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There is no festival in India quite like it. For ten days every year, entire cities transform. Streets fill with the sound of dhol-tasha. Homes glow with decorated mandaps. The fragrance of fresh modak drifts from every kitchen. And in millions of homes and thousands of public pandals, the beloved elephant-headed Lord arrives — Ganpati Bappa, the remover of obstacles, the lord of beginnings, the most loved deity in the Hindu pantheon.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, September 14, with the grand Anant Chaturdashi visarjan on Friday, September 25. Whether you are planning an intimate 1.5-day home Ganpati, a 5-day family celebration, or a full 11-day Sarvajanik society Ganeshotsav, this complete guide covers every date, every muhurat, every tradition, and how to book the right Pandit for your celebration.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 — Date, Sthapana & Visarjan Muhurat
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the Chaturthi (4th day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. In 2026, the key timings (IST) are:
| Event | Date & Day | Timing (IST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaturthi Tithi Begins | Sep 14Monday | 7:06 AM | Tithi starts on Monday morning. |
| Ganpati Sthapana / Chaturthi | Sep 14Monday | Madhyahna: 11:02 AM – 1:31 PM | The most auspicious window to install Ganpati murti. Ganesh born during Madhyahna (midday). |
| Chaturthi Tithi Ends | Sep 15Tuesday | 7:44 AM | Tithi concludes Tuesday morning. |
| Varjit (Avoid) Moon Sighting | Sep 14Monday | 9:01 AM – 8:09 PM | Avoid seeing the moon on Chaturthi (Mithya Dosha belief). Your Pandit advises city-specific timing. |
All Visarjan Dates 2026 — Choose Your Tradition
Families keep Ganpati for different durations based on tradition, convenience, and vows. Here are all the visarjan options in 2026:
| Duration | Visarjan Date | Who Chooses This |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Day (Dedh Din) | Sep 15Tuesday Home | Most common for Maharashtrian homes. Sthapana Monday, visarjan Tuesday afternoon. |
| 3 Day | Sep 16Wednesday Home | Families who want a slightly longer celebration. |
| 5 Day | Sep 18Friday Home | Popular 5-day family tradition (Gauri-Ganpati visarjan together). |
| 7 Day | Sep 20Sunday Home | Families with a 7-day vow or tradition. |
| 10–11 Day (Anant Chaturdashi) | Sep 25Friday Society + Home | The grand finale. Society / Sarvajanik pandals and traditional homes. Massive visarjan processions across cities. |
Pandits Book Out Fastest for Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the single highest-demand puja of the entire year. In Mumbai, Pune, and across Maharashtra, Pandits are booked weeks in advance. Reserve your Sthapana muhurat slot (Sep 14) and Visarjan date as early as possible — especially for society and multi-day packages.
Reserve your Ganpati Sthapana muhurat for September 14 now.
Verified Pandits · All durations · Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Bangalore · Starting ₹2,100
Choose Your Ganpati Puja Package
From a single Sthapana ceremony to a 5-day family celebration, we have a package for every home. Every package includes a verified Pandit, complete vidhi, and a samagri checklist.
Ganpati Sthapana
Single Sthapana (Pran Pratishtha) ceremony on Ganesh Chaturthi day. Ideal if a family member will do daily aarti themselves.
- Ganpati Pran Pratishtha
- Sankalp + Shodashopachar Puja
- Ganpati Atharvashirsha recitation
- First Aarti + Modak Naivedyam
- Samagri checklist provided
Sthapana + Visarjan
Complete Dedh Din package. Pandit for Sthapana on Sep 14 and Uttar Puja + Visarjan on Sep 15. The classic Maharashtrian home tradition.
- Ganpati Sthapana & Pran Pratishtha
- Ganpati Atharvashirsha + Aarti
- Uttar Puja before Visarjan
- Visarjan vidhi & procession guidance
- Complete samagri checklist
3-Day Ganpati Puja
Sthapana + daily aarti for 3 days + Visarjan on Sep 16. For families who want a fuller celebration.
- Sthapana + Pran Pratishtha
- Daily morning & evening aarti (Pandit on call)
- Ganpati Atharvashirsha daily
- Uttar Puja + Visarjan
- Samagri + prasad guidance
5-Day Ganpati Puja
Sthapana + 5 days of aarti + Gauri puja (Jyeshtha Gauri) + Visarjan on Sep 18. The traditional Gauri-Ganpati combined celebration.
