Ganesh Chaturthi Dates and Puja Vidhi

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Vidhi

The date of Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. This year it’s on Friday, 25 August 2017.
Lord Ganesha is worshiped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja.

Worshipping Gods and Goddesses with all 16 rituals is known as Ganpati Shodashopachara Puja (षोडशोपचार पूजा).

1. Ganesh Avahana (आवाहन) – invoking Lord Ganesha
2. Ganpati Pratishthapan (प्रतिष्ठापन) – installing Lord Ganesha idol
3. Ganpati Aasan Samarpan (आसन समर्पण) – offering seat to Lord Ganesha
4. Ganesh Arghya Samarpan (अर्घ्य समर्पण) – offering scented water to Lord Ganesha
5. Ganesh Achamana (आचमन) – one of the most important rituals in the Hindu tradition. It is a purification ritual.
6. Snan (स्नान)
   • पञ्चामृत स्नानम्
   • पयः स्नानम्
   • दधि स्नानम्
   • धृत स्नानम्
   • मधु स्नानम्
   • शर्करा स्नानम्
   • सुवासित स्नानम्
   • शुध्दोदक स्नानम्
7. Vastra Samarpan (वस्त्र समर्पण वं उत्तरीय समर्पण)
8. Yagyopavit Samarpan (यज्ञोपवीत समर्पण)
9. Gandha (गन्ध)
10. Akshata (अक्षत) – unbroken rice for Puja
11. Pushpa Mala (पुष्प माला)
    • शमी पत्र
    • दुर्वान्कुर
    • सिन्दूर
12. Dhoop (धूप)
13. Deep Darshan (दीप दर्शन)
14. Naivedhya Nivedan (नैवेद्य निवेदन) –
15. चन्दन – sandalwood
16. Tambula Arpana (ताम्बुल अर्पण) – offering Paan made of betal nut and leaves
    • नारिकेल अर्पण
    • दक्षिणा समर्पण
17. Neeranajan (नीरानजन/आरती) – Lord Ganesha Aarti

On Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees also perform Eka Vinshati Name Ganesh Puja and Lord Ganesha Anga Puja along with the above Shodashopachara Puja.