Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date: Is It on September 13 or 14? Check Tithi Timings, Puja Muhurat, Ganesh Sthapana, Visarjan Date, 10-Day Festival Calendar & City-Wise Timings for Delhi, Mumbai, Pune & More

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026 is considered to be one of the most awaited Hindu festivals of the year and however, the dates of the festival have caused some confusion among the followers. It is important to note that the controversy arises because of two dates – September 13 and September 14. Taking into account the present-day panchang computations, Ganesh Chaturthi will fall on September 14, 2026, on Monday as the Chaturthi tithi begins at 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at 7:44 AM on September 15. 

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date: Is It September 13 or September 14?

The festival takes place on September 14 and not on September 13. The explanation for this lies in the fact that it is the Chaturthi tithi which forms the basis of deciding the dates of the festival, rather than just the day when the tithi begins according to the Gregorian calendar.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Why Is There Date Confusion

In the Hindu festival calculation method, the movement of the moon is used, while the Gregorian calendar has a fixed solar system. This implies that one tithi may fall on two dates as Chaturthi starts from September 14 to September 15 in 2026 and the significant date will be September 14.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Tithi Timings

The start and end time for the Chaturthi tithi in 2026 is 7:06 AM on September 14 and 7:44 AM on September 15, respectively. This information is provided for places in India and may differ according to your location.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Puja Muhurat

The time of Ganesh Chaturthi puja muhurat for New Delhi is stated between 11:02 am and 1:31 pm, offering devotees approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes of time frame. Different timings are applicable to other cities due to different calculations of panchang.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Regional Date Variations Across India

The core festival date remains September 14, but puja timings differ across India. As the listed muhurat is 11:16 AM to 1:44 PM in Pune, 11:20 AM to 1:48 PM in Mumbai, 10:51 AM to 1:18 PM in Chennai and 10:18 AM to 12:46 PM in Kolkata. 

City-Wise Puja Timings

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Complete 10-Day Festival Calendar

• Day 1, September 14: Ganesh Sthapana and first puja
• Day 2, September 15: Daily worship and offerings
• Day 3, September 16: Family prayers and aarti
• Day 4, September 17: Community celebrations
• Day 5, September 18: Mid-festival observances
• Day 6, September 19: Continued puja and devotional programmes
• Day 7, September 20: Seventh-day celebrations
• Day 8, September 21: Preparations begin for farewell rituals
• Day 9, September 22: Final days of household worship
• Day 10, September 23: Concluding 10-day observances in traditions following a 10-day schedule

Families may instead choose shorter 1.5-day, 3-day, 5-day or 7-day celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: When is Ganesh Visarjan

Main conclusion ceremony, called Anant Chaturdashi, will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, based on current panchang calendar information. Ganesh Visarjan may also be done prior to this date following family customs.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Why is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is believed to be the symbol of intelligence, prosperity and fortune. It is celebrated in homes and large public gatherings especially in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Significance

• The celebration acknowledges Lord Ganesha as the manifestation of wisdom and prosperity.
• Followers receive blessings on all important occasions.
• Offerings include modaks, durva grass, flowers and lights.
• Visarjan symbolizes bidding adieu to Ganesha and the eternal process of creation and dissolution.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: How To Perform the Sacred Rituals

• Clean the puja area and set up the idol of Ganesha on a decorated platform.
• Give offerings such as flowers, durva grass, modak (sweet rice dumplings), coconut and other prasad to him.
• Start with meditating and sankalpa then go to chanting mantras and prayers.
• Finish off the ritual with aarti and distributing prasad.

The Core Puja Sequence

1. Dhyana (meditation): Sit quietly and visualize Ganesha—seated on a mouse, radiant with golden light, holding a goad and noose.
2. Sankalpa (intention-setting): Declare your purpose aloud. In Vedic practice, this verbal commitment programs your subconscious and invokes celestial support.
3. Invocation: Chant the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat”
(Om, we know the One with a single tusk, we meditate on the curved-trunk One, May that elephant-faced One inspire us)

For devotees checking the calendar, the key takeaway as Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on September 14, while Anant Chaturdashi and the principal final immersion day falls on September 25. 

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Disclaimer: Festival dates and muhurat can vary by location and panchang. Readers should confirm local timings before performing religious rituals.