Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi · Home Sthapana and Puja Vidhi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the sacred festival celebrating the manifestation of Lord Ganesha. Devotees install a Ganesha murti at home, invoke the deity, perform purification and worship, offer the sixteen traditional upacharas, prepare naivedya, recite sacred hymns and perform ārati.
Note: Mantras and procedures vary somewhat across regions and sampradāyas. What follows is a detailed, traditional household procedure. Where a family follows a specific kula-paramparā or an ācārya-prescribed procedure, that tradition should take precedence.
- Deity
- Ganesha
- Tradition
- Sanatana / Griha-puja
- Purpose
- Ganesh Chaturthi household worship
- Occasion
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Source
- Compiled from traditional Puja-paddhati; verified against classical sankalpa and upachara formulae.
विवरण
OverviewSignificance
Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi is celebrated as Lord Ganesha's day of manifestation. As the presiding deity of Riddhi, Siddhi, wisdom and auspiciousness, Ganapati is always worshipped first to remove obstacles from every worthy undertaking.
Order of the Puja
Purification → Achamana → Lighting the lamp → Initial invocation → Sankalpa → Kalasha Sthapana → Dhyana → Avahana → Prana-Pratishtha → Shodashopachara → 108 names → Atharvashirsha → Gayatri and Bija mantra japa → Pradakshina → Pushpanjali → Arati → Kshama Prarthana → Shanti mantra → Dedication.
Auspicious Muhurta
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026
Sthapana
Friday, 11 September 2026
Madhyahna muhurta · 11:03 AM – 1:34 PM (IST)
Visarjan
Sunday, 20 September 2026 · Anant Chaturdashi
Any time on Anant Chaturdashi; families may also immerse on day 1½, 3, 5, 7 or 10 as per kula-parampara.
Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Madhyahna muhurta is considered ideal. Avoid gazing at the moon on Chaturthi night (traditional mithya-dosha).
सामग्री
Required materials- गणेश की मिट्टी की प्रतिमा (Eco-friendly clay Ganesha murti)
- चौकी एवं लाल/पीला वस्त्र (Platform with red or yellow cloth)
- कलश, नारियल, आम के पत्ते (Kalasha, coconut, mango leaves)
- मौली/कलावा, अक्षत, पुष्प, दूर्वा (Sacred thread, unbroken rice, flowers, durva grass)
- जल, गंगाजल/तीर्थजल (Water, sacred water)
- पंचामृत — दूध, दही, घी, मधु, शर्करा (Panchamrita: milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar)
- चंदन, कुमकुम, सिंदूर (Sandalwood paste, kumkum, sindoor)
- धूप, दीप, घी, कपूर (Incense, oil lamp, ghee, camphor)
- मोदक, फल, मेवा (Modaka, fruits, dry-fruits)
- पान, सुपारी, दक्षिणा (Betel leaf, areca nut, dakshina)
- यज्ञोपवीत एवं माला (Sacred thread and garland)
संकल्प
Sankalpaॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य (देश-काल-तिथि-वार-नक्षत्रोच्चारणपूर्वकम्) (नाम)-नामाहं (गोत्र)-गोत्रः। मम आत्मनः श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणोक्तफलप्राप्त्यर्थं श्रीमहागणपतिप्रीत्यर्थं गणेशचतुर्थी-महोत्सवे श्रीमहागणपतिस्थापनपूर्वकं षोडशोपचारपूजनं करिष्ये॥ मम सकलविघ्नविनाशपूर्वकं बुद्धि-सिद्धि-समृद्ध्यर्थं कुटुम्बस्य सुखशान्त्यर्थं श्रीमहागणपतिप्रीत्यर्थं पूजनं करिष्ये॥
Recite the sankalpa holding water, flowers and rice in the right palm; then release the water.
पूजा विधि
Step-by-step procedure- 1
Achamana · आचमन
ॐ केशवाय नमः। ॐ नारायणाय नमः। ॐ माधवाय नमः॥ Sip a small quantity of water three times to purify body, speech and mind.
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Mangala Shloka · मंगल श्लोक
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव शुभकार्येषु सर्वदा॥ Invoke the curved-trunked, mighty-formed Lord to remove all obstacles.
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Dipa Prajwalana · दीप प्रज्वलन
ॐ दीपज्योतिः परं ब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः। दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥ Light the puja lamp.
