Ganesh Chaturthi गणेश चतुर्थी
Falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi · usually August–September
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, usually in August–September. Ganesha is invoked before any new venture; the festival brings communities together to install, worship and then lovingly bid farewell to the deity.
Ganesh Chaturthi at a glance
| Falls on | Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi |
| Usual month | August–September |
| Category | Festival |
The story behind Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings, created by Parvati and given an elephant’s head by Shiva. The public festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak as a unifying community celebration.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha is invoked before any new venture; the festival brings communities together to install, worship and then lovingly bid farewell to the deity.
How Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated
- Installing a clay Ganesha idol (pranapratishtha) at home or in pandals
- Daily worship with modak, durva grass and red flowers for 1½ to 10 days
- Aarti (Sukhkarta Dukhharta) and Atharvashirsha recitation
- Visarjan — immersing the idol on the final day with ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’
Regional variations
Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka celebrate most grandly, with vast public pandals in Mumbai and Pune; Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu also observe it widely.
Festive foods of Ganesh Chaturthi
Traditional dishes prepared for Ganesh Chaturthi include modak (steamed ukadiche modak), motichoor laddu, karanji, puran poli.
Quick tips
- Choose eco-friendly clay idols and natural colours
- Offer modak and durva; immerse responsibly at visarjan
Choosing the muhurat on Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi in the Hindu lunar calendar, usually in August–September. The exact Gregorian date changes each year — confirm with your local panchang or the panchang calendar.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings, created by Parvati and given an elephant’s head by Shiva. The public festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak as a unifying community celebration.
How is Ganesh Chaturthi observed?
Common observances include Installing a clay Ganesha idol (pranapratishtha) at home or in pandals; Daily worship with modak, durva grass and red flowers for 1½ to 10 days; Aarti (Sukhkarta Dukhharta) and Atharvashirsha recitation; Visarjan — immersing the idol on the final day with ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’.
How is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in different regions?
Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka celebrate most grandly, with vast public pandals in Mumbai and Pune; Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu also observe it widely.
What foods are made for Ganesh Chaturthi?
Traditional dishes include modak (steamed ukadiche modak), motichoor laddu, karanji, puran poli.