Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Puja Muhurat, Pran Pratishtha Timings and Immersion Guidelines

Pune, 13th September 2026: With devotees eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lord Ganesha, preparations for Ganeshotsav are in full swing across Pune. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on Monday, September 14, coinciding with Hartalika. Due to the increase in the tithi, devotees who observe the festival until Anant Chaturdashi will celebrate a 12-day Ganeshotsav.

According to Mohan Date of Date Panchang, both Hartalika Tritiya and Ganesh Chaturthi fall on September 14. Tritiya will end at 7:07 am, while Chaturthi will prevail during the midday period, making it possible to observe both vratas on the same day.

Ganesh Pran Pratishtha from 4:50 am to 1:51 pm

Date clarified that the presence of a particular tithi at sunrise or during midday is used to determine the day of the corresponding vrata. It does not mean that devotees are required to perform the puja only during that specific period.

“On September 14, Hartalika puja can be performed either before or after 7:07 am. Similarly, Parthiva Ganesh puja can also be performed before 7:07 am,” Date said.

For household Ganesh idols, installation and puja can be performed from Brahma Muhurat at 4:50 am until 1:51 pm, depending on the convenience of the devotee and the priest.

Date further said there is no need to wait for a specific muhurat or avoid Bhadrā (Vishti) and other inauspicious combinations while installing a household Ganesh idol.

Public Ganesh Mandals Can Install Idols After Noon

Public Ganesh mandals can also install and consecrate Ganesh idols after noon on September 14.

As Hartalika and Ganesh Chaturthi are separate vratas, their respective pujas can be performed according to the convenience of those observing them.

Ganeshotsav to Continue for 12 Days

Traditionally, families celebrate Ganeshotsav for one-and-a-half, three, five or seven days, while many continue the festival until Anant Chaturdashi.

This year, Anant Chaturdashi falls on September 25, making it the 12th day from Ganesh installation. Families that follow the tradition of immersing the idol on Anant Chaturdashi will therefore observe a 12-day Ganeshotsav.

Date advised devotees to perform Ganesh puja and aarti every morning and evening for as many days as the festival is observed in their household.

Clay Idols Recommended for Immersion

Date said that, according to religious tradition, the Parthiva Ganesh idol installed on Ganesh Chaturthi should eventually be immersed in water.

“The immersion does not necessarily have to take place in flowing water. It can be done in a lake, an artificial tank or even in a large bucket of water at home,” he said.

Since the idol is expected to dissolve in water after immersion, devotees are advised to use clay or Shadu-mati idols.

Hartalika Fast to Be Broken on September 15

The Hartalika fast is observed throughout the day and should be broken on Tuesday, September 15.

Those observing the Rishi Panchami fast as well should perform the Hartalika Uttar Puja and immersion on the morning of September 15. They can then break the Hartalika fast before observing the Rishi Panchami fast, as per tradition.

Ganpati to Arrive Early Next Year

According to Date, Hartalika and Ganesh Chaturthi had previously fallen on the same day in 2006 and 2009, while a 12-day Ganeshotsav was observed in 2017.

He also said devotees traditionally bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with the wish that the deity return early the following year.

“Keeping this wish of devotees in mind, Lord Ganesha will indeed arrive early next year, on September 4,” Date said.