There are many festivals in India where the meaning and significance of the festival matter more than the celebrations. One of such festivals is the upcoming Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi on January 22, 2026. This festival is known as the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth in Kailash, the abode of Shiva and Parvati. What is the significance of this festival? How is it celebrated? Here’s everything you must know about Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi.
All About Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi 2026
Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Mahurat, and Significance
Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Ganesh Jayanti, Sakat Chauth, Magh Vinayak Chaturthi, Til Chaturthi, Tilkut Chaturthi, and Til Kund Chaturthi. This festival will be celebrated on January 22, this year, across Maharashtra and many other parts of India.
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity in Hinduism, is known to be the remover of obstacles. He is also known as the god of wisdom, beginnings, and knowledge. He is one of the most loved deities of Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, Magh Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Jayanti is believed to be the day when Lord Ganesha was born. The jayanti falls on the fourth day of the lunar month of the Hindu calendar known as Magha, which is typically in February or January.
The chaturthi tithi, as per the Hindu panchanga, will begin at 02:47 AM on January 22, 2026, and end on January 23, 2026, at 02:28 AM. The most auspicious puja muhrat, also known as Madhyana muhrat, will be from 11:29 AM to 01:37 PM. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born during the Madhyana period, and hence performing puja rituals during this period is considered auspicious.
Difference between Maghi Ganesh and Bhadrapada Ganesh Chaturthi
While Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, Bhadrapada Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates his rebirth and arrival on earth. While the latter is celebrated for 10 days in a very grand manner with large idols and processions, the former is a very quiet celebration focusing more on devotion.
One common factor among the two is that on Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi and on the first day of Bhadrapad Ganesh Chaturthi, it is forbidden to see the moon. It is believed that it brings Mitya Dosha to the one who sees it. Mitya Dosha means that the person will be accused of false blame, bringing shame to their life.
Story of Ganesha’s Birth From Turmeric (Ubtan)
According to the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Parvati, once, in her abode in Kailash, wished for a child in the absence of her husband, Lord Shiva. She was bathing and had applied turmeric paste or ubtan on her body. Goddess Parvati created a human boy from the paste she had applied to her body and breathed life into it.
She named him Vinayak and asked him to guard the entrance as she was bathing. Suddenly, Lord Shiva came back from his meditation, only to be barred from entering the space by Vinayak. The argument between the two turned into a battle, which resulted in Lord Shiva getting angry and throwing his trishul at the young boy.
The trishul cut off Vinayak’s head from his body, and he lay down in a pool of blood. The thud was so loud that Goddess Parvati came out of her room and could not believe her eyes. Goddess Parvati got angry and demanded that Lord Shiva bring Vinayak back to life. Shiva replaced Vianyak’s head with the head of an elephant that was sleeping with its head in the south direction.
He revived Vinayak and named him Ganesha, which means the leader of Shiva’s ganas. Later, all the deities showered their blessings on him, making him the god of prosperity, wisdom, and auspiciousness.
Maghi Ganesh Jayanti Puja Vidhi at Home
- Clean the house, take a bath, and wear clean yellow or red clothes.
- Now, clean the puja area and place a wooden platform covered with a red cloth.
- Place a kalash with water, coconut, and mango leaves.
- Hold water in your right palm and take a vow of devotion while chanting the mantra.
- Place a small idol or Ganesha idol in front of the kalash and chant “Om Gan Ganpataye namah”.
- Now offer Shodashopachara (16 offerings).
- Recite Ganapati Atharvashirsha and Ganesh Mantra.
- Do camphor waving or agabatthi arti while singing Ganesh aarti.
Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi Fasting Rules for 2026
Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi fast is an optional fast that generally devotees keep for wisdom or the removal of any obstacle. The rules are quite simple and similar to those of other fasts. It is observed from sunrise to moonrise, emphasizing purity and sattvic food.
It is not a no-food and no water fast; devotees are permitted to eat certain permitted foods. Tilkut or sesame-jaggery laddos, banana, apple, curd, milk, nuts, sabudana khichdi, herbal drinks, and modak are some permitted food items. Similarly, alcohol, meat-based food, processed food, tamasic food, garlic, rice, wheat, pulses, and onion are some non-permitted foods.
Maghi Ganeshotsav celebrations in Konkan and Maharashtra
Maghi Ganeshotsav is more like a festival in the Konkan and Maharashtra regions. But the grandeur of this festival is smaller and quieter compared to the Ganesh Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapad.
People bring or make small clay idols of Lord Ganesha at home for generally 1.5 to 7 days. They perform abhishekam and offer tilkut ladoo, sugarcane juice, and modak to god. Though the processions are minimal in comparison to the main Ganesh Chaturthi festival but the devotion in the air is unmatched.
The coastal temples and Asthavinayak shrines host special aarti and darshan during this utsav. The pujas are women-led, as many shrines and temples are known to invoke fertility blessings according to the temple lore.
Importance of the Ashtavinayak Yatra during Maghi Ganesh
The Ashtavinayak yatra is one of the most revered and important pilgrimages of Lord Ganesha’s temples. It is a sacred pilgrimage to visit the eight temples of Lord Ganesha, which as self-manifested or swayambhu. The name “Ashtavinayak” means eight Vinayakas, and all these temples are situated in different regions of Maharashtra.
- Mayureshwar in Morgaon
- Siddhivinayak in Siddhatek
- Ballaleshwar in Pali
- Mahaganapati in Ranjangaon
- Varad Vinayak in Pawna
- Chintamani in Theur
- Girijatmaj in Lenyadri
- Vighnahar in Ozar
The Ashtavinayak Yatra during Maghi Ganesh Jayanti holds a lot of importance as it is believed to amplify Lord Ganesha’s blessings. Devotees undertake this three-day pilgrimage, which starts in a clockwise sequence, starting from Morgaon and ending at Ozar without any breaks. This non-stop darshan is said to remove obstacles, bring prosperity, and wisdom.
Summing Up
Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth, and this year it falls on January 22. It is different from the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in Bhadrapad because Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the rebirth of Ganesha in a grand manner.
FAQs
Why is Maghi Ganesh Jayanti celebrated?
Maghi Ganesh Jayanti is celebrated because it is believed that on this day, Lord Ganesha was born.
Why Do We Offer Sesame (til) or Tilkut Ladoo on Maghi Chaturthi?
Sesame (til) and tilkut laddoos are believed to purify the body and mind.
Why is it forbidden to see the moon on Maghi Ganesh Jayanti?
Lord Ganesha had once cursed the moon for his inappropriate behaviour that whoever sees him will fall prey to Mitya Dosha, and hence it is forbidden to see the moon.
When is Maghi Ganesh Jayanti 2026?
January 22, 2026
Is Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi different from the 10-day Ganpati festival?
Yes, Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth, while the latter is the celebration of his arrival on earth.
What is the tithi for Maghi Ganesh Chaturthi?
Magha Shukla Chaturthi
What are the Benefits of chanting Ganpati Atharvashirsha on Maghi Ganesh Jayanti?
Chanting Ganapati Atharvashirsha on Maghi Ganesh Jayanti brings wisdom, removes obstacles, and offers spiritual fulfilment.
What Is Mithya Dosha?
Mitya Dosha means being accused of false blame.
