On Ganesh Chaturthi, an idol of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is installed at home or in a pandal and worshipped for ten days. For the exact date and muhurat, see the Ganesh Chaturthi muhurat article; this guide covers how to do the puja itself, from samagri to visarjan.
Puja samagri (items needed)
- Ganesha idol (a clay idol is preferred over Plaster of Paris)
- A wooden chowki (platform) and a red or yellow cloth
- Kalash, coconut, betel nut, akshat (unbroken rice)
- Roli, sandalwood paste, turmeric-kumkum
- 21 pairs of durva grass blades
- Red flowers, hibiscus in particular
- Sacred thread (janeu), moli (red thread)
- Diya, ghee, camphor, incense sticks
- Modak or laddoo, panchamrit, betel leaf
Sthapana and puja steps
- Clean the puja area and bathe before taking the sankalp (vow) for the puja.
- Place the idol on the chowki over a red cloth, in the northeast corner of the home, facing north or east.
- Set up the kalash, then offer akshat, roli and a sandalwood tilak to the idol.
- Offer durva grass, said to be Ganesha’s favourite offering.
- Offer flowers, then light the diya and incense.
- Offer modak or laddoo as bhog.
- Chant the mantras, perform the aarti, then do a parikrama (circumambulation).
- Distribute the prasad among family and guests.
Mantras and aarti
- Beej mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
- Ganesh Gayatri: Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat
- The aarti “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva” is sung every morning and evening.
Through the ten days
While the idol stays at home, perform the aarti morning and evening, refresh the durva grass and flowers daily, and keep offering modak. Keep the area around the idol clean and calm.
Do’s and don’ts
- Looking at the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi is traditionally avoided, linked to the story of false accusation (mithya kalank) around the Syamantaka gem. If it happens by accident, there is a specific shloka from that story recited to counter it.
- Do not bring home a chipped or damaged idol.
- Keep meals simple and vegetarian at home during the puja days.
- Choose a clay idol. Plaster of Paris idols do not dissolve in rivers or lakes and add to water pollution.
Visarjan
Before visarjan, perform a final aarti and offer a prayer asking forgiveness for any mistakes made during the puja. The idol is then taken to the immersion site with dhol-tasha, immersed in water with the chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya” (come again early next year). For the exact visarjan window, check the muhurat page for your city’s Rahu Kaal on that day.
This information is descriptive. Weigh it alongside your family or community’s own tradition and your pandit’s guidance.