Vinayaka Chaturthi is an important Hindu festival celebrated in India and other parts of the world that have a large Hindu diaspora. The festival marks the birthday of Vinayaka or Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is the offspring of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Hindus love to celebrate the birthdays of their gods and goddesses. They believe that by worshipping them on these days and performing certain special rituals, they will be able to gain the blessings of the deity in question.
Ganesha is the bestower of wisdom, success, prosperity, and good fortune. He also removes obstacles in the life of his devotees.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is a 10-day festival. The states of Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, especially, celebrate it grandly.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Date and Timings
As per the Hindu almanac or Drik Panchang, Ganesha was born during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada (August- September) month. So devotees observe the festival at this time.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 celebrations will commence on Wednesday, August 27. The Chaturthi Tithi begins on August 26 at 1:54 PM and ends on August 27 at 3:44 PM.
The Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat will be from 11:06 AM to 1:40 PM. Ganesh Visarjan (immersion of idols) will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Legend behind Ganesh Chaturthi
Hindu mythology offers an interesting story of Ganesha’s birth. Once, Parvati wanted to take a bath. As she didn’t want to be interrupted during her bath, she created a boy using the dirt on her body and brought him to life. His task was to guard her while she was bathing.
After a while, Shiva returned. But the boy denied him entry to Parvati’s chambers. Annoyed, Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head. On seeing this, Parvati was distraught and demanded that Shiva revive the boy. Shiva sent his Ganas to find a suitable head. They brought back the head of a calf elephant, and it was attached to the boy’s torso, after which Shiva restored his life.
Another legend says that the gods requested Shiva and Parvati to create Ganesha. They wanted someone who could create obstacles (Vighnakarta) for their perennial enemies, the demons, and also remove obstacles for the gods (Vighnaharta)
History of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began during the Maratha leader Chhatrapati Shivaji’s time. Lord Ganesha was the Kuladevta (family deity) of the Peshawas. The celebrations began in the Maratha kingdom during the 17th century.
During British rule, nationalist leader and freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had a bright idea. As public gatherings were banned due to the Britishers’ fear that it might trigger protests against them, Tilak used the festival to bring people together in large numbers and instill patriotism. It was in 1892 that this practice began. What was until then a private celebration within the confines of the home became a public celebration on the streets of Pune and Bombay. Later, it spread to other states, too.
Ganesh Chaturthi brings all communities together, and people from all walks of life take part in it with great enthusiasm.
Vinayaka Chaturthi Rituals and Celebrations
There are 4 key rituals for Vinayaka Chaturthi – Prana Prathishtha, Shhodashopachara, Uttar Pooja, and Visarjan.
Prana Prathishtha – In this ritual, priests chant Mantras to invoke Prana or life in the idol.
Shhodashopachara – This ritual involves offering worship in 16 different ways.
Uttarpooja – Devotees bid a fond farewell to the deity.
Visarjan – The idol is immersed in a waterbody.
The 10-day festival begins with the installation of Ganesha’s idol in homes and pandals erected in the streets. The idols are adorned with flowers, lights, and decorations. People perform Poojas, chant Mantras, sing bhajans, and perform aarti to the idol. They also offer modaks, puran poli, laddoos, etc., as Neivedya. These are Ganesha’s favorite sweets. On the final day, grand processions take place as the idols are taken to nearby water bodies and immersed. As the idols are carried to the waterbodies, devotees chant ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya.’ This means ‘Farewell, Lord, please return next year.’ The ritual of immersion is called Ganesh Visarjan, and it symbolizes the people bidding farewell to Ganesha until he returns next year.
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