Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is marked with great enthusiasm every year. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, the 10-day-long celebration is observed with tremendous fervour, especially in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka.

Lord Ganesh is worshipped first among all the Hindu gods and goddesses and is called the remover of all obstacles. He is considered the god of wisdom and good fortune.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Date

This year, the Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 7. The festival will begin on September 6 and continue until September 17.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Shubh Muhurat

The auspicious time to welcome Lord Ganesha home is from 3:01 pm on September 6 till 5:37 pm on September 7, according to the Drik Panchang.

The Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat will be from 11:03 am to 01:34 pm on September 7.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Rituals

As per belief, Lord Ganesha is known as Vighnaharta, who removes all obstacles.

Celebrated with rich cultural traditions and practices, the festival starts with preparing the idols. People decorate their houses with flowers and rangoli designs. They place the idols on raised platforms inside their homes or in well-decorated outdoor tents.

Next, the pran pratishtha, a consecration ceremony, is performed. After this, the ‘Shodashopachara’ puja is performed, which is considered a way of paying respect to the beloved deity in 16 different ways.

During this ceremony, Vedic hymns from sacred texts such as the Ganesh Upanishad are chanted. The idols of Lord Ganesha are adorned with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings) are also offered to him as they are considered his favourite food.

On the 10th day, the festival ends as the idols are taken out on a grand procession for immersion in the nearby water bodies or sea. The processions are joined by the beats of drums, devotional singing and joyous dancing.