Ganesh Mahotsav 2025

The formal beginning of Ganesh Mahotsav takes place with the installation of Lord Ganesha’s idol, an act known as Ganesh Sthapana. This installation is carried out on the Chaturthi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada, which is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. The idol is placed either in a clean and peaceful corner of the home or in a public pandal specially prepared for the occasion.

The spot where the idol is to be installed is beautifully decorated with flowers, rangoli, lamps, and bells. The clay idol of Lord Ganesha is covered with a red cloth and placed on an elevated platform, facing either east or north, as these directions are considered auspicious. Once the idol is installed, a special ritual known as Pran Pratishtha is performed. In this ceremony, the priest chants sacred mantras and prays to Lord Ganesha to reside within the idol, thus transforming an ordinary figure into a living embodiment of the divine. Thereafter, devotees worship the idol with devotion and reverence, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Ganesh Installation Date and Timing

Chaturthi Begins: 26th August 2025, from 1:56 PM
Chaturthi Ends: 27th August 2025, till 3:46 PM
Installation Timing: 27th August 2025, from 5:36 AM to 8:48 PM and from 10:23 AM to 11:59 AM

Prohibited Period for Moon Sighting

There is an ancient tradition of avoiding the sighting of the moon on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. According to religious belief, seeing the moon during this period can lead to false accusations or blemish on one’s reputation. Therefore, devotees are advised not to look at the moon during this time and instead to perform the worship with full devotion and proper rituals.

Ganesh Immersion Date and Auspicious Timing

On the Chaturthi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Bhadrapada, some devotees take a vow to keep Lord Ganesha installed for 5 or 7 days. Depending on their capacity and the fulfillment of their vow, they may perform the immersion of Lord Ganesha after 5 or 7 days. In such cases, it is advisable to select an auspicious timing for the Immersion as per the local Hindu calendar. Those who keep Lord Ganesha installed for the full ten days perform the Immersion on the Chaturdashi of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada.

Chaturdashi Begins: 6th September 2025, from 3:15 AM
Chaturdashi Ends: 7th September 2025, at 1:42 AM
Immersion Auspicious Timing: 7:14 AM to 8:48 AM, and 11:56 AM to 4:38 PM

Some Important Rules of Ganesh Festival You Should Know

According to Vedic astrology, the most auspicious days to bring home Lord Ganesha’s idol are Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday. It is believed that bringing the idol home on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday should be avoided, as doing so may lead to Vaar Dosha (planetary fault). Therefore, choosing the right day for bringing Lord Ganesha’s idol is considered very important to ensure peace, prosperity, and harmony in the household.
Lord Ganesha is known by many names, each carrying its own special meaning and spiritual importance. Remembering these names is believed to bless devotees with strength, success, and abundance.
Here are ten prominent names of Lord Ganesha and their meanings:
- Ganapati — Lord of the Ganas, remover of all obstacles.
- Vighnaharta — Destroyer of obstacles and troubles.
- Gajmukh — Elephant-faced, symbol of hidden powers.
- Lambodar — Large-bellied, signifying prosperity and wisdom.
- Kratuṇḍa — Curved trunked, representing strength and patience.
- Siddhivinayak — Bestower of success and fulfiller of wishes.
- Mangalmurti — Embodiment of auspiciousness and positivity.
- Vighneshwar — Lord of obstacles, who grants success in every task.
- Ekadant — One-tusked, symbolizing perfection in imperfection.
- Shri Ganesh — Lord of wealth and prosperity, who fulfils desires.
This is generally regarded as Lord Ganesha’s day. However, as per astrology, bringing the idol home on Wednesday is usually avoided because if the planet Mercury (Budh) is weak, or if Bhadra Kaal or any other inauspicious period is ongoing, it may bring undesirable results and Vaar Dosha. However, if Mercury is not debilitated, and there is no Bhadra Kaal or any other inauspicious period, then bringing the idol home on Wednesday is acceptable.
Lord Ganesha was born on the Chaturthi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Bhadrapada, which is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi. It is believed that, on the request of Sage Ved Vyas, Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata continuously for ten days. On the tenth day, his body temperature rose significantly due to the immense effort, so he was bathed in a river to cool him down. Since then, this ten-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated with deep faith, devotion, and great enthusiasm.
The direction of Lord Ganesha’s trunk holds special spiritual significance. It is believed that a Ganesha idol with the trunk turned to the left is especially auspicious for home worship. Such an idol ensures that rituals and offerings are performed correctly and smoothly. Installing a left-trunked Ganesha is considered helpful in maintaining happiness, peace, and prosperity in the household.
Durva grass holds a sacred association with Lord Ganesha. Just as its roots spread in all four directions, it symbolizes how prayers spread everywhere. Durva, believed to be born of nectar, represents purity. Ancient texts mention that offering Durva to Lord Ganesha signifies a wish for lineage growth and spiritual progress, bringing peace and abundance into life.
The tradition of chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya is believed to have started in the village of Chinchwad, where the saint Morya Gosavi was born. It is said that he was born by the blessings of Lord Ganesha himself. Morya Gosavi undertook a pilgrimage on foot to the Mayureshwar Temple every Ganesh Chaturthi for 117 years. Once, due to old age, he could not make the journey, and Lord Ganesha appeared in his dream and revealed the presence of an idol in a river. He found the idol exactly as shown in his dream, which was seen as a divine miracle. From then on, devotees lovingly began adding ‘Morya’ to the chants of Lord Ganesha, and to this day, Ganapati Bappa Morya echoes with devotion and faith wherever the festival is celebrated.

