Ganesh Chaturthi 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Families and Households: Families welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes on this day, seeking the removal of obstacles (Vighna Harta) and peace in the household.
• Students and Seekers of Wisdom: Students and those starting new work pray to Ganesha for knowledge, clear thinking and success.
• Community Devotees: Neighbourhoods and communities install large idols and celebrate together, seeking collective prosperity and harmony.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early and prepare the puja space and the idol in the morning.
• Puja Muhurat: The Sthapana (installation) and main puja are done around Madhyahna (midday), which is regarded as the time of Lord Ganesha's birth. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Moon Sighting: Avoid looking at the Moon on this evening, as tradition says it brings false blame (Mithya Dosha); check the moonrise time for your city on this page.
• Visarjan: The idol is immersed on the day your family chooses, commonly the 1.5th, 3rd, 5th, 7th or 10th day (families differ).

About the Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, celebrated with great joy across India, and especially in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. It takes place on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Katha (Story of Lord Ganesha's Birth)

Once upon a time, Goddess Parvati was preparing for her bath at Mount Kailash. She wished for someone to guard the entrance, so she shaped a boy from the turmeric paste (Ubtan) she had prepared for her body and breathed life into him. She named him her son and asked him to let no one enter.

Soon Lord Shiva returned and found a young boy blocking the door. The boy did not know him and refused to let him in. Angered by this, a fierce battle followed, and in the end Lord Shiva cut off the boy's head. When Parvati saw her son lying lifeless, she was overcome with grief and anger, and the world trembled at her sorrow.

Lord Shiva, realising his mistake, sent his attendants to bring the head of the first living being they found facing north. They returned with the head of an elephant. Shiva placed it on the boy's body and revived him with his divine power. He blessed the child with a promise: "You shall be called Ganapati, the lord of my ganas. You will be worshipped first, before any other deity, and you will remove all obstacles from the path of those who remember you." Parvati's heart was soothed, and the gods showered the boy with boons. Since that day, devotees have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi to welcome Lord Ganesha and seek his blessings.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the midday puja:

• Idol / Image: A clay idol (eco-friendly) of Lord Ganesha, placed on a Chowki covered with a clean red or yellow cloth
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop (incense)
• Floral Offerings: Red hibiscus or other red flowers, 21 blades of Durva grass, and a garland
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Modak (steamed or fried sweet dumplings), Laddoos, fruits, and coconut
• Devotional Accessories: Kalash with water and a coconut, Kalava (sacred thread), betel leaves with a betel nut (Supari), and a new cloth (Vastra)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably red, yellow, or new clothes).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Ganesha, today I welcome you into my home with a pure heart. Remove the obstacles from our path and bless my family with wisdom, health and prosperity."
3. Keep the day pure and simple. Many families fast or eat only sattvic food until the puja is complete.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Before Madhyahna)

1. Clean the puja space and decorate it with flowers, rangoli and a small canopy if you wish.
2. Place a Chowki covered with a clean cloth, and spread a few grains of rice on it.
3. Place the Kalash filled with water and topped with a coconut on a small pile of rice near the Chowki.

Step 3: Pran Pratishtha and Offerings (Madhyahna)

1. Pran Pratishtha: Place the idol of Lord Ganesha on the Chowki and invite him with prayers, asking him to reside in the idol (Pran Pratishtha).
2. Lamp & Tilak: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before the idol, then apply Roli, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat to it.
3. Offering Flowers & Durva: Offer red flowers, 21 blades of Durva and a garland, along with the new cloth and Kalava.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Modak, Laddoos, fruits and coconut before the deity, with 21 Modak if possible.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the deity's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Ganesh Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns such as "Jai Ganesh Deva".
2. Bow before the idol with folded hands, and pray for wisdom and the removal of obstacles.
3. Do not look at the Moon in the evening, and if you do see it by chance, follow your family's tradition for removing the Dosha.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Modak and other Prasad among family members, neighbours and friends.
3. Keep the idol in the home for the days your family observes, doing daily Aarti, and then immerse it (Visarjan) with prayers, asking Lord Ganesha to return next year.