Ganesh Chaturthi, the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadarvo, has grown into a major public festival in Gujarat, above all in Vadodara and Surat. The same days hold two things that are Gujarat's own. The Jains end Paryushan with Samvatsari, the day of asking forgiveness. And in Surendranagar district the Tarnetar fair gathers the pastoral communities of Saurashtra under their embroidered umbrellas.
The story
Vadodara owes its Ganesh festival to its Maratha rulers, the Gaekwads, whose palace Ganpati is still installed each year. Surat's is newer and larger.
The Tarnetar fair is held at the Trinetreshwar temple, linked by legend to Draupadi's swayamvar. Young men of the Bharwad, Rabari and Koli communities sit under umbrellas they have embroidered and mirrored themselves, to be chosen by a bride.
How it is kept
- SthapanaGanesh is installed at home or in the pandal for up to ten days.
- LaduChurma na ladu and modak are his offering.
- SamvatsariJains fast and say "Michhami Dukkadam", asking pardon of everyone for any hurt done in the year.
- TarnetarThree days of fair, with the hudo dance and the raising of the flag.
- VisarjanImmersion in rivers, the sea and, increasingly, artificial ponds.
Why this date
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Chaturthi of the bright half of Bhadarvo, on the day it is present at midday.
Ganesh Chaturthi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Tuesday | |
| 2030 | Sunday |
More Gujarati festivals
4 SeptemberJanmashtamiજન્માષ્ટમી
19 OctoberNavratri and Athamનવરાત્રી · આઠમ
28 AugustRaksha Bandhanરક્ષાબંધન
19 OctoberNavratri Nomનોમ · મહા નવમી
29 JulyGuru Purnimaગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા
20 OctoberDussehraદશેરા
Where to see Ganesh Chaturthi
In Gujarat
- VadodaraGujaratThe old Maratha capital, with its palace Ganpati and hundreds of pandals.
- SuratGujaratTens of thousands of public images across the city.
- TarnetarGujaratThe fair at the Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple.
- Siddhivinayak, MahemdavadGujaratA temple built in the shape of Ganesh himself, on the Vatrak river.
Across India
- MumbaiMaharashtraThe festival in its home, with Lalbaugcha Raja.
- PuneMaharashtraWhere the public celebration began.
- RanthamboreRajasthanThe Trinetra Ganesh in the fort, to whom wedding invitations are posted.