Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Timings, Sthapana, Rituals and Visarjan
Ganesh Chaturthi gives an element of thrill to every home where Ganpati Bappa enters. The preparations usually start many days beforeโcleaning of the house, fixing a place for the idol, decoration of the area of Puja, fixing the Kalash, flowers, Durva, Modak, and other things required for Sthapana..
In 2026, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, September 14. The festival begins with Ganpati Sthapana and continues with daily puja, bhog and aarti until the chosen Visarjan day. Families keeping Bappa until Anant Chaturdashi will perform the main Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Complete Date and Panchang
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Bhadrapada month.
Ganesh Chaturthi Date: September 14, 2026
Day: Monday
Hindu Month: Bhadrapada
Paksha: Shukla Paksha
Tithi: Chaturthi
Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 7:06 AM on September 14
Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 7:44 AM on September 15
Main Ganesh Visarjan: September 25, 2026ย
Day of Visarjan: Friday
Occasion: Anant Chaturdashi
Since Chaturthi Tithi continues until the morning of September 15, the dates can sometimes cause confusion. The main Ganesh Chaturthi celebration and Ganpati Sthapana will take place on September 14, 2026.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Sthapana and Puja Timings
Madhyahna Kala is traditionally considered especially important for Ganesh Chaturthi Puja.
the Madhyahna Ganesh Puja Muhurat is approximately:
11:02 AM to 1:31 PM
Duration: 2 hours 29 minutes
There is no uniformity in the Ganesh Chaturthi timings in India. Sunrise time and Madhyahna differ from place to place, hence the Puja Muhurat in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Bhopal, etc., can differ a bit.You can also check the Panchang for Tithi, Nakshatra, and auspicious timings according to your location.
Preparing the Home Before Ganpati Sthapana
- Before Ganpati Bappa arrives, clean the part of the house where the idol will be placed.
- Choose a peaceful spot where family members can comfortably gather for puja and aarti during Ganeshotsav.
- Place a wooden chowki or another stable raised platform at the chosen place and cover it with a clean red or yellow cloth.
- The area can be decorated with flowers, rangoli, toran and traditional decorations.
- Try to arrange all the puja items before the Sthapana Muhurat begins. It makes the puja more peaceful and avoids searching for things in the middle of the rituals.
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Samagri
Keep the commonly used puja items ready before Ganpati Sthapana.
These may include:
- Lord Ganesha idol, wooden chowki, red or yellow cloth, Kalash, clean water, coconut, leaves used for Kalash Sthapana, fresh flowers, Durva grass, Akshat, roli or kumkum, sandalwood paste, sacred thread, diya, ghee or oil, incense, fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, modaks, laddus and other Prasad.
- If Panchamrit or any additional item is traditionally used in your family, keep that ready as well.
- The exact puja samagri can differ between regions and family traditions.
Kalash Sthapana
If Kalash Sthapana is followed in your family, prepare it before the main Ganesh Puja begins.
- Take a clean Kalash and fill it with clean water according to the custom followed at home.
- Place the traditionally used leaves around the mouth of the Kalash and keep a coconut on top.
- The prepared Kalash can then be placed near the Ganpati chowki.
Ganpati Sthapana Step by Step
- Once the suitable Sthapana time begins, carefully place Ganpati Bappa on the decorated chowki.
- Make sure the idol is stable and properly positioned.
- Sit in front of Bappa and begin the worship by taking Sankalp. Water, Akshat and flowers may be held in the hand while making the Sankalp.
- Families that traditionally perform Prana Pratishtha with the help of a priest can continue with their usual practice.
- Once the Sthapana is complete, the main Ganesh Chaturthi Puja can begin.
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi Step by Step
1. Begin With Sankalp
Sit calmly in front of Ganpati Bappa and take Sankalp for the puja.
2. Remember Lord Ganesha
Begin the worship by remembering Lord Ganesha and seeking his blessings.
3. Offer Water
Offer water according to the puja tradition followed in your family.
4. Offer Tilak and Akshat
Apply sandalwood paste, roli or kumkum and offer Akshat to Lord Ganesha.
5. Offer Fresh Flowers
Place fresh flowers before Ganpati Bappa.
6. Offer Durva Grass
Durva holds a special place in Ganesh Puja. Offer fresh Durva to Bappa with devotion.
7. Offer Modak and Bhog
Modak is one of the most popular offerings made to Lord Ganesha. Laddus, fruits and other sattvic foods may also be offered.
8. Light Diya and Incense
Light the diya and incense carefully at the puja place.
Never leave a burning diya unattended.
9. Chant Ganesh Mantra
A commonly chanted Ganesh mantra is:
Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
10. Perform Ganesh Aarti
Once the offerings are complete, perform Ganesh Aarti with family members.
11. Offer Your Prayers
Pray for wisdom, peace, happiness, prosperity and the strength to deal with difficulties.
12. Distribute Prasad
After the puja and aarti, distribute the offered Prasad among family members and devotees.
In addition to festivals and astrological timing, you can delve into your Janam Kundali to see how positions of planets might affect various aspects of your life.
Daily Ganesh Chaturthi Rituals After Sthapana
- Ganpati Sthapana marks the beginning of the celebration at home.
- For every day that Bappa remains in the house, keep the puja place clean and well maintained.
- Many families perform puja and aarti in the morning and evening. Fresh flowers and Durva may be offered, along with Bhog or Prasad.
- Family members often gather together for the daily aarti, making this one of the most memorable parts of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration.
How Many Days Can Ganpati Stay at Home?
There is no single Visarjan day followed by every family.
