Our beloved Ganpati Bappa arrived in homes across India on September 14, 2026. This marked the start of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. As soon as the idol is installed, many devotees start wondering the same thing: How many days should Bappa stay at home before visarjan?
The good news is, there is no single right answer. Families across India follow different traditions and all of them are correct in some way or the other.
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Can Ganpati Be Immersed After 1.5, 3, 5, or 7 Days?
Yes, absolutely. Visarjan can be performed after 1.5, 3, 5, or 7 days, or on the tenth day, Anant Chaturdashi. Which one you choose depends entirely on your family’s customs and local practice. Here are the key dates for 2026:
- 1.5 Days: Tuesday, September 15
- 3rd Day: Wednesday, September 16
- 5th Day: Friday, September 18
- 7th Day: Sunday, September 20
- 10th Day (Anant Chaturdashi): Friday, September 25
1.5-Day Visarjan
This is one of the most popular home traditions. Bappa comes home on September 14 and is immersed the very next day, September 15. Even in this short time, families make sure to perform a proper farewell, with a final aarti, bhog, and blessings before the idol is taken for immersion.
3-Day Visarjan
Families following this tradition perform visarjan on September 16. Through the three days, daily prayers, aarti, and offerings continue as usual, and the celebration ends with a farewell puja on the final day.
5-Day Visarjan
Here, Ganpati stays home till September 18. Worship continues every day, and the last day includes aarti, bhog, and the traditional goodbye before the idol is immersed.
7-Day Visarjan
Those who keep Bappa for a week will perform visarjan on September 20. The routine stays the same as shorter traditions, just spread over more days.
10-Day Visarjan: Anant Chaturdashi
The grandest and most well-known conclusion to Ganeshotsav is Anant Chaturdashi, falling on September 25 this year. Families who keep Ganpati for the entire festival perform their final visarjan on this day.
Do You Have to Keep Ganpati for 10 Days?
No, not at all. Keeping the idol for the full 10 days is not compulsory. If your family has always followed a 1.5, 3, 5, or 7-day tradition, there is no need to change it. What truly matters is performing the installation, daily worship, and farewell with sincerity and devotion.
If your household has its own tradition passed down over generations, it’s best to stick with that rather than switching just because another family does it differently.
Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.