Ganesh Chaturthi

Kannada

Also known as: Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganeshotsav

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2026 Kannada Date

Ganesh Chaturthi

About Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles. In Karnataka, the festival is celebrated with great devotion, with elaborate clay Ganesha idols installed in homes and public pandals.

The ten-day festival culminates in grand immersion processions where Ganesha idols are carried to rivers and water bodies with much fanfare. Devotees sing devotional songs and dance in the streets during the procession.

Special pujas are performed on the first day (Sthapana) and the last day (Visarjan). Families prepare modak (sweet dumplings) and other traditional sweets as offerings to Lord Ganesha.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Devotees may observe a light fast on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, focusing on worship and devotion.

Sankalpa Mantra

Om Gan Ganapataye Namah, I seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles and success in all endeavours.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Install the Ganesha idol in the puja area and perform the Sthapana ritual.
Observe a light fast and eat only sattvic food during the day.
Perform daily pujas with modak, durva grass, and red flowers.
On the final day, carry the idol in a procession for immersion.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Ganesha idol (clay)Durva grassRed flowers and garlandsModak and other sweetsTurmeric and kumkumIncense and camphor

Puja Procedure:

Install the Ganesha idol and perform the Sthapana ritual.
Offer durva grass, modak, and red flowers to Lord Ganesha.
Perform daily aarti with traditional mantras.
On the final day, perform the immersion ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is modak and why is it offered to Ganesha?

Modak is a sweet dumpling made from rice flour and jaggery. It is Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet and is offered as a symbol of sweetness and prosperity.

Q: How long is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days, starting from the installation (Sthapana) and ending with the grand immersion (Visarjan) ceremony.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.