Ganesh Chaturthi: How to celebrate Ganeshutsav at home. Here's puja vidhi, timing and aarti (2024)

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm across India. This ten-day celebration marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the revered God of good fortune. Commencing on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar in the month of Bhadrapada, typically falling in August or September, this festival involves the installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesha in homes, temples, and temporary pandals.

Ganesh Chaturthi: How to worship Lord Ganesha

To partake in the celebration at home, one can start by acquiring a clay idol of Lord Ganesha, to be worshiped both in the morning and evening. It is customary to clean the entire house before bringing the idol home, and the entire family gathers to welcome the Lord. The idol is adorned with offerings of durva grass, flowers, modaks, and karanji.

Pooja Vidhi
Before installing the idol, it is essential to keep it on a raised platform and recite prayers and mantras. This ritual includes chanting mantras before and after the installation. Afterward, place five flowers at the feet of Lord Ganesha, followed by Padya Samarpan, where the Lord's feet are washed with holy water. Next, perform a bath known as panchamrita snaman, which involves a mixture of curd, honey, ghee, and sugar. Subsequently, give the idol a bath with pure water and offer new clothes. Additional offerings such as sindoor, naivedyam, chandan, durva, and garlands are made during the pooja vidhi. If needed, you can invite a pandit to your home to recite the mantras and perform the sixteen rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi's pooja.

Perform Aarti
Aarti holds significant importance in the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. You can pay homage to the festival by singing the following aartis:

You can recite one aarti from below:

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva

Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva;
Mata jaki parvati, pita maha deva;
Eka danta dayavanta, char bhuja dhari;
Mathe sindura sohe, muse ki savari;
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva;
Andhan ko aankh deta, kordhina ko kaya;
Banjhan ko putra deta, nirdhana ko maya;
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva;.
Paana chadhe, phoola chadhe, aur chadhe meva;
Ladduan ka bhoga lage, santa karen seva;
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva.

or

Jaidev, Jaidev, Jai Mangal Murti in Marathi

Prasad and Bhog
Legend has it that Lord Ganesha had a fondness for ladoos and modaks, sweet dumplings filled with jaggery and coconut, made from rice or wheat flour. During this festival, a variety of modaks and ladoos are prepared and offered as prasad. Approximately 21 different sweets, including modak and ladoos, are presented as bhog to Lord Ganesha.