There is a special warmth in preparing for Ganesh Chaturthi: a freshly cleaned puja corner, flowers arranged with care, modaks prepared with affection and a family ready to welcome Bappa.
गणपती बाप्पा मोरया!
For devotees, this is more than decoration. It is an invitation to begin again—with wisdom, gratitude and kindness. Let the celebration also reflect care for our lakes, ponds, soil and neighbourhoods.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: dates and puja timings
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Monday, 14 September 2026. Chaturthi tithi begins at 7:06 AM on 14 September and ends at 7:44 AM on 15 September. The principal Ganesh Visarjan observance on Anant Chaturdashi falls on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Ganapati sthapana and puja are traditionally preferred during Madhyahna. All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST / GMT+05:30). Clock times vary by city.
| City | Madhyahna Ganesh puja — 14 September 2026, IST |
|---|---|
| Jaipur | 11:08 AM–1:36 PM |
| New Delhi | 11:02 AM–1:31 PM |
| Mumbai | 11:20 AM–1:48 PM |
| Pune | 11:16 AM–1:44 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 11:21 AM–1:49 PM |
| Bengaluru | 11:02 AM–1:28 PM |
| Hyderabad | 10:58 AM–1:25 PM |
| Chennai | 10:51 AM–1:18 PM |
| Kolkata | 10:18 AM–12:46 PM |
The widely shared 11:02 AM–1:31 PM window applies to New Delhi; Jaipur’s is 11:08 AM–1:36 PM. Confirm your city’s timing and family practice with Pandit Ji or the Pujari. Source: Drik Panchang
Jaipur Panchang: 14 September 2026, day and night
Detailed Panchang timings below are for Jaipur, Rajasthan, IST / GMT+05:30. Panchang dates run from sunrise to the following sunrise; times after midnight belong to 15 September.
| Vaar | Monday / सोमवार |
|---|---|
| Maas and Paksha | Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha |
| Tithi | Tritiya until 7:06 AM; then Chaturthi until 7:44 AM on 15 September |
| Nakshatra | Chitra until 1:55 PM; then Swati through the night |
| Yoga | Brahma until 12:47 PM; then Indra |
| Sunrise / sunset | 6:12 AM / 6:33 PM |
| Moonrise / moonset | 9:09 AM / 8:13 PM |
| Brahma Muhurta | 4:39–5:25 AM |
| Abhijit Muhurta | 11:58 AM–12:47 PM |
| Sayahna Sandhya | 6:33–7:43 PM |
| Nishita Muhurta | 11:59 PM–12:46 AM, ending 15 September |
| Rahu Kalam | 7:44–9:17 AM |
Day and night Choghadiya — Jaipur
| Day, 14 September | Choghadiya | Night, 14–15 September | Choghadiya |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:12–7:44 AM | Amrit | 6:33–8:00 PM | Char |
| 7:44–9:17 AM | Kaal; Kaal Vela | 8:00–9:28 PM | Rog |
| 9:17–10:50 AM | Shubh | 9:28–10:55 PM | Kaal |
| 10:50 AM–12:22 PM | Rog | 10:55 PM–12:22 AM | Labh; Kaal Ratri |
| 12:22–1:55 PM | Udveg | 12:22–1:50 AM | Udveg |
| 1:55–3:27 PM | Char | 1:50–3:17 AM | Shubh |
| 3:27–5:00 PM | Labh; Vaar Vela | 3:17–4:45 AM | Amrit |
| 5:00–6:33 PM | Amrit | 4:45–6:12 AM | Char |
General Choghadiya and the festival-specific Madhyahna sthapana muhurat use different considerations. Do not replace the Madhyahna puja window with a Choghadiya interval; consult Pandit Ji for your ritual. Source: Jaipur Choghadiya
Is visarjan performed on Ganesh Chaturthi itself?
Ganesh Chaturthi marks Bappa’s welcome; visarjan is the concluding farewell. Some families perform it on the same day after puja. Others keep Bappa for one and a half, three, five or seven days, or until Anant Chaturdashi. Follow your family’s observance. A permanent murti already worshipped at home is not ordinarily immersed merely because the festival has arrived.
Choose Bappa’s murti with care for nature
For home immersion, consider a small, unbaked, unpainted natural-clay idol without glitter, varnish or synthetic decorations. Ask the artisan about plaster of Paris, binders, paints and disposal instructions. “Organic” alone does not establish whether an idol is environmentally suitable.
Prepare a meaningful home puja
Arrange a clean, stable platform with a fresh cloth and reusable decorations. Keep diyas away from fabric and supervise children around flames. Welcome Ganesh Ji with a sincere sankalp. For formal sthapana and detailed puja vidhi, take guidance from Pandit Ji or the Pujari.
