Before you start
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated over one and a half, three, five, seven or ten days, depending on family tradition. Check your local panchang for the sthapana muhurat, decide where the idol will sit (often the living room or mandir, in the north-east if possible), and gather decoration a few days early.
Simple makhar and backdrop ideas
- Flower makhar: marigold and rose strings on a simple frame.
- Fabric backdrop: silk or cotton saree draped in pleats.
- Banana leaves and mango leaves: traditional and eco-friendly.
- Paper or cardboard temple: painted and decorated by the family.
- Umbrella (chhatri): a small decorative umbrella above the idol.
Lights and diyas
- An akhand diya for the festival days.
- Diyas on each side of the chowki.
- Warm fairy lights on the backdrop; avoid harsh colours.
Sthapana checklist
- Chowki with a red or yellow cloth, and rice spread underneath the idol.
- Kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut.
- Durva grass, red hibiscus and other flowers.
- Modak and laddoos for bhog.
- Kumkum, haldi, akshat, sandalwood, janeu, incense and camphor.
Eco-friendly choices
- Choose a clay (shadu) idol for visarjan, or a metal idol you can worship every year.
- Use flowers, leaves, cloth and paper instead of thermocol and plastic.
- Immerse clay idols in a bucket or tub at home and use the water for plants.
Read how to choose a Ganesh idol for Ganesh Chaturthi.
A simple visarjan with children
Make visarjan a gentle family moment: sing the aarti together, let children place a flower and say "Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya" (come back soon next year), and immerse the clay idol in a tub at home. Later, pour the clay water into a plant pot and let the children look after the plant as a reminder of Bappa's visit.
Ganesha idols for your home
For year-round worship, explore our brass Ganesha, white metal Ganesh and hand-carved wooden Ganesha. See also Ganesh idol direction as per Vastu.
