2019 Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesh, the God of wisdom, wealth and good fortune. It is said that before one starts afresh, worshipping Lord Ganesha is of utmost importance. His blessing not only gives the strength and wisdom to stride forward, but also evicts any obstacles that might come in the path to success. This festival is thus a celebration of new beginning and symbolizes a new dawn.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 was on September 02, Monday

Ganesh visarjan date or 2019 Anant chaturdashi is on September 12, 2019 Thursday.

Ganesh chaturthi is thecelebration of a new begining

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When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated ?

Ganesh Chaturthi usually a 10 days festival which starts on the shukla paksha chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon) in the month of Bhadrapada according to the  Indian calendar. It usually falls between August 19 and September 20 on the English calendar. Ganesh chaturthi festival ends on the day of Anant Chaturdasi, fourteenth day of bhadrapad shukla paksha.

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Other names of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh chaturthi is known by different names. In north India Ganesh chaturthi (Hindi: गणेश चतुर्थी, Gujarati: ગણેશ ચતુર્થી, ) is popular, in Maharashtra the festival is also known as Ganeshotsav (Marathi: गणेशोत्सव). In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the name Vinayaka Chavithi (Telugu: వినాయక చవితి) and in Tamil nadu Vinayaka Chaturthi (Tamil: விநாயக சதுர்த்தி) is popular. Regardless of the name, the spirit and enthusiam of Ganesh Chaturthi remains the same  through out the country.

Ganesh idol processions are a common sight during Ganesh Chaturthi

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The history behind Ganesh Chaturthi

According to mythology, Ganeshji was created by Goddess Parvati with sandal paste that she used for her bath. Being the deity of power, she evoked Ganesh with such strength that even the biggest of Gods could not face him at war. During such a war between the Gods, Lord Shiva accidentally chopped of Ganesha's head that elicited Parvati's rage. To satisfy his wife, Lord Shiva along with the other Gods fixed the head of a baby elephant on Ganesha's trunk. Hence Lord Ganesha with the elephant head was created. On this auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi , Lord Shiva declared that Ganesha will be the only deity who would be worshipped ahead of any other God. He would always be worshipped as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom and strength.

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Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganeshotsav is the biggest festival in Maharashtra. Different types of statues of lord Ganesha are made with clay and colour for this festival.

The worship begins with the priest chanting mantras to invoke life into the idol and the Lord is bathed with sandalwood paste and kumkum. This is known as 'pranapratistha'.

Image Source: Chef Swasti Aggarwal, Food Strategist Foodhall

Modak is a sweet made of coconut and Jaggery

Different tributes are offered to the lord that include the traditional 'modak' which is a conical sweet made up of coconut and jaggery. Other things like coconut, jaggery, durva (a special type of tri-bladed grass) and red flowers are also used for the puja.

Traditionally, 21 modaks and 21 durvas are essential for the puja.

On the 11th day, the idols are bid adieu by immersing them in water. This 'visharjan' is preceded by last rites of worshipping the deity with coconut and flowers; this is usually associated with long processions and huge crowds.\

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In Andhra Pradesh, along with the usual clay idols of Ganesha, turmeric and plaster of paris are also used to make idols that are then worshipped alongside. Special sweet meals are prepared for the puja. Kudumu is the local version of 'modak' there; other items include panakam (a cardamom flavoured spicy drink), vadapappu (soaked lentils) and chalividi (a sweet rice preparation).

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Ganesh Mantra

॥ श्री वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्य कोटी समप्रभा निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व-कार्येशु सर्वदा ॥

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A Ganesh idol being immersed in water after Ganesh Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is not only the most coveted festival that is celebrated in the western part of India but is also a source of work and business to many artisans across the region.

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Ganesh Chaturthi festival dates between 2016 & 2026

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Year Date

2016 Monday, 5th of September

2017 Friday, 25th of August

2018 Thursday, 13th of September

2019 Monday, 2nd of September

2020 Saturday, 22nd of August

2021 Friday, 10th of September

2022 Wednesday, 31st of August

2023 Tuesday, 19th of September

2024 Saturday, 7th of September

2025 Wednesday, 27th of August

2026 Monday, 14th of September