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Sankalpa · संकल्प
Take water, flowers and rice in the right palm and utter the sankalpa (see the Sankalpa panel above), then release the water.
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Kalasha Sthapana · कलश स्थापना
Fill the kalasha with water; add rice, flowers, betel-nut, a coin and a few drops of tirtha-jala. Place mango leaves and a coconut on top. ॐ वरुणाय नमः॥ (Salutations to Varuna) ॐ गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु॥
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Dhyana · ध्यान
गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलचारुभक्षणम्। उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारणं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपङ्कजम्॥ Meditate on Vighneshwara, son of Uma, remover of sorrow.
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Avahana · आवाहन
ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। आवाहयामि॥ हे हेरम्ब! त्वमेह्यहि ह्यम्बिकात्र्यम्बकात्मज। सिद्धिबुद्धिपते त्र्यक्ष लक्षलाभपितुः पितः॥ Invite the Lord; place flowers and akshata before the murti.
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Prana-Pratishtha · प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा
ॐ आं ह्रीं क्रौं यं रं लं वं शं षं सं हंसः। श्रीमहागणपतिप्राणाः इह प्राणाः॥ ॐ श्रीमहागणपतये नमः। स्थिरो भव। सुप्रतिष्ठितो भव। मम पूजां गृहाण॥ For a household installation, gently touch the heart region of the murti with the right hand.
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1 · Asana · आसन
आसनं च मया दत्तं गृहाण गणनायक॥ Offer the seat with folded hands.
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2 · Padya · पाद्य
गङ्गादितीर्थसम्भूतं पाद्यार्थं निर्मलं जलम्। गृहाण गणनाथ त्वं भक्त्या दत्तं मया प्रभो॥ Offer water symbolically to wash the Lord's feet.
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3 · Arghya · अर्घ्य
दूर्वाक्षतसमायुक्तं गन्धपुष्पसमन्वितम्। अर्घ्यं गृहाण देवेश भक्त्या दत्तं मया प्रभो॥ Offer arghya (water with durva, akshata, sandal, flowers).
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4 · Achamaniya · आचमनीय
सुवासितं जलं रम्यं कर्पूरेण सुवासितम्। आचम्यतां गणाध्यक्ष भक्त्या दत्तं मया प्रभो॥
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5 · Snana · स्नान
Sprinkle sacred water for a symbolic bath. Then Panchamrita snana with milk + yogurt + ghee + honey + sugar in sequence, ending with clean water: ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। पंचामृतस्नानं समर्पयामि॥ शुद्धोदकस्नानं समर्पयामि॥
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6 · Vastra & Yajnopavita · वस्त्र एवं यज्ञोपवीत
यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात्। आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः॥ Offer clean cloth (or akshata as a symbolic vastra) and the sacred thread.
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7 · Gandha · गन्ध (Sandal)
श्रीखण्डचन्दनं दिव्यं गन्धाढ्यं सुमनोहरम्। विलेपनं सुरश्रेष्ठ चन्दनं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥ Anoint the murti with sandalwood paste.
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8 · Akshata · अक्षत
अक्षताश्च सुरश्रेष्ठ कुङ्कुमाक्ताः सुशोभिताः। मया निवेदिता भक्त्या गृहाण परमेश्वर॥
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9 · Pushpa · पुष्प
माल्यादीनि सुगन्धीनि मालत्यादीनि वै प्रभो। मया हृतानि पूजार्थं पुष्पाणि प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥
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10 · Durva · दूर्वा (21 bundles)
Offer 21 durva bundles, each with: ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥ Or recite the 21 traditional names of Ganesha, one durva with each name.
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11 · Sindura · सिन्दूर
सिन्दूरं शोभनं रक्तं सौभाग्यं सुखवर्धनम्। शुभदं कामदं चैव गृहाण गणनायक॥
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12 · Abhushana · आभूषण
हारकुण्डलकेयूर कटकादीनि च प्रभो। भूषणानि मया दत्तानि गृहाण गणनायक॥
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13 · Dhupa · धूप
वनस्पतिरसोद्भूतो गन्धाढ्यो गन्ध उत्तमः। आघ्रेयः सर्वदेवानां धूपोऽयं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥ Light the incense and offer its fragrance.
