Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Sthapana Dates, Muhurat and Puja Guide
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrating Lord Ganesha.
In 2026, the main festival day is Monday, September 14.
Families may bring a Ganesha idol home on September 13 if that is their tradition.
However, the formal installation and main prayers are usually done on September 14.
The best prayer time is around midday, but the exact time depends on the city.
Families prepare a clean platform, flowers, durva grass, lamps, fruits and modaks.
The ceremony may include prayers, placing the idol, offerings and aarti.
Some families keep the idol for one and a half, three, five, seven or ten days.
Many perform immersion on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 25, 2026.
Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The Chaturthi Tithi runs from 7:06 AM on September 14 to 7:44 AM on September 15.
Formal Ganpati Sthapana and puja are generally performed during the Madhyahna period on September 14.
Madhyahna puja timings vary by city, including 11:02 AM–1:31 PM in New Delhi and 11:20 AM–1:48 PM in Mumbai.
Families may bring the idol home on September 13 according to tradition, while Visarjan may occur after 1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days, with Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.
- Who
- Devotees and families worshipping Lord Ganesha.
- What
- Ganesh Chaturthi, including the arrival, formal installation, puja and eventual immersion of a Ganesha idol.
- When
- The main festival is September 14, 2026; the Chaturthi Tithi runs from September 14 to September 15, and Anant Chaturdashi is September 25.
- Where
- In devotees' homes and puja spaces; exact timings vary by city and Panchang.
- Why
- To welcome and worship Lord Ganesha and seek blessings during the festival.
Early Arrival Tradition
Main Sthapana Date
When to bring the idol home
Early Arrival Tradition
Some families may bring Ganpati Bappa home on the evening of September 13 as part of their family or regional tradition.
Main Sthapana Date
The formal Ganpati Sthapana and Pranapratishtha should not be treated as occurring on September 13; the main installation and puja date is September 14.
How to determine the puja time
Early Arrival Tradition
Families following a specific tradition, sampradaya or priest-led ceremony should follow those instructions.
Main Sthapana Date
Devotees using Panchang-based timings should follow their city's Madhyahna muhurat because the listed window differs by location.
Idol immersion timing
Early Arrival Tradition
Many households perform Visarjan after 1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days according to family or regional custom.
Main Sthapana Date
The customary broader celebration culminates with Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, September 25, 2026.
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Monday, September 14, 2026
- Chaturthi Tithi
- 7:06 AM on September 14 to 7:44 AM on September 15
- New Delhi Muhurat
- 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM on September 14
- Mumbai Muhurat
- 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM on September 14
- Other Listed Timings
- Pune: 11:16 AM–1:44 PM; Kolkata: 10:18 AM–12:46 PM; Chennai: 10:51 AM–1:18 PM
- Common Puja Materials
- Ganesha idol, chowki, red or yellow cloth, kalash, durva grass, flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, modaks, fruits, diya and incense
- Visarjan
- Families may immerse the idol after 1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days; Anant Chaturdashi falls on Friday, September 25, 2026
- Environmental Choice
- Eco-friendly clay or shadu maati idols are suggested as a way to reduce the environmental impact of immersion
