NEW DELHI : Ganeshotsav 2026 is heading towards its grand conclusion, with devotees preparing to bid farewell to Ganpati Bappa on Friday, September 25, on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. However, there is some confusion over the date this year. While several Panchang calculations show that the Chaturdashi tithi begins late on September 24, the main Ganesh Visarjan is observed on September 25.
So, why is Ganesh Visarjan on September 25 and not September 24?
The answer lies in how Hindu festivals are determined through lunar tithis, rather than simply following the midnight-to-midnight Gregorian calendar.
When is Ganesh Visarjan 2026?
The main Ganesh Visarjan will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, which coincides with Anant Chaturdashi.
For Mumbai, the Chaturdashi tithi begins at around 11:18 pm on September 24 and continues until around 11:06 pm on September 25.
This means that although Chaturdashi begins on September 24, it is predominantly present during September 25. Anant Chaturdashi is therefore observed on September 25, which is also the day associated with the culmination of the full Ganeshotsav period.
A tithi is a lunar day determined by the relative positions of the Sun and Moon. Unlike a Gregorian calendar day, a tithi does not necessarily begin at midnight. It can begin at any time of the day and continue into the following calendar date.
In 2026, the Chaturdashi tithi begins late on the night of September 24. By the time devotees observe the festival day on September 25, Chaturdashi is already in progress. Therefore, September 24 marks the beginning of the Chaturdashi tithi, while September 25 is the date on which Anant Chaturdashi is observed.
Is September 24 a Ganesh Visarjan day?
The fact that Chaturdashi begins on September 24 does not mean that the main Ganesh Visarjan should be performed on that date.
The major Visarjan associated with the completion of the 10-day Ganeshotsav cycle is observed on Anant Chaturdashi, September 25.
Devotees who follow shorter immersion traditions may, however, perform Visarjan on earlier dates.
Ganesh idols are commonly immersed after periods such as one-and-a-half days, three days, five days or seven days, depending on family and community traditions.
So, there is no single Visarjan date that applies to every Ganpati idol.
What is the connection between Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan?
Anant Chaturdashi is observed on the 14th lunar day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. The day has its own religious significance and is traditionally associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu in his Ananta form.
It also marks the conclusion of the major Ganeshotsav celebrations for devotees who keep their idols for the full festival period.
This is why the day has become closely associated with the grand Ganesh Visarjan processions seen across Maharashtra and other parts of India.
In cities such as Mumbai and Pune, Anant Chaturdashi is marked by large public processions, devotional music, aarti and the immersion of thousands of Ganesh idols.
How does this fit into the 12-day Ganeshotsav calendar in 2026?
This year’s calendar has already attracted attention because Ganesh Chaturthi was observed on September 14, while Anant Chaturdashi falls on September 25.
Counting both dates, the main festival period spans 12 calendar dates.
But this does not mean that every household celebrates Ganeshotsav continuously for 12 days or keeps its idol for 12 days.
As explained earlier, the duration of Ganpati’s stay varies according to family and community traditions.
For many devotees, September 25 represents the culmination of the longer Ganeshotsav observance.
Why are Visarjan timings different in different cities?
While the date of Anant Chaturdashi is September 25, the exact Visarjan muhurat and auspicious timings can differ depending on location.
Hindu Panchang calculations take local sunrise, sunset and other astronomical factors into account. As a result, timings published for Mumbai may not be identical to those for Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru or other cities.
Devotees planning Visarjan should therefore refer to a Panchang calculated for their particular location.
What happens during Ganesh Visarjan?
Visarjan marks the emotional conclusion of the Ganesh festival.
Devotees perform aarti and offer prayers before taking the idol for immersion. In public celebrations, processions are often accompanied by devotional songs, dhol-tasha performances and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”.
The immersion symbolises the return of Lord Ganesha after his stay with devotees.
The farewell is accompanied by the belief that Bappa will return again the following year.
September 24 vs September 25: The simple answer
The confusion can be resolved by looking at the tithi and the festival date separately.
September 25: Anant Chaturdashi is observed and the main Ganesh Visarjan takes place.
For devotees following shorter-duration Ganpati traditions, Visarjan may have already taken place on an earlier date according to their family’s established practice.
