Ganeshotsav 2027

Ganeshotsav is a much-loved festival celebrated across India, especially in Maharashtra and Goa, in which Lord Ganesha is welcomed into homes and public pandals for several days. It takes place from the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada to Anant Chaturdashi.

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Families and Householders: Households welcome Ganesha into their homes for a number of days, seeking his blessings for a happy home and the removal of obstacles (Vighna Harta).
• Devotees of Ganapati: Men, women, and children alike observe the festival, worshipping Lord Ganesha for wisdom, success, and good fortune (Buddhi and Siddhi).
• Community Groups (Sarvajanik Mandals): Neighbourhoods set up large public pandals and worship together, especially across Maharashtra.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Day 1, Sthapana (Ganesh Chaturthi): The idol is installed and the Pranapratishtha is done in the midday (Madhyahna), the period considered most auspicious for Ganesha's puja. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Daily Aarti and Offerings: Morning and evening aarti and the Naivedya are offered every day that Ganesha stays in the home.
• Jyeshtha Gauri (Maharashtra): Gauri is welcomed (Avahan), worshipped (Puja), and bid farewell (Visarjan) over three days, on the Anuradha, Jyeshtha, and Mula nakshatras respectively.
• Immersion (1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days): Families immerse the idol after one and a half, three, five, seven, or ten days according to their own tradition.
• Anant Chaturdashi: The last day, when the final Visarjan is performed after an evening Uttar Puja.

The Katha (Story of Lord Ganesha's Birth)

Once, Goddess Parvati was about to bathe at Mount Kailash. She made a figure from the sandalwood paste (and turmeric) she had prepared for her bath and gave it life. She named the boy her son and asked him to guard the door while she bathed.

Shortly after, Lord Shiva returned and wished to enter. The boy, faithful to his mother's word, stopped him, saying that no one could enter. Shiva was angered by this and, in the fight that followed, his head was cut off. When Parvati came out and saw her son, she was overcome with grief and anger, and threatened to destroy the world.

Shiva, to calm her, promised to restore the boy to life. His attendants (Ganas) were sent north and brought the head of the first creature they met, an elephant. Shiva placed it on the boy's body and gave him life. He said: "You shall be the leader of all my Ganas, Ganapati, and no worship shall begin without first remembering you."

Since that day, Lord Ganesha has been worshipped first in every ritual as the remover of obstacles, and devotees welcome him every year on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before installing Ganesha:

• Idol / Image: A clay (Shadu Mati) idol of Lord Ganesha, and a Chowki covered with a clean red or yellow cloth
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Akshat (unbroken rice grains), turmeric, and sandalwood paste (Chandan)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, incense sticks, and camphor
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with clean water, mango leaves, and a coconut
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Modak (steamed or fried), laddu, fruits, and coconut, and 21 modaks if the family follows that custom
• Devotional Accessories: Durva (21 blades of grass), red hibiscus flowers, marigold garlands, Kalava (red thread), and betel leaves with nut

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 traditional clothes).
2. Clean the house and prepare a clean place in the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone), where the Chowki will be placed.
3. 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 and worship you with full devotion. Remove all obstacles from our path and bless my family with peace and prosperity."

Step 2: Sthapana and Pranapratishtha (Midday)

1. Place the Chowki with a clean cloth and spread rice grains on it, then set the idol of Ganesha on it.
2. Place the Kalash with water and a coconut beside the idol.
3. Perform the Pranapratishtha (invoking life into the idol) with the mantras recited by the family priest (or your family's own prayers).
4. Offer water for washing the feet, and offer a seat and a cloth to the Lord, welcoming him as a guest.

Step 3: Offerings to Lord Ganesha

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of Lord Ganesha.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Akshat, and Chandan to the idol.
3. Offering Durva & Flowers: Offer 21 blades of Durva, red hibiscus flowers, and a garland.
4. Offering Naivedya: Offer modaks, laddus, coconut, and fruits, and later distribute them as prasad.

Step 4: Daily Aarti and Recitation

1. Every morning and evening, light the Diya, offer fresh flowers and Durva, and offer the day's Naivedya.
2. Perform the Ganesh Aarti ("Sukhkarta Dukhharta" in Maharashtra, or "Jai Ganesh Deva") with the lit lamp, ringing a bell and singing the hymns.
3. Recite or listen to the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, the Ganesh Chalisa, or the story of Ganesha with devotion.
4. In Maharashtra, Jyeshtha Gauri is welcomed in many homes on the Anuradha nakshatra, worshipped on Jyeshtha, and bid farewell on Mula nakshatra.

Step 5: Immersion (Visarjan)

1. After the days chosen by your family (1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10), or on Anant Chaturdashi, perform the Uttar Puja with a final aarti, offering Naivedya of modak, curd with poha, and flowers.
2. Ask forgiveness for any shortcomings in the worship (Kshama Prarthana), and invite the Lord to return the next year with the words "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya."
3. Carry the idol in a procession to a river, pond, or an immersion tub at home, and gently immerse it with prayers.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Closing the Festival

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad of modak and laddu among family members, neighbours, and friends.
3. Share a simple sattvic meal together.

Ganesh Chaturthi

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.

Read the full Ganesh Chaturthi guide

Jyeshtha Gauri Avahan (Maharashtra)

Jyeshtha Gauri Avahan is the first day of the three-day Jyeshtha Gauri festival, a much-loved Maharashtrian observance in which Goddess Gauri is welcomed into the home during Ganeshotsav. It takes place in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, when the Anuradha Nakshatra is present.

Read the full Jyeshtha Gauri Avahan (Maharashtra) guide

Jyeshtha Gauri Puja (Maharashtra)

Jyeshtha Gauri Puja is the second and main day of the three-day Jyeshtha Gauri festival, a much-loved Maharashtrian observance in which Goddess Gauri is worshipped in the home during Ganeshotsav. It takes place in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, when the Jyeshtha Nakshatra is present.

Read the full Jyeshtha Gauri Puja (Maharashtra) guide

Jyeshtha Gauri Visarjan (Maharashtra)

Jyeshtha Gauri Visarjan is the third and final day of the three-day Jyeshtha Gauri festival, a much-loved Maharashtrian observance in which Goddess Gauri is bid farewell with devotion at the end of her stay. It takes place in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, when the Mula Nakshatra is present.

Read the full Jyeshtha Gauri Visarjan (Maharashtra) guide

Anant Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi is a widely celebrated observance in which devotees worship Lord Vishnu in his endless form and tie a sacred protective thread, known as the Anant Sutra. It takes place on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

Read the full Anant Chaturdashi guide