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14 · Dipa · दीप
साज्यं त्रिवर्तिसंयुक्तं वह्निना योजितं मया। गृहाण मङ्गलं दीपं त्रैलोक्यतिमिरापहम्॥
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15 · Naivedya · नैवेद्य
Offer modaka, laddus, fruits, kheer and other sattvic foods. नैवेद्यं गृह्यतां देव भक्तिं मे ह्यचलां कुरु। ईप्सितं मे वरं देहि परत्र च परां गतिम्॥ ॐ प्राणाय स्वाहा। ॐ अपानाय स्वाहा। ॐ व्यानाय स्वाहा। ॐ उदानाय स्वाहा। ॐ समानाय स्वाहा। ॐ ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा॥ अमृतापिधानमसि॥
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16 · Tambula, Dakshina, Pushpanjali · ताम्बूल, दक्षिणा, पुष्पांजलि
पूगीफलसमायुक्तं नागवल्लीदलैर्युतम्। कर्पूरचूर्णसंयुक्तं ताम्बूलं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥ हिरण्यगर्भगर्भस्थं हेमबीजं विभावसोः। अनन्तपुण्यफलदं दक्षिणां प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥
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Atharvashirsha, Ashtottara & Japa · अथर्वशीर्ष, अष्टोत्तर एवं जप
Recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, the 108 names (Ashtottara Shatanamavali), the Ganapati Gayatri and complete a mala of the bija mantra ॐ गं गणपतये नमः (21, 51, 108 or 1008 repetitions).
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Arati · आरती
Perform the traditional 'Jai Ganesh Deva' arati with a five-wick or camphor lamp, followed by 'ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। कर्पूरनीराजनं समर्पयामि॥'. जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
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Pradakshina & Namaskara · प्रदक्षिणा एवं नमस्कार
यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मान्तरकृतानि च। तानि तानि विनश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणपदे पदे॥ Perform three or four circumambulations, then offer sāṣṭāṅga namaskāra.
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Kshama Prarthana · क्षमा प्रार्थना
मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं गणाधिप। यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे॥ Ask forgiveness for any lapse of mantra, procedure, pronunciation or offering.
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Shanti Mantra · शान्ति मंत्र
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
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Dedication · सर्वं गणेशार्पणम्
ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। सर्वं श्रीगणेशार्पणमस्तु॥ Dedicate the entire worship to Lord Ganesha.
मंत्र
Mantrasॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Om Gaṁ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ
Ganesha bija mantra — the seed mantra for daily japa (21, 51, 108 or 1008 repetitions).
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे। वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Ekadantāya Vidmahe. Vakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi. Tanno Dantiḥ Prachodayāt.
Ganapati Gayatri — we contemplate the One-Tusked Lord; may He illumine our intellect.
ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम्। ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम्॥
Om Gaṇānām Tvā Gaṇapatiṁ Havāmahe...
Vedic Ganapati mantra (Rigveda 2.23.1) — we invoke Ganapati, the wise among the wise, to preside over this seat.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव शुभकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratuṇḍa Mahākāya Sūryakoṭi Samaprabha...
The universal mangala shloka recited before every auspicious undertaking.
उपचार
Offerings (Upachara)ॐ गन्धं समर्पयामि।
oṃ gandhaṃ samarpayāmi
I offer sandal paste (gandha).
ॐ पुष्पं समर्पयामि।
oṃ puṣpaṃ samarpayāmi
I offer flowers (pushpa).
ॐ धूपमाघ्रापयामि।
oṃ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi
I offer incense (dhupa).
ॐ दीपं दर्शयामि।
oṃ dīpaṃ darśayāmi
I show the lamp (deepa).
ॐ नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।
oṃ naivedyaṃ nivedayāmi
I offer the food (naivedya).
Standard panchopachara — offer each item while reciting the corresponding mantra.
२१ गणेश नाम
The 21 Names (offered with Durva)Offer one blade of durva grass with each name.
