Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival but a vibrant celebration of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the giver of wisdom. As per tradition, devotees bring clay idols of Ganpati Bappa into their homes to invite his blessings, celebrate his birth and honour his role as the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
While Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across India, the most vibrant celebrations happen in Maharashtra. The festival also lights up homes and streets in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, each adding its unique local traditions to the celebration.
In 2025, this grand celebration will begin on Tuesday, 26 August and continue for ten joyous days, ending with Ganesh Visarjan on Saturday, 6 September, the day of Anant Chaturdashi.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Auspicious Timings
Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 26 August 2025, 1:54 PM
Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 27 August 2025, 3:44 PM
Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat: 27 August 2025, 11:12 AM to 1:44 PM
Ganesh Visarjan (Anant Chaturdashi): 6 September 2025
How Ganesh Chaturthi Is Celebrated
From beautifully decorated homes with flowers and rangoli to streets alive with music and devotion, Ganesh Chaturthi is a sight to behold. Devotees wake up early, bathe, wear fresh clothes, and perform Ganesh Puja with incense, flowers, lamps, and offerings of his favourite sweet-modak.
The atmosphere is filled with bhajans, drum beats, dancing and the aroma of freshly prepared prasad. Every day, families gather to pray, chant mantras, and offer flowers and sweets to Ganpati Bappa.
On the tenth day, the celebrations end with Ganesh Visarjan, carrying the idol in a grand procession to a river, lake, or sea for immersion. This signifies the cycle of creation and dissolution in nature and is accompanied by chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!” (Come back soon next year, dear Ganpati).
Fasting Guidelines For Ganesh Chaturthi
Many devotees observe fasts during Ganesh Chaturthi as a mark of devotion. Here’s how:
- Choose the fast duration as per your health: full day, half day, or specific hours.
- To maintain purity of mind and body, avoid negative thoughts, gossip, and distractions.
- Completely avoid non-vegetarian food; many also skip onion and garlic.
- Use rock salt (sendha namak) instead of common salt in fasting meals.
- Eat light, sattvik food cooked with minimal oil and spices.
- For nirjal fasts (without water), hydrate well before and after.