Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Puja Vidhi, 21 Leaves, Moon-Sighting Prohibition and Visarjan
Quick answer: On Ganesh Chaturthi, install the Ganesh idol, offer 21 durva blades and 21 types of leaves, offer modak as bhog, and avoid looking at the moon. Perform visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi after 10 days.
At a glance
- Date 2026
- Approx. 14 August 2026 (confirm with your local panchang)
- Deity
- Lord Ganesha (Ganpati, Vinayak)
- Tithi
- Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi
- Visarjan
- Anant Chaturdashi — the 10th day
- Main prasad
- Modak (steamed or besan modak)
Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi
- On Chaturthi, bathe before sunrise and wear clean clothes.
- Install the Ganesh idol — preferably clay, eco-friendly — on a red cloth. The idol should face east or north.
- Pran Pratishtha: Invoke the deity with 'Ganapatirvaaramaasthaya...' mantra and perform the life-installation ritual.
- Perform Shodashopachar puja — worship with gandh, flowers, incense, lamp, naivedya, and so on.
- Offer 21 durva (grass) blades and 21 types of leaves (bel, tulsi, shami, banana leaves, etc.) — these are most dear to Ganesha.
- Offer 21 modaks (steamed or besan) as bhog.
- Recite the Ganesh Chalisa and Ganesh Aarti.
- Distribute modak, ladoo, and fruit as prasad.
- On Anant Chaturdashi (the 10th day), perform visarjan to the accompaniment of drums, chanting 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya'.
Why Not Look at the Moon on Chaturthi?
Once, Ganesha was riding the moon. The moon, seeing Ganesha's large belly and his mouse mount, began to laugh and mock him. Ganesha, angered, cursed him — whoever sees the moon on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi shall be falsely slandered. This is why moon-sighting is forbidden on this day.
If you accidentally see the moon, chant the mantra: 'Simhah Prasenamavadhit...'
Check your local panchang for date and muhurat. Use an eco-friendly clay idol.
Frequently asked questions
Which flowers should be offered to Ganesh?
Ganesha is fond of red and yellow flowers — marigold, kaner, and red blooms. Always offer tulsi and durva. Do not offer ketaki (screwpine) flowers.
How to choose an eco-friendly Ganesh idol?
Choose an idol made of natural clay that dissolves in water. Plaster-of-Paris (PoP) idols painted with chemical colours pollute water bodies.
What is a 1.5-day home visarjan?
Some families perform visarjan on the morning of the next day (Panchami) — this is called 'Dedh Din ka Ganpati' (one-and-a-half day Ganpati). Ten days is the tradition, but visarjan on 1.5, 3, 5, or 7 days is also practised.