- Sthapana + Pran Pratishtha
- Jyeshtha Gauri Aavahan & Puja
- 5 days morning & evening aarti
- Uttar Puja + Visarjan
- Complete samagri checklist
Special: 11-Day Society / Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Package
11-Day Society Ganeshotsav
Full Sarvajanik package for housing societies, RWAs, and locality committees. Dedicated Pandit for the entire festival, Sthapana to Visarjan.
- Grand Sthapana & Pran Pratishtha
- Daily aarti — all 11 days
- Atharvashirsha Avartan daily
- Mahaprasad & cultural coordination
- Uttar Puja + grand Visarjan procession
- Multiple Pandits available
Organizing a society Ganeshotsav? Get a dedicated Pandit for all 11 days.
Sthapana to Visarjan · Daily aarti · Multiple Pandits for large pandals · Custom society quote
Ganesh Chaturthi Across India — Regional Traditions
Ganpati belongs to all of India, but every region celebrates him in its own beautiful way. Puja Purohit provides Pandits trained in each tradition:
Maharashtra (Marathi)
The grandest celebration. Started as Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 in Pune. Shadu mati murtis, modak naivedyam, Atharvashirsha, dhol-tasha, Gauri-Ganpati. Mumbai & Pune are the epicenter — Lalbaugcha Raja, Dagdusheth Halwai.
North India (Hindi)
In Delhi NCR, UP, MP, Rajasthan — Ganesh Chaturthi is observed with home Sthapana, Vinayaka Vrat, and modak/laddu bhog. Often combined with the broader 10-day celebration. Growing society pandals in Delhi NCR, Noida & Gurugram.
Bengal (Bengali)
Bengali tradition observes Ganesh Puja with Dhak drums, alpana (rangoli), and Ganesh worshipped alongside Lakshmi as a symbol of prosperity. In Bengali households Ganesh is also worshipped during Durga Puja as Goddess Durga's son.
South India (Vinayaka)
Called Vinayaka Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chavithi. In Karnataka, Andhra & Tamil Nadu — clay Vinayaka, Ganapathi Homam, 21 varieties of patri (leaves), Undrallu & Kozhukattai. Bangalore & Hyderabad have grand celebrations.
Ganpati Sthapana Puja Vidhi — Step by Step
Preparation & Chowki Setup
A wooden chowki (platform) is placed in the cleaned puja space, covered with a fresh red or yellow cloth. A bed of rice (akshata) is laid where the murti will sit. The mandap is decorated with flowers, marigold torans, and banana leaves. The Ganpati murti is placed facing east or north.
Sankalp & Kalash Sthapana
The Pandit performs the Sankalp — the family's name, gotra, and the intention of welcoming Ganpati for the chosen number of days is declared. A Kalash (sacred pot with water, mango leaves, coconut) is established beside the murti as a seat of divine energy.
Pran Pratishtha — Invoking Life
The most important step — Pran Pratishtha. Through specific mantras, the Pandit invokes the living presence of Lord Ganesha into the clay murti. From this moment, the murti is no longer clay — it is Bappa himself, present in your home. The eyes are ceremonially opened with kajal/honey.
Shodashopachar Puja — 16 Offerings
Ganpati is worshipped with the 16 traditional offerings (Shodashopachar): aavahan, asana, padya, arghya, snana (bath), vastra, gandha (sandalwood), akshata, pushpa (flowers), dhupa (incense), deepa (lamp), naivedya (food), and more. Durva grass (21 blades) and red hibiscus — Ganesha's favourites — are offered with special mantras.
Ganpati Atharvashirsha & Modak Naivedyam
The Pandit recites the Ganpati Atharvashirsha — the most sacred hymn to Lord Ganesha. Modak (Ganesha's beloved sweet — 21 are traditionally offered), banana, and other naivedyam are offered. The 21 modak and 21 durva represent complete devotion.
Aarti — Sukhkarta Dukhharta
The first aarti is performed — the beloved "Sukhkarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi" aarti written by Samarth Ramdas, sung in every Ganpati home across Maharashtra and India. The family gathers, claps, and welcomes Bappa with full devotion. Prasad is distributed.
Let a verified Pandit perform your Ganpati Sthapana with complete vidhi.
Pran Pratishtha · Atharvashirsha · Aarti · Modak Naivedyam · Marathi, Hindi, Bengali & South Indian
Ganpati Sthapana Samagri List
Visarjan Vidhi — Sending Bappa Home with Love
The visarjan (immersion) is both joyful and emotional. The vidhi ensures Bappa departs with full honour and the promise to return:
Uttar Puja — The Farewell Worship
Before visarjan, the Pandit performs the Uttar Puja — a final worship thanking Ganpati for his visit, offering modak, aarti, and seeking forgiveness for any errors during the days of worship. The Akshata is offered and the murti is ceremonially prepared to leave.
