Thiruvananthapuram: The festive season will begin soon as devotees prepare to welcome Lord Ganesha home. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, with families and communities organising pujas, installing idols and preparing traditional offerings.
This year, however, the festival date has caused some confusion. While some people are asking whether Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 14 or September 15, the festival will be observed on September 14, 2026.
The reason for the confusion is that the Chaturthi tithi extends into September 15. However, the main festival and Ganesh puja will be observed on September 14.
What Is the Date of Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, September 14.
The Chaturthi tithi will begin at 7:06 AM on September 14 and end at 7:44 AM on September 15. Since the relevant tithi occurs during the prescribed period on September 14, devotees will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi that day.
Lord Ganesha holds an important place in Hindu worship. Devotees seek his blessings for wisdom, prosperity and success. He is also worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the deity of auspicious beginnings.
Ganpati Visarjan 2026 Date
Ganeshotsav traditionally concludes with Anant Chaturdashi. In 2026, Anant Chaturdashi will be observed on Friday, September 25.
Therefore, September 25 will mark the traditional 10-day Ganpati Visarjan.
At the same time, devotees can follow different immersion schedules based on family and regional traditions. Some families perform visarjan after 1.5 days, while others choose the third, fifth or seventh day.
Some calendars mention September 15 for 1.5-day visarjan, September 16 for three-day visarjan, September 18 for five-day visarjan and September 20 for seven-day visarjan.
The immersion marks an emotional farewell to Bappa. Devotees offer prayers and seek his blessings before carrying the idol for visarjan. The ritual also reflects the belief that Lord Ganesha will return the following year.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Across India
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is among the biggest centres of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Mumbai and Pune are known for large public pandals, artistic idols, cultural programmes and massive visarjan processions.
Goa
Goa celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi as Chovoth. Families traditionally bring Ganesha idols into their homes and celebrate with relatives. Homemade sweets, traditional dishes and family rituals remain important parts of the festival.
Karnataka
Karnataka gives the festival a unique cultural identity through the Gauri-Ganesha tradition. Families worship Goddess Gauri before welcoming Lord Ganesha. Homes are decorated with flowers, lamps and rangoli.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Community celebrations are common in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Devotees also prepare traditional offerings, including undrallu, during the festival.
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
Gujarat witnesses colourful community celebrations, while Madhya Pradesh combines household pujas with public festivities. Local food, music and cultural traditions add a regional touch.
Simple Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations at Home
Across India, many families prefer a simple celebration at home. They install a Ganesha idol, decorate the prayer area and prepare modaks and other offerings.
Families also light diyas, perform aarti and distribute prasad. On the chosen visarjan day, they carry the idol respectfully for immersion.
From grand pandals in Maharashtra to family celebrations in Goa and Karnataka, Ganesh Chaturthi takes different forms across India. Yet the central message remains the same — devotion, wisdom, prosperity and hope for a fresh beginning.
