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7 Things You Should Never Do on Ganesh Chaturthi (And Why)

Nidhi | Aug 18, 2025, 17:26 IST
( Image credit : Freepik )

Highlight of the story: Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of devotion and discipline. While millions welcome Lord Ganesha with love, there are also traditions that guide what should never be done during the festival. From idol placement to visarjan rituals, food habits to puja practices, this article explains seven important things to avoid on Ganesh Chaturthi and why they matter. These insights will help you celebrate the festival with purity, respect, and spiritual awareness.

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival. It is a moment when homes, temples, and entire cities open their doors to the presence of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the giver of wisdom. The beating of drums, the fragrance of flowers, the offering of modaks, and the chanting of mantras create an atmosphere where the divine feels almost tangible.

But devotion is not only about what we do. It is also about what we avoid doing. Our scriptures and traditions remind us that certain actions, if ignored, can disturb the sanctity of the festival. If Ganesh Chaturthi is about welcoming Bappa into our homes and hearts, then we must also make sure our conduct honors his presence.

1. Never Place the Idol Without Proper Rituals

Lord Ganesha and the Sacr
( Image credit : Pixabay )
The idol is not simply a piece of clay or metal. Once installed with rituals, it is considered a living form of Ganesha himself. That is why the pranapratishtha, the invocation that invites the deity’s energy into the idol, is so important. Placing the idol casually or without following tradition is believed to reduce the sanctity of the festival. Ensuring that the installation is done at the right muhurta and with the right mantras sets the spiritual tone for the days that follow.

2. Never Use Plastic or Harmful Materials

Plastic is Lying to You
( Image credit : Freepik )
Ganesha is called Bhoomi Putra, the son of Mother Earth. To honor him, the idol and decorations should be in harmony with nature. Idols made of plaster of Paris or coated with chemical paints harm rivers and lakes when immersed. This not only pollutes water but also goes against the very essence of what Ganesha stands for. Traditionally, clay idols painted with natural colors were used because they dissolved easily and returned to the earth. Choosing eco-friendly idols is not just a ritual preference, it is an offering to the environment itself.


3. Never Eat Meat or Consume Alcohol During the Festival

Processed Meats
( Image credit : Freepik )
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time for satvik living, where purity of body and mind is emphasized. Eating meat or consuming alcohol is believed to disturb the spiritual energy of the festival. Food offerings to Ganesha are always vegetarian and prepared with love and devotion. Modaks, laddoos, and other simple satvik dishes symbolize abundance, joy, and inner clarity. Following this discipline helps maintain the sanctity of the celebration.

4. Never Neglect Daily Aarti and Mantras

Ganga Aarti
( Image credit : Pexels )
When the idol is installed, Ganesha becomes a member of the household. Just as you would not ignore an honored guest, neglecting daily aarti or chanting is seen as disrespectful. Morning and evening prayers, lighting a lamp, and offering flowers keep the connection alive. The Ganapati Atharvashirsha, one of the most sacred texts dedicated to Ganesha, is often recited for blessings. Consistency in devotion matters more than grandeur, and even simple daily worship is powerful when done with sincerity.

5. Never Keep the Idol After Visarjan

The immersion of the idol, or visarjan, carries a deep meaning. It is not about discarding but about returning Ganesha to his eternal form. The ritual reminds us that life itself is a cycle of arrival and departure, creation and dissolution. Keeping the idol after visarjan day or leaving it unattended breaks this sacred cycle. The tradition emphasizes detachment, teaching us to celebrate the divine presence while also letting go when the time comes.

6. Never Place the Idol in Inauspicious Locations

home temples.
( Image credit : Pixabay )
Where you place the idol matters. Ancient texts and vastu traditions recommend keeping the idol facing east, north, or west, but never south. The space should be clean, elevated, and decorated with respect. Placing the idol in cluttered, dark, or impure corners is considered inauspicious. Ganesha is the embodiment of order and wisdom, and his presence should reflect that in the space where he is worshipped.

7. Never Forget the Spirit of the Festival

Not Just Idols: The Peopl
( Image credit : Freepik )
Ganesh Chaturthi is not only about rituals and celebrations. At its core, it is about living the values Ganesha represents: humility, wisdom, patience, and faith. Sometimes the competition of pandals, extravagant displays, or focus on outward show overshadows the inner meaning. The true spirit lies in devotion, unity in the community, and remembering that Ganesha removes not only external obstacles but also the inner barriers of ego and ignorance.


Keeping Ganesha in Our Hearts

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of joy, but it is also a festival of awareness. By avoiding these seven actions, we ensure that our devotion remains pure and aligned with tradition. The presence of Ganesha in our homes is not just about those ten days; it is about the wisdom and clarity we carry long after the visarjan.

When we immerse the idol, we are reminded that forms fade but the divine spirit stays with us. The real visarjan happens in our hearts, when we dissolve pride, ignorance, and obstacles within ourselves. If we remember this, then Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a celebration once a year, but a guiding light for every day of our lives.

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