The Festival of New Beginnings
Ganesh Chaturthi — the birthday of Lord Ganesha — is one of the most joyful and widely celebrated festivals in India. It falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada, which in 2026 lands on 26 August. For ten days, Ganesha is welcomed into homes and neighbourhoods with devotion, music, and an abundance of modaks.
Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at home is one of the most meaningful things a family can do together — and it does not require elaborate arrangements. What it requires is intention, a few key elements, and a Ganpati idol worthy of the occasion.
Setting Up Your Home Puja
The idol. Traditionally, a new clay Ganesha is brought home for Chaturthi and immersed (visarjan) at the end of the festival period. But for families who wish to have a permanent Ganesha in their mandir — a 999 silver or 24K gold-plated Ganpati that remains and deepens in meaning year after year — the permanent idol is increasingly preferred. Place it on a clean, elevated surface, ideally in the northeast or facing east.
The decoration. Marigold garlands are traditional. Fresh flowers, particularly the red hibiscus (Ganesha’s preferred flower), durva grass, and banana leaves are placed before the idol. A clean new cloth — red or yellow — beneath the idol is customary.
The offerings (Prasad). Modak — the sweet dumpling — is Ganesha’s favourite offering and should be central to the prasad. Coconut, jaggery, and seasonal fruits are also traditional. The prasad is offered to the deity first and distributed to family members as blessing after the puja.
The Puja
Ganesh Chaturthi puja begins with the Pranapratistha — the invocation of Ganesha’s presence into the idol. This is followed by Shodashopachara Puja (the sixteen offerings), including: Avahana (invitation), Asana (offering a seat), Padya (water for the feet), Arghya (water offering), and Naivedya (food offering), among others.
A simplified version for home celebration: light a diya, offer flowers and incense, recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha (or simply speak to Ganesha in your own words), offer modak, and conclude with the Aarti. The practice does not require perfection — it requires sincerity.
The Days That Follow
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed for one and a half, five, seven, or ten days depending on family tradition. During this period, daily morning and evening pujas are performed. On the final day, visarjan (immersion) marks Ganesha’s return to Kailash, with the understanding that he will return again next year.
For those with a permanent silver Ganpati: the visarjan is symbolic — a prayer of gratitude and farewell that honours the tradition without requiring immersion of the idol. The permanent Ganpati remains in the mandir, and the festival simply deepens his presence there.