Mumbai, August 23, 2025 – Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 , one of India’s most cherished Hindu festivals, is set to be celebrated with fervor and devotion across the nation in 2025. This vibrant 10-day festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, honors Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obstacles, the god of wisdom, and the harbinger of prosperity. On Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Devotees are gearing up to welcome Ganpati Bappa into their homes and communities, with celebrations beginning on August 27 and concluding with the grand Ganesh Visarjan on September 6. Here’s everything you need to know about the festival’s dates, puja timings, rituals, and fasting rules for 2025.
Date and Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 will commence on Wednesday, August 27, during the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Bhadrapada month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, will span 10 days, ending with the immersion of Ganesha idols on Anant Chaturdashi, September 6. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from turmeric or sandalwood paste to guard her while she bathed. When Lord Shiva inadvertently severed Ganesha’s head, he revived him with an elephant’s head, declaring him the first deity to be worshipped, known as Pratham Pujya and Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles). The festival, popularized by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and later by Lokmanya Tilak to foster unity, is a cultural and spiritual celebration uniting communities across India, particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Puja Timings
The most auspicious time for performing Ganesh Puja is during the Madhyahna Kala (midday), believed to be the time of Lord Ganesha’s birth. According to Drik Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 1:54 PM on August 26 and ends at 3:44 PM on August 27. The Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat on August 27 is from 11:05 AM to 1:40 PM, lasting approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. Devotees are advised to avoid Rahukaal (12:22 PM to 1:59 PM) and perform the Sthapana (idol installation) during the Shukla Yoga from 12:35 PM to 1:18 PM for maximum spiritual benefits. Additionally, moon sighting should be avoided on August 26 from 1:54 PM to 8:29 PM and on August 27 from 9:28 AM to 8:57 PM to prevent Mithya Dosha, a curse linked to false accusations, as per a legend involving Lord Ganesha and the Moon.
Rituals
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 is marked by elaborate rituals that begin with the Ganesh Sthapana, where devotees install eco-friendly clay idols of Lord Ganesha on a decorated platform adorned with flowers, lights, and rangoli. The Shodashopachara Puja, a 16-step worship ritual, includes offerings of modaks (Ganesha’s favorite sweet), durva grass, red hibiscus flowers, coconut, and jaggery. The idol is bathed with Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) and adorned with sindoor, chandan, and garlands. Devotees chant mantras such as “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” and “Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha” to invoke Ganesha’s blessings. Daily aartis, bhajans, and kirtans fill homes and pandals with devotion, while community feasts and cultural programs, including music and dance, enhance the festive spirit. Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 culminates with Ganesh Visarjan on September 6, where idols are carried in grand processions with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!” and immersed in rivers, lakes, or seas, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.
Fasting Rules
Fasting during Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 is a common practice, reflecting devotion and spiritual discipline. Devotees can choose from three types of fasts: Nirjal (abstaining from food and water), Phalahar (consuming fruits, nuts, milk, and yogurt), or Satvik (eating simple vegetarian foods like sabudana, fruits, and vegetables). Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, onion, and garlic are strictly prohibited, as they are considered tamasic. Common salt is replaced with rock salt (sendha namak) for purity. Devotees are advised to hydrate well before and after a nirjal fast and maintain physical and mental purity by avoiding negative thoughts and gossip. The first meal prepared is offered to Lord Ganesha as bhog, followed by aarti, ensuring the food is satvik and prepared with devotion.
Cultural and Spiritual Impact
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 transcends religious boundaries, fostering unity and cultural pride. From eco-friendly decorations to vibrant pandals, the festival showcases India’s rich heritage. Devotees seek Ganesha’s blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and obstacle-free beginnings, making it a time for spiritual reflection and community bonding. Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 As preparations begin, the chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoes across the nation, heralding a joyous celebration of faith and togetherness.
