When is Ganesh Chaturthi? Festival Date, Calendar, and Event Info

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesha, the famous elephant-headed Hindu deity, on earth from the sacred Mount Kailash. Common festival celebrations include the private worshipping of small idols dedicated to the deity at home, as well as the setting up and decoration of massive, elaborate statues of Ganesha on public podiums known as pandals.

Ganesh Chaturthi lasts 10 days and falls on the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, meaning that the exact festival dates change every year. It's typically celebrated between August and September and, in 2022, Ganesh Chaturthi will be held between  August 30 and September 9. 

Ganesh Chaturthi Dates and Holiday Calendar

How Long is the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival?

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days and ends with Anant Chaturdashi, when statues of Ganesha are immersed into bodies of water on the eleventh day. Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi typically begin well in advance, with artisans carving out statues of the deity months before the festival.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Dates Across India

In 2022, Ganesh Chaturthi will take place between August 30nd and 31st, however it's not a public holiday across all of India. The festival is a regional holiday celebrated in states such as Maharashtra, Goa, and Tamil Nadu, as well as among Hindu communities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the UK, North America, and Mauritius.

Depending on what part of the country you're in, Ganesh Chaturthi may also be celebrated under a different name, fall on a different date, or involve different celebrations. Moreover, since it's considered an optional holiday, some companies in India may choose not to give their employees time off.

Below is a list of the different events across India, along with the dates on which they fall and a brief description of the celebrations involved:

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Ganesh Chaturthi is Determined by the Hindu Calendar

As with other Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi is based on the lunisolar Hindu calendar, which has been used by Hindus across the globe to keep track of religious festivals for thousands of years.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated during the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, otherwise known as Bhadrapada, which usually falls on the new moon between August and September every year.

Aside from Ganesh Chaturthi, a few other Hindu festivals are also celebrated throughout Bhadrapada, though Ganesh Chaturthi is the month's main festival. Some of the other festivals include Krishna Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of the deity Krishna, and Hartalika Teej Vrat, a festival welcoming the monsoon season and celebrating the union of the goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

Ganesh Chaturthi Dates: 1990 to 2030

The following is a list of all the Ganesh Chaturthi dates from 1990 to 2030:

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How to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi

As a traveler, the best thing to do during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is to go pandal hopping — which involves visiting as many Ganesh idols as you can. Considering that roughly 10,000 statues dedicated to the elephant-headed deity are installed in Mumbai alone, pandal hopping isn't as easy as it sounds!

Another great aspect of this festival is the food. Sweets are one of the main foods served at Ganesh Chaturthi, with the most popular being modak, rice dumplings filled with coconut, barfi, a sweet milk-based treat, and ladoo, fried balls of batter topped with chopped nuts or raisins.

You can also choose the watch the Pranapratishhtha Puja ritual, said to summon Ganesha's presence. In this ritual, statues of the deity are smeared with red Chandan powder and presented with various offerings such as sweets, flowers, rice, coconut, and jaggery.

At the end of the festival, don't forget to watch the Ganesha statues as they're paraded around the city and immersed into nearby bodies of water. This symbolizes the deity's homeward journey to Mount Kailash, home to his parents Shiva and arvati.

Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi With Asia Highlights

Are you ready to experience this amazing Indian festival? Asia Highlights is here to help. Get in touch with our expert travel advisors today for a fully-customized itinerary packed with personalized recommendations to help you enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi to the fullest.