Ganesh Chaturthi is the fourth day of the waxing Moon in Bhadra. For Bengalis Ganesh is the plump elder son who stands at Durga's right hand, and his own festival was until recently a small household puja. In the last two decades public Ganesh pujas have multiplied across Kolkata, and the day now opens the festive season: the potters of Kumortuli are already at work on the Durgas.
The story
In the Bengali image of Durga and her family, Ganesh stands beside a banana plant draped in a red-bordered white sari. She is the Kola Bou, popularly called his bride, in fact the Nabapatrika, nine plants bound together to stand for the goddess.
Traders in Bengal worship Ganesh with Lakshmi on the new year as the giver of success, and his picture hangs over every shop counter.
How it is kept
- PujaIn homes, shops and a growing number of pandals.
- Modak and laddooWith narkel naru, coconut balls.
- DurbaTwenty-one blades of durba grass are offered.
- BisarjanImmersion in the Hooghly after one to five days.
Why this date
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Chaturthi of the bright fortnight of Bhadra, on the day it is present at midday.
Ganesh Chaturthi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Tuesday | |
| 2030 | Sunday |
More Bengali festivals
4 SeptemberJanmashtamiজন্মাষ্টমী
19 OctoberMaha Ashtamiমহাষ্টমী
28 AugustRakhi Purnimaরাখী পূর্ণিমা
20 OctoberMaha Navamiমহানবমী
29 JulyGuru Purnimaগুরু পূর্ণিমা
21 OctoberBijoya Dashamiবিজয়া দশমী
Where to see Ganesh Chaturthi
In West Bengal
- Kumortuli, KolkataWest BengalThe image-makers' quarter, with Ganeshas going out and Durgas taking shape.
- Burrabazar, KolkataWest BengalThe trading district, where the festival has long been kept.
- Salt Lake, KolkataWest BengalThe new township's large public pujas.
Across India
- MumbaiMaharashtraThe ten-day festival in its home.
- PuneMaharashtraWhere the public celebration began.
- HyderabadTelanganaThe giant Ganesh of Khairatabad.