Our Ganesha Chaturthi Celebration 2023
On ​September 18th

This year, Ganesha Chaturthi falls on September 18th in North America. This year, we will be performing Maha Yajnam to begin the festival. As per tradition, will be celebrating the festival with 10 days of puja, beginning on chaturthi (Aug. 30th). We will conclude the celebration on the 11th day by conducting visarjanam (submersion of the clay image of Lord Ganesha) at a nearby river. The worship of  Ganapati removes all sorts of obstacles and troubles and grants us buddhi (wisdom / knowledge) and siddhi (accomplishment / powers).

About Ganesha Maha Yajna

Maha yajna is performed for the benefit of society. We will be performing a grand Ganapati Maha Yajna for the occasion of  Ganesha Chaturthi. Offerings will be made of the ashta dravyas, 108 herbs, and 1000 modakas. Modakas are said to be Ganesha's favorite sweet treat. It is said that if we offer 1000 modakas , Ganesha will grant the fruit of your desires. This event will take place in Buckingham and unfortunately will not be open to the public. People can participate by sponsoring the rituals. Photos below are from our last Maha Yajnam in Hanover.  

Sponsor the Ganesha Chaturthi Celebration 

Sponsors will have their names included in our daily pujas. Please send your gotra, nakshatras, and family names (if known) when sponsoring. People can sponsor the daily pujas for $27 or sponsor the yajnam for $108 (or more). Puja sponsors will receive kumkum from the pujas and yajna sponsors will receive vibhuti from the yajna. Your sponsorship helps us to buy necessary offerings and connects you energetically to the offerings being made. Soma Matha spiritual center is a registered 501c3 Not for Profit organization and so your donations are tax deductible.   

About Ganesha Chaturthi

Also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesha Chaturthi falls annually on chaturthi (the 4th lunar phase) of the shukla paksha (waxing moon cycle), in Bhadrapada month (Aug. / Sept.). It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. There are various stories associated with the 4th lunar phase and its inauspiciousness and propensity to create obstacles. Worship of Lord Ganesha helps to remove the inauspicious nature of this time. While it is typically thought to be very inauspicious to see the Moon during this particular lunar phase, it is thought to bring good luck to see the Moon on chaturthi after worship of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated throughout India, but especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu where worship of Ganesha is popular and there are many Temples dedicated to him.