Aug 25, 2025: Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025:
One of India's most celebrated festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi is a time to honor Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Every year, this festival, which lasts for ten days, is eagerly anticipated by people all over the country.

This year, the celebrations will begin on August 26 and end on September 6. During this time, devotees bring home beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha, offer prayers, sing devotional songs, and share sweets.

Ganesh Visarjan is a grand ritual performed at the end of the festival in which the idol is carried to a river or sea for immersion. Maharashtra places a special emphasis on the festival, but other states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu also celebrate it with fervor. One of the most auspicious days on the Hindu calendar is Ganesh Chaturthi, which commemorates Lord Ganesha's birthday.

According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. The festival will be observed on August 27, 2025, this year. However, due to the fact that the Chaturthi Tithi begins on August 26 at 1:54 PM and ends on August 27 at 3:44 PM, there is some ambiguity regarding the precise date. Although August 27 is the correct day for Ganesh Chaturthi puja, many people may be unsure whether to observe the festival on August 26 or 27.

Tithi and Timing for Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025

1. On August 26, the Chaturthi Tithi begins at 1:54 p.m.
2. Chaturthi Tithi Ends at 3:44 PM on August 27.

3. On August 27, Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat will take place from 11:05 to 01:40 p.m.
4. Ganesh Visarjan (Anant Chaturdashi) on September 6.
5. 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.

Key Rituals for Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025:

1. Devotees decorate their homes during the festival with vibrant flowers, lights, and rangoli designs.
2. They bring clay idols of Lord Ganesha home and place them in a spot that is holy and clean.
3. Every day, they wake up early, take a bath, and dress in clean clothes to perform puja (prayer rituals).
4. During the festival, a lot of people fast or eat simple vegetarian meals to honor the deity.
5. Bhajans, devotional songs, and dancing to drumbeats all contribute to the festive atmosphere.
6. Modak and motichoor laddus, regarded as Lord Ganesha's favorite sweets, are shared by communities and families during the celebration. The idol is taken out for immersion on the final day, Anant Chaturdashi, in a grand procession to a nearby river, lake, or sea.

In the hope that Lord Ganesha will return the following year, this visarjan act represents the cycle of birth and death in life.

On Ganesh Chaturthi, why should we avoid seeing the moon?

One important and widely followed ritual during Ganesh Chaturthi is to avoid seeing the Moon on the day of Chaturthi. This is based on an old belief connected to a Hindu mythology story.

According to the legend, once Lord Ganesha was travelling on his mouse when he stumbled and fell because of his weight. Lord Ganesha was enraged when he saw the Moon laughing at him.

On Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesha cursed the Moon, declaring that anyone who sees it will be falsely accused and dishonored. Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank is the name of this curse, which means a false accusation of theft. The story is also connected to Lord Krishna, who was once falsely accused of stealing a precious jewel called Syamantaka after he accidentally saw the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. Krishna observed a fast on Ganesh Chaturthi to lift the curse.