Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Festival dates and ritual guides

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is set to begin on Monday, September 14, marking the start of the ten-day Ganeshotsav festival. The celebration honors the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.

Devotees observe various rituals, including the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals. Key religious timings for the festival include the Madhyahna period, which is considered the most auspicious for puja. The festivities will conclude with Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, September 25.

Traditional practices associated with the festival include cleaning homes, offering specific foods like modaks, and chanting sacred mantras. Cultural expressions also include wearing traditional attire, such as the Maharashtrian nath. Religious lore warns against viewing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night to avoid false accusations, a tradition rooted in ancient mythology.