Some devotees keep Ganpati Bappa for one and a half days, while others perform Visarjan on the third, fifth or seventh day.
Many families keep Bappa until Anant Chaturdashi, when the main Ganesh Visarjan takes place.
The duration is generally chosen according to family tradition and the Sankalp taken during Sthapana.
Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Date and Panchang
The main Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Ganesh Visarjan Date: September 25, 2026
Day: Friday
Occasion: Anant Chaturdashi
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: approximately 11:18 PM on September 24
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: approximately 11:06 PM on September 25
Families keeping Bappa until Anant Chaturdashi can perform the final puja and Visarjan on September 25.
Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Shubh Time and Muhurat
On September 25, 2026, the approximate auspicious timings for Ganesh Visarjan will be as follows:ย
Morning: 6:11 AM to 10:44 AM
Afternoon: 12:15 PM to 1:46 PM
Evening: 4:48 PM to 6:19 PM
Night: 9:17 PM to 10:46 PM
Ganesh Visarjan Choghadiya and Muhurat change according to the city because sunrise and sunset timings are location-specific.
What to Do Before Ganesh Visarjan
- The farewell to Ganpati Bappa begins with the final puja.
- Clean the puja place and prepare fresh Bhog or Prasad.
- Offer fresh flowers, Durva and Akshat to Bappa. Offer modaks, laddus, fruits or whatever Prasad has been prepared at home.
- Light the diya and perform the final aarti together with the family.
- Take a moment to thank Ganpati Bappa for being part of the home during Ganeshotsav and seek his blessings before the Visarjan.
Ganesh Visarjan Puja Vidhi Step by Step
1. Perform the Final Ganesh Puja
Begin with the last puja before the idol is moved from its Sthapana place.
2. Offer Flowers and Durva
Offer fresh flowers and Durva to Lord Ganesha.
3. Offer the Final Bhog
Offer modak, laddus, fruits or other Prasad.
4. Perform Aarti
Gather the family and perform Ganesh Aarti together.
5. Seek Bappa’s Blessings
Pray for peace, wisdom, happiness and prosperity in the family.
6. Perform Uttar Puja
Follow the Uttar Puja or concluding ritual traditionally observed in your family before moving the idol.
7. Prepare for Visarjan
Once the final rituals are complete, carefully lift the idol from its place and prepare for Visarjan.
8. Perform Ganesh Visarjan
Take Bappa for immersion during the selected auspicious time and follow the local rules for Visarjan.
During the farewell, devotees traditionally chant:
Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!
Eco-Friendly Ganesh Visarjan
If an eco-friendly clay idol has been installed, use an approved immersion facility or artificial Visarjan tank wherever available.
Remove plastic, thermocol and other non-biodegradable decorations before immersion.
Flowers and puja materials should also be disposed of responsibly rather than being left in rivers, lakes or other natural water bodies.
Things to Remember From Sthapana to Visarjan
Keep the Ganpati area clean throughout the celebration. Arrange the Kalash and puja samagri before Sthapana, use fresh flowers and Durva, and prepare Bhog hygienically.
Morning and evening worship can be performed according to the tradition followed at home.
Never leave a burning diya or incense unattended.
For the exact Ganpati Sthapana and Visarjan Muhurat, check the Panchang according to your city because timings vary with location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ganesh Chaturthi 2026
1. When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi begins at approximately 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at approximately 7:44 AM on September 15.
2. What is the Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Muhurat in 2026?
The Madhyahna period is considered especially auspicious for Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. The Ganesh Puja Muhurat will be approximately from 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM. The exact Puja timing may vary slightly depending on the city.ย
3. When should Ganpati Sthapana be done in 2026?
Ganpati Sthapana should be performed on September 14, 2026, during the appropriate Madhyahna Puja Muhurat for your location.
4. What items are needed for Ganesh Chaturthi Puja?
Common puja items include a Ganesh idol, chowki, Kalash, coconut, flowers, Durva grass, Akshat, roli or kumkum, sandalwood, diya, incense, fruits, modaks, laddus and Prasad.
5. What should be offered to Lord Ganesha during Puja?
Devotees commonly offer Durva grass, fresh flowers, modaks, laddus and fruits to Lord Ganesha. Offerings may vary according to family and regional traditions.
6. How many days can Ganpati be kept at home?
Ganpati Bappa may be kept for one and a half days, three days, five days, seven days or until Anant Chaturdashi, depending on the family’s tradition and Sankalp.
7. When is Ganesh Visarjan in 2026?
The main Ganesh Visarjan will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi.
8. What is the Anant Chaturdashi Tithi for Ganesh Visarjan 2026?
The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at approximately 11:18 PM on September 24 and ends at approximately 11:06 PM on September 25, 2026.
9. Is Ganesh Visarjan Muhurat the same in every city?
No. Ganesh Visarjan Muhurat and Choghadiya can vary from city to city because sunrise and sunset timings are location-specific. It is better to check the Panchang for your location before Visarjan.
10. Can Ganesh Visarjan be done before Anant Chaturdashi?
Yes. Depending on family tradition, Ganesh Visarjan may be performed after one and a half days or on the third, fifth or seventh day. Anant Chaturdashi is the main Visarjan day for devotees who keep Bappa until the end of Ganeshotsav.
Conclusion
Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2026. Chaturthi Tithi begins at approximately 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at approximately 7:44 AM on September 15.
The main Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026. Chaturdashi Tithi begins at approximately 11:18 PM on September 24 and ends at approximately 11:06 PM on September 25.
From preparing the Kalash and welcoming Ganpati Bappa to daily puja, aarti and the final Visarjan, each part of Ganeshotsav becomes a special memory for the family.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!




