Gauri Ganesh Chaturthi 2026

Gauri Ganesh Chaturthi—also known as Gauri Ganesha Chaturthi or Gauriganesha Chaturthi—is a sacred and highly auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Mata Gauri (Parvati). This festival emphasizes purity, devotion, prosperity, and the blessings of divine motherhood. It is observed with great enthusiasm across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and several other regions of India. In 2026, Gauri Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Thursday, January 22, 2026, accompanied by auspicious Muhurat timings for performing the puja and avoiding moon sighting.

Gauri Ganesh Chaturthi is observed during the Chaturthi tithi dedicated to the worship of: Lord Ganesha – the remover of obstacles

Mata Gauri – the embodiment of purity, prosperity, and divine motherhood

The festival symbolizes: The bond between mother and son

The flow of blessings, fertility, beauty, and wellbeing

The removal of hurdles from one’s life

In several regions, Gauri is worshipped as: Mahalakshmi

Parvati

Durga

Shakti

Women especially observe this day for their family’s health, prosperity, and protection.

Hindu Belief According to Hindu mythology: Mata Gauri descends to bless households with peace.

Lord Ganesha removes obstacles and grants success.

Worshipping them together brings a perfect balance of Shakti and Buddhi (power and wisdom).

The festival is popularly observed by: Married women for marital harmony, protection, and prosperity

Young girls for beauty, grace, and good marriage prospects

Families seeking peace, health, and positive energy

Business owners and students praying for success

Devotees of Ganesha who observe Chaturthi vrats regularly

Anyone can observe the vrat regardless of age, gender, or caste.

1. Blessings of Gauri and Ganesha Together Worshipping both deities on this day: Removes all kinds of obstacles

Reduces negativity

Strengthens willpower and clarity

Brings prosperity and abundance

2. Protection from Misfortune The festival is believed to shield families from: Financial troubles

Illness

Unexpected problems

Conflicts and misunderstandings

3. Marital Harmony Women believe this vrat ensures: Happiness in marriage

A strong bond with the spouse

Stability in family relationships

4. Spiritual Growth Observing the vrat with devotion helps in: Reducing karmic obstacles

Increasing inner peace

Building discipline and purity

5. Attracting Prosperity Mata Gauri symbolizes: Wealth Beauty Fertility Nourishment

Therefore, the vrat is highly auspicious for women and families.

Follow these steps to perform the puja correctly: Step 1: Morning Rituals Wake up early during Brahma Muhurat. Take a holy bath. Clean the puja place. Wear fresh, simple, light-colored clothes. Women may wear traditional attire like sarees.

Step 2: Sankalp (Vow) Sit in front of the idol or picture and take a vow: To observe the vrat with purity To seek blessings for health, peace, prosperity To remove obstacles and invite divine grace

Step 3: Set Up the Puja You will need: Idol/picture of Lord Ganesha and Mata Gauri Flowers and garlands Akshata (rice mixed with turmeric) Kumkum, haldi Sandal paste Coconut, fruits, sweets Betel leaves and areca nuts Diya and incense sticks Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) Modak or laddoo

Step 4: Invocation Light the diya Offer flowers Sprinkle water Apply haldi-kumkum Chant basic mantras like:

“Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” “Om Gauryai Namah”

Step 5: Main Worship Perform: Panchopchar Puja (5 steps) or Shodashopchar Puja (16 steps) as per tradition

Offer: Panchamrit Fruits Flowers Naivedya Modaks Betel leaves

If women bring home “Gauri,” they decorate her with sarees, jewelry, kumkum, bangles, and flowers.

Step 6: Aarti Perform aarti of: Lord Ganesha Mata Gauri Sing the traditional aarti or recite Ganesha stuti.

Step 7: Fasting Traditionally, devotees observe a fast: Partial fast – fruits & milk Satvik meal once a day Full vrat – only water, or fruits (optional) The type of fasting depends on family tradition.

Step 8: Avoid Moon Sighting Do not see the moon between: 09:22 AM to 09:19 PM on Jan 22, 2026 Seeing the moon on Chaturthi may cause misunderstandings and false accusations (as per mythology).

Step 9: Parana – Breaking the Fast The fast is broken: After the Chaturthi Tithi ends Or after the evening puja Traditionally, devotees: Eat satvik food Donate food or clothes Feed cows Give offerings to Brahmins or needy people

Do’s Maintain purity and cleanliness Speak gently Follow satvik food habits Meditate during the day Offer modaks or laddoos Donate food

Don’ts Avoid anger or harsh words Do not take intoxicants Avoid onion, garlic, non-veg Avoid seeing the moon Avoid sleeping during puja time Do not eat outside food

Allowed Milk, curd, ghee Fruits & dry fruits Coconut water Rock salt Sabudana, kuttu, samak rice Satvik homemade dishes

Not Allowed Onion & garlic Non-vegetarian food Wheat or rice (for strict observers) Alcohol Junk or packaged foods

Once, Lord Ganesha was falsely accused of wrongdoing due to the sighting of the moon on Chaturthi. This caused great embarrassment to him. Seeing her son's distress, Mata Gauri advised devotees not to see the moon on this day and to worship Ganesha with complete devotion. She promised that: Those who worship both mother and son together

Observe purity and devotion

Avoid the sight of the Moon

…will be blessed with prosperity, happiness, and protection from false accusations. The vrat symbolizes the bond of divine motherhood and the power of purity and devotion to remove life’s obstacles.

1. Removal of Obstacles Lord Ganesha clears: Delays Negativity Problems in career, education, and business

2. Family Happiness Mata Gauri blesses: Harmony Peace Stability Happiness in relationships

3. Prosperity & Growth The vrat brings: Wealth Success Good fortune Financial stability

4. Protection from Misfortune Worshipping the divine mother-son duo protects from: Accidents Disputes False allegations Bad karma

5. Spiritual Upliftment The vrat purifies the mind, enhances devotion, and brings inner balance.

Ganesha Mantra “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” Gauri Stuti “Om Gauryai Namah” Shanti Mantra “Om Shanti Shanti Shantih” Chanting these mantras 108 times increases the benefits of the vrat.

At the end of the day: Perform the final aarti

Offer naivedya

Break your fast with satvik food

Donate food, fruits, or clothes

Feed birds, cows, or the needy

Express gratitude to Lord Ganesha and Mata Gauri

Such acts enhance the divine blessings.

Gauri Ganesh Chaturthi is a powerful and spiritually uplifting festival that celebrates the divine harmony of Ganesha and Gauri. Observing the vrat on January 22, 2026, with devotion and purity can bring lasting blessings, including: Prosperity Marital harmony Protection Peace Success Removal of obstacles

This sacred festival is not just a ritual but a beautiful reminder of faith, purity, and the divine grace that nurtures every household.