Samagri (Materials Needed)
गणेश जी की मूर्ति (मिट्टी की) चौकी, लाल/पीला वस्त्र रोली, चावल, हल्दी, कुमकुम दूर्वा घास (21 गांठें) मोदक/लड्डू (21 अथवा जितने उपलब्ध हों) जनेऊ (यज्ञोपवीत) लाल फूल, विशेषकर गुड़हल दीपक, घी, बत्ती धूप, अगरबत्ती, कपूर पान का पत्ता, सुपारी, नारियल
Ganesha idol (clay) Chowki, red/yellow cloth Roli, rice, turmeric, kumkum Durva grass (21 blades) Modak/laddu (21 or as available) Sacred thread (janeu) Red flowers, especially hibiscus Diya, ghee, wick Dhoop, incense, camphor Betel leaf, betel nut, coconut
Step-by-Step Vidhi
1. Install the Ganesha idol on a decorated chowki after Pran Pratishtha (invoking life into the idol) with mantras and akshat. 2. Perform Shodashopachara (16-step) puja: offer water for washing feet/hands, panchamrit snan, fresh water bath, new cloth/thread, sandalwood paste, flowers, durva grass in bunches of 21, dhoop and deep. 3. Offer 21 modaks or laddus as naivedya, chanting "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" or the Ganesh Ashtottara 108 names during archana. 4. Perform aarti (Jai Ganesh Deva) with the whole family. 5. Repeat daily worship for the duration of the festival (1.5, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days as per family tradition). 6. On the final day, perform a farewell puja and take the idol for Visarjan (immersion) in a water body with a procession.
Auspicious Timing & Mantras
Performed each morning during Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi), ideally during the Madhyahna (midday) muhurat when Ganesha is believed to have been born. Chant the Ganesh Chalisa or Sankashtanashana Ganesh Stotram daily. Believed to remove obstacles and bring success to new beginnings undertaken during this period.