a wooden chowki

●     Place the Bhagwan Ganesh idol on the chowki during the “Madhyahna” period

●     Light a diya and incense

●     Offer water, flowers, durva grass, kumkum, sandalwood, fruits, and sweets to Bhagwan Ganesh.

●     Offer modak as bhog and chant “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” and recite Bhagwan Ganesh chalisa.

●     Perform aarti with devotion and distribute the prasad among family members.

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