Modaks or laddoos, durva and flowers are familiar offerings. Where it is your family custom, prepare 21 modaks or laddoos, 21 durva offerings and red flowers. These numbers should never become a financial burden or a reason for anxiety.
Ganesh vandana with Hindi meaning
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
सरल हिंदी अर्थ: हे वक्रतुण्ड, विशाल स्वरूप वाले और करोड़ों सूर्यों के समान तेजस्वी प्रभु, मेरे सभी शुभ कार्यों की बाधाएँ दूर कीजिए।
The following original verse is written for this article, not presented as scripture or a traditional bhajan:
हे गणराया, घर में आओ,
मन में शुभ संकल्प जगाओ।
वाणी में मधुरता भर दो,
सेवा की तुम राह दिखाओ।
फूल चढ़ाएँ, दीप जलाएँ,
मिलकर तेरा नाम हम गाएँ।
जल और धरती निर्मल रखें,
ऐसा उत्सव आज मनाएँ।
Words that bring the family together
“गणपती बाप्पा मोरया!” is a beloved devotional जयघोष. At the farewell, “पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या!” expresses the affectionate wish: अगले वर्ष जल्दी आइए!
In everyday Hindi, “श्रीगणेश करना” means making a beginning. This year, श्रीगणेश करें एक अच्छी आदत का—sharing, reducing waste or caring for the neighbourhood.
“बप्पा का स्वागत श्रद्धा से, विदाई प्रकृति की रक्षा के साथ।”
Home visarjan: a gentle farewell
For a suitable small clay idol, prepare a large, stable basin or tub at home rather than adding immersion residue to lakes and ponds. Pollution-control guidance encourages appropriately arranged household or community immersion tanks.
- Choose a container with enough space for the idol and water, without overflow.
- Complete the farewell puja and aarti according to your family’s practice.
- Remove detachable jewellery, fabric and decorations; separate flowers and food offerings.
- Lower the idol gently into the water. Let suitable clay soften naturally; do not add chemical dissolvers.
- Arrange appropriate collection or recovery of remaining clay. Do not pour slurry into drains, lakes or ponds.
What to wear: faith first, comfort always
Choose clean clothing that suits your family’s customs and allows you to sit, move and serve comfortably. A relaxed cotton kurta, kurti, dress or coordinated set can be a practical festive choice in warm weather. Secure sleeves and dupattas near diyas.
The following guides are optional colour inspiration—not Ganesh-puja rules. Astrology and numerology are belief traditions; no colour makes a devotee more deserving of Bappa’s blessings.
Sun-sign-inspired festive cotton colours
| Sun sign | Suggested palette | Outfit idea |
|---|---|---|
| Aries / मेष | Red, coral | Coral cotton with cream |
| Taurus / वृषभ | Green, soft pink | Floral cotton set |
| Gemini / मिथुन | Yellow, light green | Yellow printed kurta |
| Cancer / कर्क | Ivory, pearl white | Ivory cotton with a subtle border |
| Leo / सिंह | Saffron, golden yellow | Marigold cotton set |
| Virgo / कन्या | Sage, earthy beige | Sage cotton with beige |
| Libra / तुला | Blush pink, pale blue | Pastel floral cotton |
| Scorpio / वृश्चिक | Maroon, deep red | Maroon with cream |
| Sagittarius / धनु | Purple, plum | Plum print |
| Capricorn / मकर | Earth brown, deep green | Forest-green cotton |
| Aquarius / कुंभ | Blue, turquoise | Blue set with patterned stole |
| Pisces / मीन | Sea green, lavender | Gentle printed cotton |
Mulank-inspired festive cotton colours
Reduce only the day of birth to one digit: for example, 24 becomes Mulank 6.
| Mulank | Birth dates | Suggested colour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 10, 19, 28 | Saffron or golden yellow |
| 2 | 2, 11, 20, 29 | Pearl white or cream |
| 3 | 3, 12, 21, 30 | Yellow or mustard |
| 4 | 4, 13, 22, 31 | Soft blue |
| 5 | 5, 14, 23 | Leaf green |
| 6 | 6, 15, 24 | Blush pink or pastel blue |
| 7 | 7, 16, 25 | Pale green or cream |
| 8 | 8, 17, 26 | Indigo or deep blue |
| 9 | 9, 18, 27 | Red or coral |
A festive thought from COTLAND
At COTLAND — THE LAND OF PURE COTTON, we want Jaipur-inspired colour and Indian textile character to accompany meaningful family moments. Clothing is one small part of the celebration; devotion, togetherness and considerate choices are at its heart.
श्रद्धा कपड़ों की कीमत से नहीं मापी जाती।
Welcome Bappa with affection. Celebrate with attention to your tradition. Plan the farewell before the festival begins—and carry kindness towards people and nature into the year ahead.
गणपती बाप्पा मोरया!