Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a prominent Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Wednesday, August 27.
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of good fortune, is honored during this festival. Devotees believe that worshipping Ganesha brings prosperity and success in their endeavors. The festival also signifies the cycle of birth, life, and dissolution, as represented by the creation and immersion of Ganesha idols.
Date and Puja Muhurat for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025
The auspicious timings for Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025 are as follows:
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 1:54 PM on August 26, 2025
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 3:44 PM on August 27, 2025
- Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat: 11:12 AM to 1:44 PM on August 27, 2025
- Duration: 2 hours and 32 minutes
The Madhyahna period, which corresponds to midday, is considered the most auspicious time for Ganesha Puja, as it is believed that Lord Ganesha was born during this time.
Rituals and Celebrations
1. Ganapati Sthapana (Installation):
- Preparation: Devotees clean their homes and set up a sacred space for the idol. A clay idol of Lord Ganesha is brought home or installed in public pandals with great enthusiasm.
- Installation: The idol is placed on a raised platform, decorated with flowers, lights, and other embellishments. A priest or the head of the family performs the installation rituals, invoking Lord Ganesha’s presence.
2. Puja (Worship):
- Sankalpa: Devotees take a vow to perform the puja with devotion and seek blessings for the well-being of the family.
- Shodashopachara Puja: This involves 16 forms of offerings, including flowers, incense, lamps, and sweets like modak, believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favorite.
- Aarti: Devotees sing hymns and perform aarti, waving lit lamps in a circular motion before the idol, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the arrival of divine light.
3. Avoiding Moon Sighting: It is traditionally advised to avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night to prevent Mithya Dosha (false accusation). In 2025, the time to avoid moon sighting is from 9:28 AM to 9:08 PM on August 27.
4. Ganesh Visarjan (Immersion): The festival concludes with the immersion of the Ganesha idol in a water body, symbolizing the return of the deity to his celestial abode and the cyclical nature of life. In 2025, Ganesh Visarjan is on Saturday, September 6.
Astrological Perspective
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed during the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapada. Performing the puja during the Madhyahna period aligns with the celestial energies, enhancing the auspiciousness of the rituals. Avoiding moon sighting during the specified time prevents the adverse effects of Mithya Dosha.
Conclusion
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that embodies devotion, cultural richness, and the spirit of community. By observing the rituals during the specified muhurat, devotees seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings for prosperity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles. As you prepare to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27, 2025, may Lord Ganesha bestow upon you and your family happiness, success, and peace.
