Ganesh Chaturthi: At a Glance
- Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Date 2026: Monday, 14th September (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi also known as Chavithi)
- Nimmajanam (also known as Visarjan): Friday, 25th September 2026 (Anantha Chaturdashi
- Significance: Sri Ganesha's birthday
- Importance: Every household installs clay Ganesha and worships with devotion for year long Divine protection and blessings
- Important Ritual: Ekavinsati Patri Puja, worshipping with 21 varieties of leaves.
- Special Naivedyam: Undrallu, Modak, Laddu and fruits: coconut, bananas and other seasonally available fruits.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi, is a nine-day festival celebrated by every household across India on Bhadrapada Shukla (or Suddha) Chaturthi day.
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birthday of Ganesha, the elder son of Shiva and Parvati Devi (as per North Indian, He is the second son). Every social and religious function begin with the powerful Ganesha Mantra: Shuklambaradharam. For every function or venture, the initial puja is performed to Ganesha only to ward off evil energies and get Divine protection so that the celebration to go smoothly without any obstacles.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi signifies the birth of Ganesha, who is an embodiment of wisdom and knowledge.
Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Ganesh Navratri (nine-nights festival) is celebrated with intense devotion and high spirits by the Hindus. On this day, Ganesha is specially worshipped as Maha Ganadhipati (the Supreme Commander of the Ganas). And as Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swami (The Wish-Fulfiller).
Ganas are the celestial army, companions and loyal attendants of Shiva. And Ganesha is the Adhipati (Supreme Leader) of all the Ganas. That's why Ganesha is known as Ganadhipa or Ganadhipati.
Importance of Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesha is known by various names that include Vighneswara (the God of obstacles), Ganadhipati or Gandhipa, and Vighnaharta (the Destroyer of all kinds of Obstacles).
Devotees who worship Ganesha with true devotion will get rid of all obstacles and will be successful in their life. They will have the Divine protection and negative energies do not dare to touch the person.
History Behind Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in India
In the old days Ganesh Chaturthi was simply celebrated in the households. Ganesh Chaturthi Puja is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. There is mention of worship to Ganesha on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi day in the story of Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. In the Dwapara Yuga, Sri Krishna mentions about Ganesh Chaturthi puja. And even Sri Krishna used to worship Ganesha.
In the olden days, people used to make eco-friendly Ganesha idols with clay and were using natural colours. They used to collect fresh flowers and Ekavinsati Patri from their backyard only.
According to historical evidence, the Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji had initiated Ganesh Chaturthi as a public festival celebration to promote nationalism.
The festival celebration represented our distinct cultural identity and unity. During the colonial rule, the festival celebration lost its glory due to western influence. The festival was celebrated only by few Hindu families at home.
At the end of 19th century, the social reformer and freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived the tradition of Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in the public platform in a grand way. The festival was celebrated in the entire state of Maharashtra and the celebrations gradually spread to other states.
Presently, the festive celebrations have taken a completely transformed in metros like Mumbai and Hyderabad. Ganesh Utsav (festival) is celebrated with high competitive spirits. with the installation of massive, gigantic Ganesha idols with varieties of themes. Besides its spiritual importance, the festival carries cultural significance and spirit of unity.
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Celebrations
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| Khairatabad Ganesha Idol, Hyderabad |
Festive celebrations start well in advance with theme decorations, lightings and all other modern day attractions. At a auspicious time, Ganesha idol is taken in a procession with musical beats and installed in the pendals.
Ganesha is born in the 'Madhyanna Kala' i.e. at forenoon and so the Puja is performed mostly in the forenoon time only and not early in the mornings unlike most of the pujas.
On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the priests chant Vedic Mantras to invoke the god that is they do 'Prana Pratishtha. Then they perform 'Shodashopachara Puja' in the prescribed manner. The most important part of Ganesha Puja is Ekavinsati Patri Puja when Ganesha is worship with 21 varieties of leaves.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for continuous 9 days from Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi day till Ananta Chaturdashi day. During this 9-day period of Ganesha Navatri, Ganesha idols are installed in public pendals and worshipped in public gathering. On the 10 day, these idols are taken in grand gala processions and are immersed in the nearby water sources. This immersion of idols is known as Ganesh Nimajjanam (or Visarjan in Hindi).
Ganesha idols are made in different styles / figures and devotees worship for 5-9 days with much devotion. After pooja, special naivedyam called 'modak' / undrallu or kudumulu in Telugu, is offered to Ganesha. On the 10th day, Ganesha Nimmajjan is performed in a grand way in a procession. Devotees sing and dance and shout 'Ganapati Bappa Moriya, agle baras tu chaldi aa' (in Marathi language 'purchya varshi laukariya') which means 'O Father Ganapati, come early next year'.
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Celebrations at Home
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in each and every house irrespective of caste and creed. People place small clay or eco-friendly Ganesha idol in the Puja Mandap. All the family members sit together to perform pooja and worship with devotion. Children enjoy the festival very much as they too are actively involved in the festive celebrations.
At the end of the Puja, Vinayaka Chavithi Vrata Katha (story) is read by one of the family members. And all the members must listen to the story. Once the story is completed, the head of the family sprinkles 'Akshantalu' on everyone. And this conpletes the Puja Vidhanam.
As per the Vrata Katha, if people see the crescent moon on the Ganesha Chaturthi day without listening to the story, then they will be falsely accused because of the curse to Moon by Parvati Devi. To avoid such false accusations, one has to compulsorily listen to the story and then get Akshantalu put on their head.
Generally 'udyapana' is done on the next day while others do it on the 3rd day or 5th depending on their custom / convenience.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
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