आरती
Aratiजय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ एकदन्त दयावन्त, चार भुजाधारी। माथे सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी॥ पान चढ़े फल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा। लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, सन्त करें सेवा॥ अन्धन को आँख देत, कोढ़िन को काया। बाँझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया॥ सूर श्याम शरण आए, सफल कीजे सेवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
Perform arati with a five-wick lamp or camphor, then — ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। कर्पूरनीराजनं समर्पयामि॥
नमस्कार एवं प्रार्थना
Namaskara & PrayerNamaskara
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव। त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव। त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव। त्वमेव सर्वं मम देवदेव॥
Pushpanjali
ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। इदं पुष्पं मया भक्त्या समर्पितं गणनायक। गृहाण देवदेवेश नमस्ते विघ्ननाशन॥
Final Prayer
हे गणनाथ! हे विघ्नहर्ता! हे सिद्धिविनायक! मम सर्वविघ्नानि विनाशय। मम बुद्धिं विवेकं च वर्धय। मम कुटुम्बे सुखं शान्तिं च देहि। सर्वेषां कल्याणं कुरु। सर्वेषां मंगलं कुरु॥
पारम्परिक फल
Traditional benefitsIn traditional Hindu belief, this worship is associated with:
- Prayer for the removal of obstacles
- Growth of intellect and discernment
- Attainment of learning and knowledge
- Success in one's undertakings
- Auspiciousness and good fortune
- Peace within the family
- Prosperity and accomplishment
- Spiritual concentration
- Devotion and self-restraint
पूजा का सम्पूर्ण क्रम
The complete sequence- 1Purification
- 2Achamana
- 3Lighting the Lamp
- 4Ganesha Invocation
- 5Sankalpa
- 6Kalasha Sthapana
- 7Dhyana
- 8Avahana
- 9Prana-Pratishtha
- 10Asana
- 11Padya
- 12Arghya
- 13Achamaniya
- 14Snana
- 15Panchamrita
- 16Vastra
- 17Yajnopavita
- 18Gandha
- 19Akshata
- 20Pushpa
- 21Durva
- 22Sindura
- 23Abhushana
- 24Dhupa
- 25Dipa
- 26Naivedya
- 27Water
- 28Tambula
- 29Fruit
- 30Dakshina
- 31108 Names
- 32Atharvashirsha
- 33Gayatri
- 34Mantra Japa
- 35Pradakshina
- 36Pushpanjali
- 37Arati
- 38Forgiveness
- 39Shanti Mantra
- 40Dedication
विसर्जन एवं समापन
Visarjan & ConclusionDaily worship (for multi-day installations)
If Ganesha has been installed for more than one day (1½ / 3 / 5 / 7 / 10 days), perform every morning and evening: lamp, incense, flowers, durva, naivedya, japa of ॐ गं गणपतये नमः, recitation of the Ganapati Atharvashirsha and the arati.
Visarjan · The immersion
On the day of visarjan, offer lamp, incense, flowers, durva and naivedya once more. After the arati and forgiveness prayer, recite:
हे गणपतिदेव! यथाशक्ति मया कृतं पूजनं भवतः प्रसादेन सम्पूर्णं भवतु। O Lord Ganapati, may this worship performed according to my ability be completed by Your grace. Remove all obstacles from our family. Grant wisdom, accomplishment, prosperity and peace. And please return again. ॐ श्रीगणपतये नमः। यथास्थानं प्रतिष्ठापयामि। पुनरागमनाय च॥
Carry the murti respectfully with the household chant 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangalmurti Morya'. For an eco-friendly celebration use a natural clay murti and, where available, an authorised artificial immersion tank.
गणपति बाप्पा मोरया · मंगलमूर्ति मोरया
Sources & References
Dharmartha presents traditional knowledge with respect for its sources. Practices vary by lineage and region; this material does not assert exclusive or universal authority.
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Related Knowledge
Ganesha Bhujangam
श्री गणेश भुजङ्गम्
A rhythmic Bhujanga-prayāta stuti in nine verses — from the dancing, bell-adorned Lord to the imperishable Om-syllable Brahman.
Ganesha Pancharatnam · The Five-Jewel Hymn
श्री गणेश पञ्चरत्नम्
The five-verse jewel-hymn traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya — dense with imagery of the modaka-holding, mouse-riding, obstacle-removing Lord.
Sankatnashana Ganesha Stotram · The 12 Names
सङ्कटनाशन गणेश स्तोत्रम्
The twelve sacred names of Ganesha as taught by Narada — recited to remove obstacles and grant every worthy attainment.
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