Ganesh Chaturthi

Major Hindu festival, celebration, puja

Public Holiday in many states (e.g., Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh); restricted holiday or regional holiday elsewhere.

Typically 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (14th lunar day of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha), but can be shorter (1.5, 3, 5, or 7 days) depending on family tradition or community practice.; Typically 1.5, 5, 7, or 10 days, culminating on Anant Chaturdashi. Some celebrations in homes or specific pandals can last up to 21 days.

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, good fortune, and the remover of obstacles. It marks his annual descent to Earth with his mother Parvati. Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. It marks the removal of obstacles and the beginning of new ventures. Devotees seek blessings for wealth, wisdom, and success.

Key Rituals & Practices

Bringing clay idols of Ganesha into homes or establishing them in elaborately decorated public pandals (temporary shrines).

Pranapratishtha (invoking life into the idol) by a priest.

Daily pujas (worship), aarti (lamp ceremony), and chanting of mantras (e.g., Om Gan Ganapataye Namaha).

Offering of modak (sweet dumplings, believed to be Ganesha's favorite), ladoos, durva grass, and red hibiscus flowers.

Devotional singing (bhajans, kirtans) and cultural programs.

Visarjan (immersion of the idol in a water body like a river, lake, or sea) at the end of the festival, symbolizing Ganesha's return to Kailash.

Sthapana (Installation) of Ganesha idols (murtis) at homes and in public pandals.

Ganesh Puja: Elaborate worship involving offerings like modaks (sweet dumplings, Ganesha's favorite), ladoos, durva grass, hibiscus flowers, coconut, jaggery.

Aarti: Singing devotional songs and prayers with oil lamps.

Recitation of Vedic mantras and Ganesha Stotras (like Atharvashirsha).

Cultural programs, devotional singing, and community feasting in public pandals.

Daily offerings and worship for the duration of the festival.

Ganesh Visarjan (Immersion): The ritualistic immersion of the Ganesha idol in a water body (river, lake, sea, or artificial pond) on the final day, symbolizing Ganesha's return to Kailash.

Associated Deities

Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha (Vinayaka, Ganapati, Ekadanta, Lambodara, etc.)

Goddess Parvati (mother)

Lord Shiva (father)

Hindu Calendar Details

Hindu Month

Bhadrapada

Paksha

Shukla Paksha (Bright Fortnight)

Tithi

Chaturthi (Fourth lunar day)

Regional Relevance & Variations

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Historical & Mythological Context

According to the most popular myth, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from the dirt of her body to guard her bath. When Lord Shiva returned, Ganesha, unaware of his father, prevented him from entering. Enraged, Shiva beheaded him. Upon Parvati's profound grief, Shiva, to appease her, replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant, making him the Lord of all Ganas (celestial attendants) and revered first among all gods. [object Object]

Alternative Names

Vinayak Chaturthi

Vinayaka Chavithi

Ganeshotsav

Vinayaka Chaturthi

Ganesh Mahotsav

Chovoth

Gregorian Date

Varies annually (typically late August or early September)