Ganesh Chaturthi Events 2026 is all set to bring bliss and piety to the nation of India. This year the festival starts on September 14 and ends on September 25. So there's 12 days of celebration instead of the standard 10 days. Lord Ganesha will be brought home by people. Pandals will be erected on all the streets.
Other cities, such as Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad, are preparing themselves. Lalbaugcha Raja and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati are the top attractions. Whether you're looking for information about where to go and what to see, this guide will lead you straight to the planning information you need.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Date and Puja Time
- The main day is September 14, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi starts at 7:06 AM on September 14 and ends at 7:44 AM on September 15 .
- The best time for puja is Madhyahna. In Delhi, the puja muhurat is from 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM . This is the right time to bring Bappa home.

Who Started Ganpati Festival in 1893?
Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the public Ganpati festival in 1893 . Before that, Ganesh Chaturthi was a family thing. People worshipped at home.
Tilak changed it. He made it a public event at Kesari Wada in Pune . Why did he do this? Because he wanted people to come together. At that time, India was under British rule. Tilak used the festival to bring people together. Revolutionaries would meet during the 10 days and plan things .
So the 10-day celebration was not just for fun. It had a purpose. It gave people time to gather and talk.
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Why Ganesh Chaturthi is Celebrated for 10 Days?
The simple answer is Tilak. When he started the public festival, he chose Anant Chaturdashi for visarjan. That day comes 10 days after Chaturthi .
Those 10 days gave people time to meet, plan, and celebrate together. That is how the 10-day tradition started.
Some families keep Ganesha for 1.5 days, 3 days, 5 days, or 7 days. It depends on their family tradition . But the public festival usually goes on for 10 days.
Top 10 Places to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in India
1. Mumbai
Lalbaugcha Raja is the most famous pandal in Mumbai. Lakhs of people come here every day . The visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty is a huge event. The city almost stops on that day.
2. Pune
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is the main attraction in Pune. The idol is beautifully decorated. Kasba Ganpati is also very old and respected . Pune has deep roots in the Ganeshotsav tradition.
3. Hyderabad
Khairatabad Ganesh is over 50 feet tall . This year, they are making a 69-foot Panchamukha Ganapati . The Agaman processions in Hyderabad are also becoming very big .

4. Goa
Goa celebrates Chavath in its own way. The idols are small and made of local clay. Families cook special food like nevri and patoleo . It is more quiet and personal than Mumbai.
5. Nagpur
Nagpur is known for theme-based idols. The pandals are creative. Cultural events happen all over the city .
6. Bengaluru
Basavanagudi and Malleswaram have big pandals. The city mixes tradition with its modern vibe .
7. Chennai
Chennai celebrates with South Indian traditions. You will see decorated pandals and cultural programs .
8. Kolkata
Kolkata is famous for Durga Puja. But Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated with idols and devotional songs .
9. Delhi
Delhi has pandals in Connaught Place, Laxmi Nagar, and Dwarka. People from all communities come together .
10. Jaipur
Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple is the main spot in Jaipur. The decoration is royal. Special pujas happen here .
Best Lines on Ganesh Chaturthi
Here are some simple lines you can use for your messages:
- "Ganpati Bappa Morya! May Lord Ganesha bless you with happiness."
- "Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Bappa remove all your problems."
- "Aapka sukh Ganesh ji ke pet jitna bada ho. Aapka dukh undar jesa chota ho."
- "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya."
You can send these on WhatsApp or write them in your status.
Ganesh Chaturthi Events 2026 in Major Cities
Mumbai
Fortcha Raja in South Mumbai has been celebrating since 1962. The pandal has a new theme every year . Lalbaugcha Raja is the main one. The visarjan on September 25 will be huge.
Hyderabad
The Agaman processions started in late August and early September. Dhol-tasha groups from Maharashtra are coming. The celebrations are becoming like concerts . Khairatabad Ganesh is the main pandal.
Pune
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is the heart of Pune's celebration. The streets around the temple come alive during the festival .
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 14, Monday | Ganesh Sthapana |
| September 15, Tuesday | 1.5-day Visarjan |
| September 16, Wednesday | 3-day Visarjan |
| September 18, Friday | 5-day Visarjan |
| September 20, Sunday | 7-day Visarjan |
| September 25, Friday | 10-day Visarjan / Anant Chaturdashi |
The main visarjan happens on September 25 .
FAQs
1. When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
September 14. Monday. That's it.
2. How many days is the festival?
Normally 10 days. But this year it is 12 days. After 9 years this is happening. Lunar calendar thing.
3. Who started public Ganpati?
Tilak. Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1893. In Pune at Kesari Wada. Before that everyone did pooja at home only.
4. Why did Tilak make it public?
British rule was there at that time. Tilak wanted to bring people together. 10 days people used to get. They met, talked, planned. It was not just a fun festival.
5. Why is it 10 days?
Tilak chose Anant Chaturdashi for visarjan. That day comes 10 days after Chaturthi. So it became 10 days.
6. What is the puja time in 2026?
Madhyahna. In Delhi it is 11:02 AM to 1:31 PM. Check your city time also.
7. Can we keep less than 10 days?
Yes of course. 1.5 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days. Whatever your family tradition is. No hard rule.
8. Best place to celebrate?
Mumbai. Pune. See Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai. See Dagdusheth Halwai in Pune. Just these two.
9. When is visarjan?
September 25. Anant Chaturdashi. In Mumbai at Girgaon Chowpatty there is a lot of crowd.
10. What food is made?
Modak. Main sweet. In Goa nevri and patoleo. In Maharashtra puran poli and karanji also.

