Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Today: Know Anant Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi, Muhurat and Important Rituals
Ganesh Visarjan 2026 is being observed today, September 25, on the auspicious occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. After days of prayers, celebrations and offerings, devotees will bid an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha with the traditional chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
Ganeshotsav begins with Ganesh Chaturthi, when devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes and community pandals. Depending on family traditions, idols may be immersed after one-and-a-half days, three days, five days, seven days or later. However, Anant Chaturdashi is traditionally one of the most important days for Ganesh Visarjan and marks the conclusion of the festival for many devotees.
Before the idol is taken for immersion, families generally perform a final puja and aarti, offer Lord Ganesha his favourite foods and pray for his return the following year.
Here's what devotees should know about the Ganesh Visarjan rituals, puja method and the religious significance of Anant Chaturdashi.
Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi
Anant Chaturdashi falls on the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month in the Hindu calendar.
The day carries two major religious associations. It is traditionally dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu in his Anant form, while it is also widely observed as the final and most prominent day of Ganesh Visarjan.
In Maharashtra and several other parts of the country, large public Ganesh idols are taken out in processions before being immersed in designated water bodies or artificial immersion facilities.
For devotees, the immersion does not simply represent the end of Ganeshotsav. It symbolises the cycle of creation and dissolution and the belief that Lord Ganesha returns to his divine abode while continuing to bless his devotees.
Ganesh Visarjan 2026 Shubh Muhurat
Devotees traditionally prefer to perform Ganesh Visarjan during an auspicious period on Anant Chaturdashi.
However, the exact shubh muhurat can vary according to location and the panchang being followed.
The supplied source excerpt identifies September 25 as the day of Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan but does not provide the complete start and end timings for the immersion muhurat.
Devotees who wish to follow a precise muhurat should therefore check the local panchang or consult a knowledgeable priest for the timings applicable to their city.
Ganesh Visarjan Puja Vidhi
Before taking Ganpati Bappa for immersion, devotees traditionally perform a final puja at home or at the pandal.
Begin by cleaning the puja area and preparing the offerings. Light a diya and incense and offer flowers to Lord Ganesha.
Devotees may offer modak, laddoo, fruits and other prasad according to family customs. Durva grass and flowers are also traditionally associated with the worship of Lord Ganesha.
Family members can then perform Ganesh aarti together and pray for happiness, prosperity, wisdom and protection.
Before moving the idol, devotees traditionally thank Lord Ganesha for staying in their home during Ganeshotsav and seek forgiveness for any mistakes that may have occurred during the rituals.
The idol is then respectfully prepared for the visarjan procession.
What to Do Before Taking the Idol for Visarjan
The farewell should be performed respectfully rather than in a hurry.
After the final aarti, devotees can offer prasad and distribute it among family members and others present.
Depending on local traditions, the idol may be moved slightly from its original position before being carried for immersion. Families can then begin the farewell procession while chanting prayers and devotional slogans.
One of the most commonly heard chants during the procession is “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya,” expressing the wish that Lord Ganesha return soon the following year.
Why Is Ganesh Visarjan Performed?
Ganesh Visarjan carries a symbolic meaning within Hindu tradition.
An idol made from earth or other natural materials is worshipped as a physical representation of the deity during the festival. At the end of the celebration, the idol is immersed, symbolically returning it to nature.
The ritual is often interpreted as a reminder that physical forms are temporary while the divine presence remains eternal.
This is also why devotees celebrate Ganesh Visarjan with a combination of joy and emotion. Although the physical idol is being bid farewell, devotees traditionally pray for Lord Ganesha's blessings to remain with the family.
Importance of Anant Chaturdashi
Anant Chaturdashi is not limited to Ganesh Visarjan.
The occasion is also associated with Lord Vishnu's Anant form. Devotees who follow the Anant Chaturdashi vrat worship Lord Vishnu and pray for prosperity, peace and relief from difficulties.
Rituals can differ considerably depending on region and family tradition.
Because the festival has both Vishnu worship and Ganesh Visarjan traditions associated with it, Anant Chaturdashi holds special importance in many parts of India.
Keep These Rules in Mind During Ganesh Visarjan
Devotees participating in Ganesh Visarjan should follow local administration and police instructions, particularly where large processions are expected.
Crowded immersion points can pose safety risks, so children should remain under adult supervision. People should avoid entering deep water or attempting immersion at unsafe locations.
Where authorities have established artificial immersion tanks or designated visarjan sites, devotees can use these facilities instead of entering rivers, lakes or the sea.
Eco-friendly practices can also help reduce the environmental impact of the festival. Idols made from natural clay and environmentally safer materials are preferable to materials that may contaminate water bodies.
Decorative items, plastic, flowers and other waste should not be thrown indiscriminately into water.
An Emotional Farewell to Ganpati Bappa
For millions of devotees, Ganesh Visarjan is one of the most emotional moments of Ganeshotsav.
After welcoming Bappa, performing daily aarti and offering prayers throughout the festival, families come together for the final worship before the idol is immersed.
On September 25, 2026, Anant Chaturdashi once again marks the major concluding day of Ganeshotsav.
Devotees performing the immersion should follow their local panchang for the precise shubh muhurat, observe the rituals according to their family tradition and comply with safety and environmental guidelines issued by local authorities.
The farewell ends with a hopeful message that captures the spirit of the celebration—Ganpati Bappa departs today, with devotees praying for his return next year.