Worship Method of Ganesh Festival

16-steps Worship is the traditional method of worshipping Lord Ganesha, in which he is honoured as a revered guest in sixteen elaborate steps. The purpose of this ritual is to welcome the deity with utmost respect and serve him with devotion.

During Ganesh Installation and Puja, the devotee first meditates upon the form of Lord Ganesha and respectfully invites him to reside in the idol. A clean red cloth is offered as a seat. His feet are ceremonially washed with water and water is also offered for washing hands. Then, water is given for sipping, and the idol is bathed with water or Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar).

After bathing, clean clothes and a sacred thread are offered. The idol is then adorned with sandalwood paste or fragrant ointment and decorated with ornaments. Perfume, fresh flowers, incense, and a lit lamp are offered to him. Finally, a sweet offering of sweets is presented to complete the ritual.

Conclusion of the Worship

At the end of the puja, betel leaves and areca nut is offered to Lord Ganesha. Devotees respectfully offer a token monetary offering and then perform the aarti with heartfelt devotion. Circumambulation of the idol is done, hands are folded in reverence, and a prayer is made seeking forgiveness for any mistakes or shortcomings during the worship.

Thus, the puja is concluded.

In this ritual, Lord Ganesha is worshipped just like a respected guest visiting one’s home. Every step signifies welcoming, serving, and honouring him. This method of worship fosters a deep emotional and spiritual connection between the devotee and the divine.

Ganesh Festival Mantra Chanting

Ganesh Immersion is a sacred and deeply emotional occasion when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with love and reverence. On this day, they chant special mantras, requesting the Lord to return next year and bless them with prosperity and fulfilment of their wishes.

“Om yaantu devaganaah sarve poojaamaadaaya maamakeem; Ishta-kaama-samriddhyartham punarapi punaraagamanaaya cha.”

“O all divine beings! Kindly accept my worship and return to your heavenly abode. May you fulfil my wishes and come back again and again.”

Significance of Ganesh Immersion

Ganesh Immersion is the final and most emotional part of the Ganesh festival. It is the tradition of bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha with deep devotion and love, usually performed on the tenth day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ganesh Immersion awakens the understanding that everything has a fixed time span.
It teaches us that every beginning has an end.
Through Immersion, Lord Ganesha is respectfully sent off with a request to return next year.
It nurtures a sense of renunciation and detachment within the mind.
Immersion strengthens unity, love, and joy within families and the community.
It offers an opportunity to connect with nature and understand the importance of water bodies.
This ritual inspires people to move forward in life with renewed enthusiasm and positive energy.

Ganesh Immersion Procedure

Before Ganesh Immersion, a final prayer and heartfelt aarti are performed at home or in the pandal, with family and neighbors participating. After this, modaks, laddus, and other sweets are distributed as prasad to everyone. Then, Lord Ganesha’s idol is beautifully decorated with flowers, garlands, and cloth, and placed on a palanquin or a decorated vehicle for the procession. Accompanied by drums, dance, and devotional songs, the idol is carried to a river, pond, or artificial water body, where coconut, flowers, and other offerings are made as part of the final ritual. Finally, devotees respectfully immerse the idol in water, chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya, come again soon next year.’

Benefits of Ganesh Festival

Spiritual Peace

Worship, aarti, and meditation bring peace of mind.
Devotion to Lord Ganesha boosts self-confidence.
Stress is reduced and the mind becomes stronger.

