Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 in Mumbai is a 10-day cultural festival that transforms the city into a giant celebration of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. The 2026 festival begins on Monday, September 14, 2026, the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, with the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat from 11:02 AM to 01:31 PM in Mumbai. The Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi falls on Friday, September 25, 2026, and devotees also perform visarjan on 1.5-day, 3-day, 5-day, 7-day or 11-day cycles depending on family tradition. The festival, started in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak as a public celebration, is the largest in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa and Gujarat.
Mumbai’s Ganesh Chaturthi is also the biggest seasonal market for brass idols in western India. A brass Ganesh idol is the centrepiece of the home mandap, supported by brass Riddhi-Siddhi, brass Lakshmi, brass modak plates and brass diyas. To view the full Ganesh and festival range, browse the brass idol catalog. For more Ganesh and Maharashtra festival themes, read the festival blog.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Dates, Tithi and Visarjan Calendar
As per Drik Panchang and SmartPuja, the 2026 Ganesh Chaturthi calendar runs as follows:
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Sthapana): Monday, September 14, 2026 (Monday)
- Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat (Mumbai): 11:20 AM to 01:48 PM, duration 02 hours 28 minutes
- Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 08:36 PM on September 13, 2026
- Chaturthi Tithi Ends: 09:14 PM on September 14, 2026
- 1.5 Day Visarjan: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- 3 Day Visarjan: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- 5 Day Visarjan: Friday, September 18, 2026
- 7 Day Visarjan: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan: Friday, September 25, 2026
Moon sighting on Ganesh Chaturthi is prohibited because the Moon God is believed to have mocked Lord Ganesha’s appearance, leading to the Mithya Dosha curse. Devotees therefore avoid looking at the moon from 08:36 PM on September 13 to 08:45 PM on September 14. The 21 modak offering, 21 blades of durva grass and 21 urad dal laddus are the most auspicious naivedya for Bappa.
Lalbaugcha Raja and Mumbai’s Famous Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals
Lalbaugcha Raja is Mumbai’s most revered Sarvajanik Ganesh mandal, established in 1934 by the Koli fishermen of Chinchpokli and currently run by the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. The idol is also called Navsacha Ganpati (the fulfiller of wishes), and the daily queue during the 10-day festival exceeds 15 lakh devotees, with an average wait time of 20 to 25 hours. The visarjan procession on Anant Chaturdashi travels from Lalbaug to Girgaon Chowpatty and then immerses the idol in the Arabian Sea in the early hours of the next morning, with the Chief Minister and Deputy CM traditionally present.
Other famous Mumbai Ganesh mandals in 2026 are Khetwadi 12th Lane (Laxminarayan Chawl), Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal in Kings Circle, Andhericha Raja, Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, Chinchpokli Cha Raja, Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja, Kalachowki Cha Maharaja, Tardeo Cha Raj, and Girgaon Cha Maharaja. Each mandal spends between 50 lakh and 5 crore on theme, decoration, idol and social programmes.
Ganesh Chaturthi Home Puja, Aarti and Modak Traditions
The 2026 Ganesh Chaturthi home puja starts with the Ganesh Sthapana on September 14 in the morning, with a clay or brass idol installed on a wooden chowki, draped in red and yellow cloth. The Prana Pratishtha is performed during the Madhyahna muhurat with the Ganesh Atharvashirsha chant, followed by Shodashopachara puja. Morning and evening aarti, with the popular “Jai Ganesh Deva” and “Sukh Karta Dukh Harta” songs, continues for 1.5 to 11 days depending on the family tradition.
The modak (steamed or fried dumpling filled with coconut and jaggery) is Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet, and 21 modaks are offered on the main day. Other offerings include laddus, coconut, bananas, durva grass, red flowers, sandalwood, incense, ghee diya and panchamrit. Brass modak plates, brass diya stands, brass aarti thali and brass kalash are widely used during the puja. On the final day, the brass idol is carefully lifted, aarti is performed, and the family chants “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (come back soon next year) before the visarjan in a nearby sea, river, lake or even a bucket at home.
Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols, Visarjan Rules and Mumbai Civic Guidelines
Eco-friendly Ganesh idols made of red soil, organic fertiliser, natural colours and plant seeds (Tree Ganesha, seed Ganesha) are the new standard for the 2026 season, and brands like Tree Ganesha, My Pooja Box, and the BMC offer home delivery across India. The idols can be planted in a backyard after visarjan, where the seed germinates into a tree within 7-10 days, reducing water-body pollution. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board have issued 2026 guidelines banning plaster of Paris, toxic paints, plastic flowers, thermocol and idols taller than 6 feet in residential areas.
For Lalbaugcha Raja and other mandals, the BMC has earmarked 188 artificial ponds (visarjan kund) across Mumbai for safe immersion. Devotees are also encouraged to use a bucket of water at home for the visarjan, sprinkle tulsi water on the idol, and avoid plastic carry bags. The chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” is the unifying call across all mandals, and Mumbai’s traffic police release a detailed visarjan route map on the mumbai.police.gov.in portal a week before Anant Chaturdashi.
Brass Idols, Decor and Deshna Wholesale for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026
For a long-lasting, reusable Ganesh mandap, a brass Ganesh idol is the ideal choice. Deshna Wholesale from Khatauli supplies hand-cast brass Ganesha murtis in 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 inch sizes, with brass Riddhi-Siddhi, brass Lakshmi, brass modak plates, brass diya stands, brass kalash and brass aarti thalis. Their brass idols are sold across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Gulf diaspora, and the team offers bulk rates for sarvajanik mandals, retailers and temple trusts. Browse the brass idol catalog for the 2026 Ganesh Chaturthi range or contact the team on WhatsApp +91 93586 85800 for custom festival hampers and dealership enquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
A: Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 falls on Monday, September 14, 2026. The Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat in Mumbai is from 11:20 AM to 01:48 PM, and Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan is on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Q: What is the date of Lalbaugcha Raja Visarjan 2026?
A: Lalbaugcha Raja Visarjan 2026 will be on Friday, September 25, 2026 (Anant Chaturdashi), with the idol travelling from Lalbaug to Girgaon Chowpatty and immersing in the Arabian Sea in the early hours of Saturday, September 26.
Q: How many days is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
A: Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 11 days depending on family tradition. The 10 or 11 day visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi is the most common for sarvajanik mandals in Mumbai.
Q: Why is moon sighting prohibited on Ganesh Chaturthi?
A: Moon sighting is prohibited because the Moon God mocked Lord Ganesha’s appearance and was cursed with Mithya Dosha (false accusation of theft). Devotees therefore avoid the moon from the night before to the night of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Q: Can I buy a brass Ganesh idol for home mandap?
A: Yes. Deshna Wholesale supplies brass Ganesh idols in 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 inch sizes, with brass Riddhi-Siddhi, brass Lakshmi, brass modak plates and brass aarti thalis. The idols are reusable for years and ideal for eco-friendly visarjan at home.
Conclusion: Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 in Mumbai is a 10-day cultural carnival blending Marathi devotion, dhun drums, modak offerings, Lalbaugcha Raja darshan, theme pandals and Anant Chaturdashi visarjan. Whether you line up at Lalbaugcha Raja, attend a local mandal, or perform the home puja with a brass Ganesh idol and 21 modaks, the festival is a powerful invocation of Lord Ganesha’s blessings for new beginnings.
For wholesale brass Ganesh idols, Riddhi-Siddhi murtis and Ganesh Chaturthi accessories, visit the brass idol catalog or reach the team on WhatsApp +91 93586 85800 for sarvajanik mandal, retailer and temple trust enquiries across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the diaspora.