By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
MUMBAI, India | September 14, 2026 —
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is being celebrated across Ind
ia today, Monday, September 14, as devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into homes, housing societies and public pandals for the beginning of Ganeshotsav.
The most important question for devotees this morning is the timing of Ganpati Sthapana and Madhyahna Puja.
According to Panchang calculations, Chaturthi Tithi begins at approximately 7:06 AM on September 14 and continues until around 7:44 AM on September 15.
However, Ganesh Sthapana is traditionally performed during the Madhyahna period rather than immediately after sunrise.
For New Delhi, the main puja window is approximately 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM. In Mumbai, where Ganeshotsav celebrations are particularly elaborate, the Madhyahna puja period is approximately 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM.
Timings can vary slightly by city.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on:
Monday, September 14, 2026
Although devotees had seen some confusion over September 13 or September 14 because of the lunar-calendar transition, the principal celebration and Ganpati Sthapana take place on September 14.
The festival marks the beginning of Ganeshotsav, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, traditionally revered as the deity associated with wisdom, auspicious beginnings and removal of obstacles.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Muhurat
The most important period for Ganesh Puja is traditionally the Madhyahna Muhurat.
New Delhi
Ganpati Sthapana and Puja:
Approximately 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM
Mumbai
Ganpati Sthapana and Puja:
Approximately 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM
People in other cities should check locally calculated Panchang timings because sunrise and Madhyahna timings vary geographically.
Chaturthi Tithi Timing
The lunar date is expected to run approximately as follows:
Chaturthi Tithi Begins: September 14 at around 7:06 AM
Chaturthi Tithi Ends: September 15 at around 7:44 AM
This is why Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on September 14 even though Chaturthi continues into the following morning.
Why Ganpati Sthapana Is Performed at Midday
Traditional observance associates Lord Ganesha’s worship on Ganesh Chaturthi with the Madhyahna period.
Therefore, devotees generally perform the main idol installation and puja during the midday auspicious window rather than rushing to complete Sthapana early in the morning.
Families bringing Ganpati home can prepare the altar, flowers, Durva grass, modak and other puja materials before the Madhyahna period begins.
Ganpati Sthapana Vidhi
Devotees should first clean and prepare the place where the idol will be installed.
A raised platform or chowki can be covered with a clean cloth before placing the Ganesha idol.
A traditional puja may include:
- Flowers
- Durva grass
- Modak
- Fruits
- Coconut
- Incense
- Ghee lamp
- Kumkum
- Turmeric
- Betel nut
- Panchamrit
- Kalash
- Clean water
After invoking Lord Ganesha, devotees offer flowers, Durva and food before performing aarti.
Ritual practices vary between regions and families, so households may follow their traditional customs.
Why Durva and Modak Are Offered
Durva grass remains one of the best-known traditional offerings associated with Lord Ganesha.
Modak is also widely offered as prasad during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Across Maharashtra and several other states, families prepare different varieties of modak as part of the celebration.
Offerings and rituals can vary regionally, but devotion and cleanliness remain central to the observance.
Should You Look at the Moon Today?
Traditional Ganesh Chaturthi observance includes a custom of avoiding moon sighting during a specified period.
Panchang calculations cited for 2026 place the moon-sighting avoidance period on September 14 at approximately 9:06 AM to 8:04 PM, although local timing can vary.
The practice comes from a traditional religious narrative associated with Lord Ganesha and the Moon.
People following this custom should therefore check their city-specific Panchang.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Across India
Maharashtra remains at the heart of large public Ganeshotsav celebrations, with Mumbai, Pune and surrounding regions hosting thousands of public and community pandals.
However, the festival also has a major presence in:
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Delhi-NCR
- Several other parts of India
Homes and communities may keep Ganpati idols for different durations depending on tradition.
Some perform visarjan after one-and-a-half days, while others keep the idol for three, five or seven days.
Many major public celebrations continue until Anant Chaturdashi.
When Is Ganesh Visarjan 2026?
The main Ganesh Visarjan associated with Anant Chaturdashi falls on:
Friday, September 25, 2026
That marks the culmination of the principal Ganeshotsav period.
However, not every household waits until Anant Chaturdashi.
Depending on family traditions, visarjan may take place after:
1.5 days
3 days
5 days
7 days
or at the end of the full festival period.
Eco-Friendly Ganesh Chaturthi
Environmental concerns have become an increasingly important part of Ganeshotsav.
Devotees can choose idols made from natural clay and use environmentally responsible decorations.
Plastic-heavy decorations and materials that can contaminate lakes, rivers or the sea should be avoided wherever possible.
Many cities also provide artificial immersion tanks for smaller idols.
Local civic-body rules should be checked before visarjan.
Ganesh Chaturthi and Hartalika Teej Fall Together
September 14 is particularly significant in the Hindu calendar because Ganesh Chaturthi and Hartalika Teej coincide this year.
Hartalika Teej is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, while Ganesh Chaturthi begins the worship and celebration of Lord Ganesha.
Families observing both traditions should follow their established rituals and locally calculated timings.
What Devotees Should Remember Today
The most useful timing for devotees preparing for Ganpati Sthapana is the Madhyahna window.
In Delhi, the principal period begins at roughly 11:02 AM.
In Mumbai, it begins around 11:20 AM.
Therefore, devotees still preparing their puja this morning have time to organize the altar and required materials before the main worship period begins.
Ganeshotsav will then continue through the coming days, culminating for many devotees with Anant Chaturdashi visarjan on September 25.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Puja timings are based on traditional Panchang calculations and can vary by location. Devotees may follow their family tradition or locally calculated Panchang for precise city-specific timings.
