Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Vidhi, Modak and the 10-Day Guide
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 was celebrated on Monday, 14 September. The Ganeshotsav festivities are still going on and reach their final day on Friday, 25 September (Anant Chaturdashi), when most large pandals hold the main visarjan. This guide covers the date, the timing for installing the idol, simple puja steps, traditional offerings and how the ten days work.
Quick facts
- Festival date: Monday, 14 September 2026 (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi)
- Chaturthi tithi: from 7:07 AM on 14 September to 7:45 AM on 15 September
- Idol installation (Madhyahna muhurat): New Delhi 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM; Mumbai 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM; Pune 11:16 AM to 1:44 PM; Kolkata 10:18 AM to 12:46 PM
- Main visarjan: Friday, 25 September 2026 (Anant Chaturdashi)
Timings follow the city panchangs listed above. Please check your own city’s panchang.
Tithi dates and times on this page were checked against the official Rashtriya Panchang 1948 Saka (2026–27) of the Positional Astronomy Centre, India Meteorological Department (free download).
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, remembered as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. Families bring home a clay idol, and neighbourhoods set up community pandals. Public celebrations became popular in Maharashtra in the late 19th century and are now enjoyed across India.
Simple puja steps
- Clean a small space and spread a clean cloth.
- Take a sankalp, a simple resolve to begin the worship.
- Place the idol and invite Ganesha with a short prayer.
- Offer flowers, incense, a lamp and water. Traditionally there are sixteen offerings (shodashopachara).
- Offer naivedya, such as modak, and do the aarti.
- Repeat a short aarti morning and evening until the visarjan.
Small homes and busy families can keep the puja short. Sincerity matters more than length.
Traditional offerings: modak and durva
Many families offer 21 blades of durva grass and 21 modaks, a sweet dumpling of rice flour filled with coconut and jaggery. Red flowers such as hibiscus are also popular. Customs vary, so follow your family’s way.
A custom about the moon
Some families avoid looking at the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi. A traditional way to ease this worry is to listen to the Syamantaka story. This is a custom and not a rule for everyone.
How the ten days work
Many families keep the idol for a shorter time. Here are the common visarjan days in 2026:
| Duration | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 days | 15 September | Tuesday |
| 3rd day | 16 September | Wednesday |
| 5th day | 18 September | Friday |
| 7th day | 20 September | Sunday |
| Anant Chaturdashi (main visarjan) | 25 September | Friday |
Simple, kind ways to celebrate
- Choose a clay idol with natural colours.
- Use flowers and leaves, and cut back on plastic and thermocol decoration.
- Share prasad with neighbours.
- Keep music and speakers at a level that is kind to elderly people, students and patients nearby.
Frequently asked questions
When was Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026? On Monday, 14 September 2026.
Is Ganeshotsav still on? Yes, until Anant Chaturdashi on 25 September 2026.
When should the idol be installed? Traditionally at midday (Madhyahna). See the city timings above.
What comes after Ganeshotsav? Read our guide to Ganesh Visarjan 2026. Pitru Paksha then begins on 26 September, see our Pitru Paksha 2026 guide.
Sources
- Sanatana Journey: Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 date, muhurat, puja vidhi
- GaneshaSpeaks: Ganesh Visarjan 2026 dates
- Wikipedia: Ganesh Chaturthi
- Rashtriya Panchang 1948 Saka (2026–27), Positional Astronomy Centre, IMD (official; tithi times checked here)
Dates checked on 20 September 2026. Photo credits are under each photo.
