The sacred festival of Ganesh Utsav is set to begin today, Monday, September 14, 2026. This major Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and prosperity, is celebrated with immense devotion across the country. On this day, devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes and beautifully decorated pandals. It's a religious belief that worshipping Lord Ganesha during these 10 days brings happiness, prosperity, and removes all obstacles from life. The festivities culminate on the 10th day with the immersion of the idol.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Tithi and Muhurat
According to the Hindu calendar, the Chaturthi Tithi for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 begins at 07:06 AM on September 14, 2026. The Tithi will conclude at 07:44 AM on September 15, 2026. For those performing the idol installation and puja at home, the most auspicious time (Shubh Muhurat) is between 11:02 AM and 01:31 PM on September 14. This provides a total duration of 2 hours and 29 minutes for the sthapana rituals. Also, devotees must be aware of the prohibited time for moon sighting, which is from 09:06 AM to 08:04 PM on September 14, as looking at the moon on this day is traditionally avoided. The grand conclusion of the festival, Ganesh Visarjan or Anant Chaturdashi, will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Essential Puja Samagri (Materials)
To perform the puja with complete rituals, certain materials are essential, while these include an eco-friendly idol of Lord Ganesha made of clay, a wooden platform (chowki), and a red or yellow cloth to cover it. For the Kalash Sthapana, you will need a kalash, mango leaves, and a coconut. Other vital items include 21 knots of Durva grass, roli, sandalwood, akshat (unbroken rice), kalava (sacred thread), and janeu. Lord Ganesha is particularly fond of red flowers, so ensure they're part of the offerings. For the rituals of light and fragrance, keep a lamp (diya), incense sticks (dhoop), and camphor (kapoor) ready. Finally, modaks or laddoos and various fruits are required for the bhog.
Offerings and Mantras
Modak is considered the most favorite food of Lord Ganesha and is a mandatory offering during the festival. Besides modaks, devotees can offer laddoos, puran poli, kheer or payas, and fruits like bananas and coconuts. Seasonal fruits, dry fruits, and jaggery are also offered. During the puja, chanting specific mantras is highly beneficial. The simple Ganesh Beej Mantra is 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namah', while to remove obstacles, the 'Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada' mantra is recited. The Ganesh Gayatri Mantra, 'Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat', is also chanted for spiritual wisdom.
Step-by-Step Puja Procedure
The worship begins with the decoration of the mandap and the wooden platform, while place the chowki in the temple area or the Ishaan Kon (North-East direction) of the house, cover it with a red cloth, and decorate it with flowers. During the Shubh Muhurat, respectfully install the idol of Bappa on the platform. Place a kalash filled with water along with a rice grain and a coin nearby. Take a flower and some rice in your right hand to take a 'Sankalp' (vow), praying to the Lord to fulfill your wishes. Perform the purification by sprinkling water on everyone and the idol, while apply tilak using roli, sandalwood, and akshat, and offer the kalava and janeu. Offer the 21 knots of Durva grass and red flowers with love. Present the bhog of modaks, laddoos, fruits, and betel leaves. Finally, light a ghee lamp and incense, perform the aarti with camphor, and conclude by seeking forgiveness for any unintentional mistakes during the ritual.