When Is Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Date & Timings (2024)

Ganesh Chaturthi also called Vinayaka Chavithi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a famous Hindu festival that is a tribute to deity Ganesha. The festival is celebrated by installing Ganesha's Murti (idol) at homes or in public places in elaborate Pandals (temporary stages). The festival is celebrated by chanting Vedic Hymns and prayers and by observing Vrata or fasting. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days and Prasadam and other offerings like Modak which is said to be a favourite of Ganesha are made to the god and offered. The festival ends with the Murti being carried in procession, immersed in water (Visarjan), on the day of Ananta Chaturdasi. Read below to learn more about this popular festival.

Ganesha Chaturthi 2024 Date And Timings

Ganesha Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated by Hindus and is especially popular in Maharastra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It is also celebrated by the people of Nepal and the Hindu diaspora in various parts of the world like the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, etc. Lord Ganesha is believed to be a remover of obstacles and is invoked before the start of any new business venture, intellectual pursuit or business. The festival includes 10 days of rituals that are done with great devotion across India. Ganesha is known by various names like Ekadanta, Siddhi Vinayaka, Vakradanta, Dhoomraketu, and Gajanana and is worshipped as the god of good fortune, wisdom and prosperity. The festival begins on Chaturthi (the fourth day) of the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu Calendar which usually falls between August and September. Elaborately designed idols made of clay are brought and installed in homes or public gatherings and worshipped through ceremonies and rituals.

Participate in the Ganesha Chaturthi Rituals

In 2024, the festival and the rituals start on Friday 6th September and conclude on Tuesday, 17th September. The Ganesha Visarjan should be done on Tuesday, September 17th. The festival Puja Mahurat is September 7 from at 11:03 am to 1:34 pm. The best time for the immersion is the Madhyahna Puja Mahurat which starts at 11:03 am and ends at 1:34 pm which spans 2 hours 31 minutes.

Ganesha Chaturthi Origin And Significance

The Ganesha Chaturthi origin can be traced to the 17th century when the Maratha Empire ruled. Chatrapati Sivaji celebrated this festival to promote unity and nationalism among his people. But the festival gained immense popularity during the British era when Lokmanya Tilak a great freedom fighter, used it as a way to bring all Indians together and motivate them to battle against the British for independence.

Observed as the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, Ganesha Chaturthi is known also as Ganesha Utsav and Vinayaka Chaturthi. The festival holds great significance in Hindu spirituality and culture. As per Mythology, Ganesha was created by Ma Parvati using her body and also breathed life into him. Shiva too accorded him as his son and appointed him as the remover of obstacles or Vignaharta. Ganesha is revered as the god of learning, intellect and wisdom and devotees ask for his blessings when they start anything new to get success in their new beginnings, education and any endeavour.

Celebrations And Rituals

Ganesh Chaturthi is not the only festival to get blessed by the almighty it also is a celebration that brings all communities together. People from various spheres of life take part in the festivities and celebrate the festival with enthusiasm. While there is great religious essence to this festival, it also holds social and cultural significance serves as a unifying factor and provides a platform for artistic expression. The festival knows no boundaries and brings people together irrespective of religion, caste or creed to celebrate the birthday of Ganesha.

If you are wondering what rituals to follow at home to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi, devotees can follow the following customs and rituals.

• People who wish to celebrate the festival should wake up early in the morning, bathe and wear clean clothes to start the festivities with devotion and purity.
• The idol typically made of clay should be installed on a raised platform and decorated with a yellow or red cloth which is a symbol of royalty and auspiciousness.
• Decorate the surroundings of the idol with embellishments which include ornaments to create a welcoming and visually appealing environment.
• Offer various things to the deity which include lamps, Ganga Jal, Haldi, Kumkum, flowers and fruits. Prayers should be offered and Modak or Ladoo should be made for Prasadam and offered to Ganesha.
• Start the worship or Pooja with prayers and recite hymns from sacred texts. Devotional songs should also be offered to please the deity.

If you are unable to bring the idol home for any reason, you can visit temples or public Pandals and offer prayers. This helps to participate in the festival and also invoke the blessings of Ganesha. This festival is a celebration of the divineness of Ganesha and is a legacy to inspire people to transcend boundaries and unite to celebrate a shared heritage of India.

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