Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Festival Extends To 12 Days
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha.
In 2026, it begins on September 14.
In several parts of India, especially Maharashtra, celebrations will continue for 12 days.
They will end with idol immersions on September 25.
The longer period is linked to the way lunar days line up in the Hindu calendar.
It happened previously in 2017, nine years earlier.
However, this does not mean the festival always becomes 12 days long every nine years.
The article gives two descriptions of the starting lunar day, calling it both the fourth day and the third day of the waxing fortnight.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 will begin on September 14 and conclude with Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan on September 25.
The festival is expected to last 12 days in several parts of India, particularly Maharashtra.
The longer celebration is attributed to a rare alignment of lunar tithis in the Hindu calendar.
The 2026 observance follows the previous extended 12-day celebration in 2017, but there is no fixed nine-year rule.
Devotees will install idols, conduct daily aarti, offer sweets such as modaks, and immerse the idols on the final day.
- Who
- Devotees celebrating Lord Ganesha and communities in India, particularly Maharashtra.
- What
- A 12-day Ganesh Chaturthi, or Ganeshotsav, celebration in 2026.
- When
- September 14 through September 25, 2026.
- Where
- Several parts of India, especially Maharashtra.
- Why
- A rare alignment of lunar tithis is expected to extend the festival beyond the commonly observed 10-day period.
- Festival start
- September 14, 2026
- Festival conclusion
- September 25, 2026, on Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan
- Duration
- 12 days
- Previous extended celebration
- 2017
- Calendar basis
- Hindu lunar tithi calculations
- Main region highlighted
- Maharashtra
- Traditional activities
- Idol installation, daily aarti, offerings, processions and immersion