look news india
The arrival of Lord Shri Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles in Sanatan culture and Hindu religion, every year brings new enthusiasm, happiness, prosperity and positive energy in the lives of the devotees. Crores of Sanatan lovers in the country and the world wait for this ten-day long Mahaparva Ganesh Utsav, starting from the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, throughout the year. This year, this holy festival of Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 has brought a very special coincidence, for which preparations have already started from homes to big pandals. To welcome Bappa, people clean their houses, decorate them grandly with flowers and lights and install Lord Ganesha in their homes with full rituals. However, according to religious beliefs and scriptures, from bringing the idol of Bappa home to its installation and immersion, some strict rules and special precautions have been prescribed, following which is considered extremely mandatory for every devotee. If any mistake is made in these rules or small things even unknowingly, it can have a negative impact on the overall outcome of the puja. Therefore, to get Bappa’s blessings and maintain the abode of Riddhi-Siddhi in the house, it is important that you know well all these important guidelines and rules of establishment related to Ganesh Chaturthi.
Selecting the idol for installing Ganpati in the house during Ganeshotsav is considered to be the first and most important step. In the market, you will find all kinds of beautiful idols made of plaster of Paris i.e. POP, smooth clay, metal or wood, but according to the scriptures, for the environment and the happiness and peace of the house, one should always bring home the idol of Lord Ganesha made of natural eco-friendly i.e. pure clay. While buying the idol, take special care that Bappa’s trunk should always be bent towards the left because Ganesha with left trunk is considered to be dear to Vakratunda and Modak, which are symbols of happiness and peace in the house. Apart from this, the idol should have Lord Ganesha with his vehicle Mushak and holding Modak in his hands. While bringing the idol home, keep in mind that it should not be fragmented or broken anywhere. While bringing the idol home, one should enter it with respect by keeping a clean cloth or chunni on the head and cheering the entire family members, which removes the negative energy of the house and infuses positivity.
It is considered very important from the point of view of Vastu Shastra to choose the right direction of the puja room or living room for the establishment of Bappa in the house. According to Sanatan tradition, the north-east direction of the house is considered the most sacred and the place of Gods, hence Lord Ganesha should always be established in this direction. If there is no space in the north-east corner, you can also choose the east or north direction, but take special care that Bappa’s face should never be towards the south. On the day of installation, first of all spread a clean red or yellow colored cloth on the post and place some Akshat i.e. rice on it and install Ganapati on it. Sthapana should always be done in Abhijeet Muhurta or the auspicious Choghadiya time prescribed by the Pandit, because the results of worship and Sthapana done in auspicious time are manifold. Fill an urn with water near the post and place betel nut, mango leaves and coconut in it, which is considered a symbol of the presence of Lord Varun.
After Ganesh Sthapana, worship of Lord Ganesha is started with Pran Pratishtha and Shodashopachar method. First of all, bathe Bappa with water, after that offer him pure clothes or sacred thread. Lord Ganesha is very fond of vermilion, roli, akshat, durva grass and red flowers, hence during the puja, make a pair of 21 bundles of durva and offer it to him. Talking about offering, Vighnaharta likes offering Modak and Laddus the most, hence from the first day till Anant Chaturdashi, he should offer different types of Modak and fruits every day. At the end of the puja, recitation of Ganesh Chalisa, recitation of Atharvashirsha and performing aarti with proper rituals is considered extremely fruitful. During the puja, do not harbor any hatred or negative feelings towards anyone and remain absorbed only in the meditation of God with full devotion.
During these ten days of Ganesh Utsav, special care has to be taken of the purity and discipline of the house. Consumption of tamasic food i.e. onion, garlic, meat, liquor or any kind of intoxicant is considered completely prohibited in or around the house where Bappa resides. Apart from this, the house should never be left deserted, that is, at least one member should be present at home 24 hours a day and even at night, a small lamp should remain burning continuously. Tulsi leaves should never be used in the worship of Lord Ganesha, because according to the legend, Tulsi ji had cursed Lord Ganesha, hence Tulsi is considered prohibited. Apart from this, one should never see the back of the idol of Lord Ganesha because it is believed that seeing the back of the idol brings poverty in the house, hence install the idol close to the wall or towards the front so that only his face and stomach can always be seen.
After serving Lord Ganesha with full grandeur and devotion for ten days, Bappa is bid farewell on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. On the day of immersion, take bath in the morning and worship Lord Ganesha again as per the rituals, offer curd, modak and fruits to him and pray for forgiveness for any mistake committed unknowingly. Before immersion, Bappa’s Aarti is performed and he is prayed to come early next year. If you have installed an eco-friendly clay idol, then you can immerse it in a pot in your house or in a holy river or pond, so that the idol dissolves easily in water and does not cause any harm to the environment. By following all these rules properly, Bappa fulfills all the wishes of his devotees and removes all the troubles from their lives.