Social Unity

This festival brings people together.
Lokmanya Tilak started it to unite everyone.
Even today, it is a symbol of brotherhood and togetherness.

Freedom from Obstacles

Worshipping Lord Ganesha removes life’s hindrances.
Devotees pray for relief from sorrows and troubles.

Atmosphere of Positive Energy

Bhajans, kirtans, and aartis fill the home with positive energy.
The entire environment becomes devotional and joyful.

Preservation of Culture and Traditions

This festival keeps our culture alive.
It gives the new generation a chance to learn about traditions.
It helps carry our culture forward.

FAQ

1. Why do we celebrate Ganesh Festival?

Lord Ganesha is considered the symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and the auspicious beginning of all good deeds.
During Ganesh Festival, Lord Ganesha is respectfully installed at home or in public pandals and worshipped for a few days.
This festival teaches us that everything has a fixed time and must eventually merge back into the universe.
Immersion means bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha with respect and sending him back to his divine abode.
It strengthens the feeling of collective love, unity, and devotion in homes and society.
Immersion reminds us that nothing in life is permanent.
With Immersion, we also request him to return next year — “Ganpati Bappa Morya, come back soon next year!”

2. What should we do in Ganesh Festival?

On the day of Immersion, certain important religious and emotional rituals are observed:

Take a bath in the morning and wear clean clothes.
Perform the proper worship of Lord Ganesha.
Fill the home with devotion, music, and joy.
Do the aarti together with all family members.
Apologize to the Lord and invite him to return next year — “Ganpati Bappa Morya, come back soon next year!”
Immerse the idol respectfully and in an eco-friendly manner.

3. How to do Ganesh Festival at home?

Bring a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha home on the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.
Choose a clean and peaceful spot in your home, spread a cloth on a low platform, and place the idol on it.
Keep a kalash (sacred pot) near the idol, fill it with water, and place mango leaves and a coconut on top.
Keep all the essentials ready for worship — Roli (red powder), rice grains, Durva grass, flowers, garlands, Modak or laddus, betel leaves and nuts, incense sticks, a lamp, and ghee wicks.
Begin by meditating on Lord Ganesha and offer him Durva and flowers.
Offer Modak or laddus as prasad.
Light incense and the lamp, and chant Ganesha’s mantras or sing the aarti, like “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah.”
Perform the aarti every morning and evening with your family, and keep the atmosphere filled with devotional songs, conch sounds, or bells.
After the worship, distribute prasad to everyone and ensure it is pure and fresh.
After worshipping for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, perform the Immersion.
Before Immersion, do the final aarti of Lord Ganesha.

4. How to worship Ganesh Festival?

Before the Ganapati Immersion, perform the final puja in this way:
Offer fresh Durva grass, flowers, and Modak to Lord Ganesha.
Worship with sandalwood paste, rice grains, lamp, and incense sticks.
Recite the “Ganapati Atharva Shirsha” or “Ganesha Stotra.”
Perform the aarti with your entire family.
Finally, pray to Lord Ganesha for happiness, prosperity, and removal of obstacles.

5. What should we not do on Ganesh Festival (Immersion)?

Keep these important points in mind on Immersion Day:
Do not be sad or cry; this is a farewell filled with hope and the promise of reunion.
Never immerse the idol without proper worship or in haste.
Do not litter or dirty the immersion site; maintain cleanliness.
Avoid loud music, alcohol, or any inappropriate language or behaviour.
Perform the puja with focus, devotion, and full sincerity — not as a mere formality.

6. What to do on Ganesh Festival Day?

To make this auspicious day positive and memorable:
Perform the puja and immersion at an auspicious time.
Organize cultural activities with family and the community.
Fill your home with devotion through Ganesh bhajans, aartis, and mantras.
Immerse the idol naturally, keeping environmental care in mind.
Share prasad and sweets with everyone to spread joy and devotion alike.

7. What to eat during fast in Ganesh Festival?

Fresh fruits
Dry fruits and nuts
Milk and yogurt
Sago (sabudana)
Water chestnut flour or buckwheat flour
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Makhana kheer or roasted makhana
Rock salt (sendha namak)
Lemon water or coconut water

8. What to not eat in during fast Ganesh Festival ?

Regular table salt
Grains and cereals
Tamasic (heavy or impure) foods
Stimulating beverages
Deep-fried foods and heavy sweets

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