Moving the Murti — Gulal & Procession
The murti is gently lifted (traditionally turned slightly to symbolize departure), and carried in procession with gulal (colour), flowers, dhol-tasha, and chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!" For societies, this becomes a grand community procession to the immersion point.
Visarjan — The Immersion
At the water body (or an eco-friendly home immersion tank / artificial pond), the murti is immersed with final prayers. The dissolution of the clay form symbolizes the cycle of creation and dissolution — Bappa returns to the cosmos, taking the family's obstacles and troubles with him.
Why Families & Societies Trust Puja Purohit
Tradition-Matched Pandits
Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, or South Indian Pandit — matched to your family's tradition and language.
Samagri Checklist
Complete tradition-specific samagri list sent 48 hrs before. Eco-friendly murti guidance included.
On-Time at Muhurat
Sthapana muhurat cannot be missed. Pandit arrives at the confirmed time — or we reschedule at zero cost.
Pan-India Cities
Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Noida, Gurugram, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai & 50+ cities.
Society Specialists
Dedicated 11-day society packages with multiple Pandits and full committee coordination.
WhatsApp Coordination
Booking, samagri list, Pandit contact, daily aarti scheduling — all on WhatsApp.
Ganpati Bappa Morya — He Is Coming Home
Every year, for ten days, the universe's most beloved deity becomes a member of your family. He sits in your home, accepts your modak, listens to your aarti, and quietly takes away the obstacles you have carried all year. Then, with gulal and drums and tears of joy, you send him off with the promise: come again early next year. Don't let the planning stress steal this joy. Book your Pandit, prepare your mandap, and simply be present for Bappa's visit. Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya!
Frequently Asked Questions — Ganesh Chaturthi 2026
When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is on Monday, September 14, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 7:06 AM on Sep 14 and ends at 7:44 AM on Sep 15. The Madhyahna Sthapana muhurat (most auspicious for installing Ganpati) is approximately 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM on September 14.
When is Ganpati Visarjan 2026?
The main visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi is Friday, September 25, 2026. Other options: 1.5-day (Sep 15), 3-day (Sep 16), 5-day (Sep 18), 7-day (Sep 20). You choose based on your family or society tradition.
What is the cost of booking a Pandit for Ganpati puja?
Ganpati Sthapana starts from ₹2,100. Sthapana + Visarjan from ₹3,500. 3-day from ₹5,100, 5-day from ₹7,500. The 11-day society / Sarvajanik Ganpati package starts from ₹15,000. Prices vary by city and are confirmed at booking.
What is the 11-day society Ganeshotsav package?
It is a dedicated package for housing societies, RWAs, apartment complexes, and locality committees organizing a public Sarvajanik Ganpati. It includes a Pandit for the full 11 days — grand Sthapana, daily morning & evening aarti, Atharvashirsha Avartan, Mahaprasad coordination, Uttar Puja, and the grand Visarjan procession. Multiple Pandits are available for large pandals. Starts from ₹15,000 with custom quotes based on scale.
Which day visarjan should I choose for home Ganpati?
The most common home tradition is 1.5 day (Dedh Din) — Sthapana Monday Sep 14, visarjan Tuesday Sep 15. Many families also do 5-day (with Gauri-Ganpati, visarjan Sep 18). There is no "wrong" choice — it depends on your family's tradition, vows, and convenience. Societies typically go for the full 11 days.
Do you provide Pandits for all regional traditions?
Yes. We provide Marathi Pandits (Maharashtrian tradition with Atharvashirsha & Gauri-Ganpati), Hindi/North Indian Pandits, Bengali Pandits, and South Indian Vadhyars (Vinayaka Chaturthi with Ganapathi Homam, patri puja). Specify your tradition when booking and we match the right priest.
Should I avoid seeing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi?
Traditionally, yes — viewing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to bring Mithya Dosha (false accusation), based on a Puranic story. The moon-avoidance window in 2026 is approximately 9:01 AM to 8:09 PM on September 14. If seen accidentally, reciting the Syamantaka Mani shloka is the remedy. Your Pandit provides city-specific moon-avoidance timing. This is a belief many families observe, though devotion and intention matter most.
How do I book a Pandit for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
Visit pujapurohit.in/puja-service/pandit-for-ganesh-chaturthi-puja, select your city, package (Sthapana, Sthapana + Visarjan, 3-day, 5-day, or society Ganpati), and tradition. A verified Pandit is assigned within 30 minutes with WhatsApp confirmation and samagri checklist. Book early — Ganesh Chaturthi is the highest-demand puja of the year.
