Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Tithi, Visarjan and Significance

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, marking the beginning of the annual Ganeshotsav celebrations. In Gurgaon, the Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat is from 11:03 AM to 1:31 PM, while the main Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi will fall on September 25, 2026.

The festival is celebrated by devotees across India to worship Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally associated with wisdom, prosperity and the removal of obstacles. Ganeshotsav can continue for different durations depending on local and family traditions, with the 10-day celebration traditionally concluding on Anant Chaturdashi.

When Is Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is on September 14, Monday.

According to the Panchang calculation for Gurgaon, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at 7:44 AM on September 15. The festival day is observed on September 14.

Puja timings can vary slightly by location, so devotees should check their local Panchang for city-specific timings.

What Is the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Muhurat 2026?

The Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat is considered the preferred period for worship on Ganesh Chaturthi because traditional Hindu timekeeping associates Lord Ganesha's birth with the midday period.

For Gurgaon, the 2026 Madhyahna Puja Muhurat is 11:03 AM to 1:31 PM. For New Delhi, it is 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM, while Noida's timing is 11:02 AM to 1:30 PM.

Because muhurat timings are location-specific, people should use the timing for the city where the puja is actually being performed.

What Is the Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. Devotees worship Ganesha as a deity associated with wisdom, prosperity, good fortune and the removal of obstacles.

The festival is especially significant before new beginnings. Many devotees seek Ganesha's blessings before starting a business, moving into a new home, beginning an important project or undertaking other major life events.

Beyond its religious significance, Ganeshotsav has also become an important cultural celebration, particularly in Maharashtra, where large public pandals, processions, music and community programmes form a major part of the festival.

How Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?

Celebrations can differ between households, communities and regions, but the central tradition involves installing and worshipping a Ganesha idol.

A typical household celebration may include:

1. Bringing home the Ganesha idol on or around Ganesh Chaturthi.
2. Performing Pran Pratishtha, according to the family's religious tradition.
3. Offering flowers, durva grass, fruits and sweets.
4. Performing Ganesh Puja and aarti.
5. Offering modaks, one of the most closely associated sweets with Lord Ganesha.
6. Maintaining daily worship for the chosen duration.
7. Performing visarjan at the end of the celebration.

The exact rituals can vary according to regional customs and family traditions.

Why Are Modaks Offered to Lord Ganesha?

Modak is strongly associated with Ganesh worship and is commonly offered as prasad during Ganesh Chaturthi.

The sweet is traditionally made in several forms, including steamed modaks prepared with rice flour, coconut and jaggery. Fried versions are also popular.

In many homes, preparing modaks becomes part of the festival itself, with families making the sweet together as part of their Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

When Is Ganesh Visarjan 2026?

The main Ganesh Visarjan 2026 will take place on Friday, September 25, which is Anant Chaturdashi. This traditionally marks the conclusion of the 10-day Ganeshotsav.

However, not every household keeps the idol for the entire 10 days.

Depending on family and regional traditions, visarjan may take place after one and a half days, three days, five days, seven days or 10 days. Therefore, September 25 is the main Anant Chaturdashi visarjan date, rather than the only possible immersion day.

Why Is Ganesh Idol Immersed During Visarjan?

Ganesh Visarjan represents the conclusion of the period during which devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes or communities.

The immersion symbolically represents returning the idol to the elements and bidding farewell to Ganesha while seeking his return the following year.

The familiar farewell expression “Ganpati Bappa Morya” is commonly heard during processions and visarjan celebrations.

Where Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated Most Prominently?

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India, but Maharashtra is particularly famous for its large-scale Ganeshotsav celebrations.

Mumbai and Pune are among the cities most closely associated with grand public Ganpati celebrations. Other states and regions, including Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and parts of North India, also observe the festival with their own customs. Ganesh Chaturthi is listed as a public holiday in several states in 2026.

Mumbai's famous public celebrations include large community idols and decorated pandals, while Pune is known for its historic Ganpati mandals and processions.

Which Famous Ganesh Temples Can You Visit During Ganeshotsav?

Ganesh Chaturthi is also a popular period for devotees to visit prominent Ganesha temples.

Some well-known temples include:

These temples have different histories and local traditions, and many attract large numbers of devotees during Ganeshotsav.

Why Are Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols Becoming Important?

Eco-friendly Ganesh idols have become an increasingly visible part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations because of concerns surrounding idol immersion and water pollution.

Idols made from biodegradable materials such as natural clay are designed to dissolve more easily than idols made from materials that can persist in water. Recent festival coverage has also highlighted homemade idols made using materials such as turmeric, flour and sugar as an alternative for environmentally conscious celebrations.

Devotees can also reduce waste by avoiding excessive plastic decoration and choosing reusable or biodegradable decorative materials.

What Should You Keep in Mind for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?

If you are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at home, a few practical preparations can make the festival easier.

• Check the local puja muhurat before planning the main puja.
• Choose an idol and decoration suitable for your available space.
• Keep puja items ready before the ceremony.
• Follow your family's traditional rituals where applicable.
• Consider a natural clay or other eco-friendly idol.
• Plan visarjan arrangements in advance.
• Follow local rules for idol immersion and public celebrations.
• Avoid plastic waste and unnecessary decorations.

Religious practices can differ between families and regions, so there is no single ritual format that applies to every household.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

The tithi and puja timings shown above are based on Panchang calculations for the Delhi-NCR/Gurgaon region and can vary by location.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 FAQs

When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2026.

What is the Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 puja time?

In Gurgaon, the Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat is 11:03 AM to 1:31 PM. Delhi and Noida have slightly different local timings.

When is Ganesh Visarjan in 2026?

The main 10-day Ganesh Visarjan will take place on September 25, 2026, on Anant Chaturdashi. Some devotees perform visarjan earlier according to their family tradition.

Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha and is traditionally associated with seeking blessings for wisdom, prosperity, good fortune and the removal of obstacles.

How long is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

Ganeshotsav can be observed for different durations depending on local and family traditions. The major 10-day celebration concludes with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi.