September 14: Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is being celebrated across India on Monday, marking the beginning of the annual Ganeshotsav dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The festival is being observed in homes, temples and public pandals, with communities organising prayers, cultural programmes and other celebrations.
According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 14, 2026. The festival is observed on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and is traditionally associated with the birth of Lord Ganesha. This year, the main festival day falls on a Monday, while the Chaturthi tithi begins on September 14 and ends on September 15.
Ganesh Chaturthi is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols followed by prayers, aarti and offerings. Modak, traditionally associated with Lord Ganesha, is among the offerings commonly prepared during the festival. Families and community groups observe the celebrations according to their local customs and traditions.
Maharashtra at the Centre of Ganeshotsav Celebrations
Maharashtra remains one of the major centres of public Ganeshotsav celebrations, particularly in cities such as Mumbai and Pune. Large public pandals, neighbourhood celebrations and household installations form an important part of the festival.
In Pune, authorities have introduced traffic measures during the festival period to manage increased movement and crowds. Heavy and oversized vehicles have been restricted on 12 roads in central Pune from September 12 to September 26, with exemptions for emergency services and vehicles associated with Ganesh idol activities.
Mumbai is also witnessing large-scale preparations and celebrations. Several prominent Ganesh mandals have attracted large numbers of devotees, with arrangements focusing on crowd management, security and public services.
Festival Continues Until Visarjan
Ganeshotsav traditionally continues for several days, with many families choosing different durations for keeping the idol at home. The festival culminates for many devotees with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 25, 2026. Some households and mandals conduct immersion earlier, depending on their traditions.
The period between installation and immersion includes daily prayers, aarti and community activities. In Maharashtra, public celebrations are also accompanied by cultural programmes and processions.
Focus on Responsible Celebrations
Environmental and public-safety considerations continue to be part of Ganeshotsav preparations. Organisers and local authorities have increasingly focused on crowd management, traffic regulation, sanitation and responsible immersion practices during the festival.
Food safety has also received attention in Mumbai, where the Food and Drug Administration has issued measures concerning the preparation and distribution of prasad in housing societies. The guidelines include hygiene requirements for people involved in food preparation and advance notice for certain prasad arrangements.
Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated by Indian communities outside the country, making it both a religious and cultural festival with a wider international presence. Celebrations have been reported among Hindu communities in countries including Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
As Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 begins, celebrations across India are combining traditional worship with community participation and cultural activities. The festival will continue through the coming days, culminating in immersion ceremonies for many devotees on Anant Chaturdashi.