A practical, easy-to-follow guide to the Vinayaka Chavithi puja. Read online or save as PDF using the button below.
The Vinayaka Vratha Kalpam (వినాయక వ్రత కల్పము) is the order of worship followed on Vinayaka Chavithi — Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, which falls on Monday, September 14, 2026 (India). It is observed in nearly every Telugu home: a clay idol of Lord Ganesha (మట్టి వినాయకుడు) is installed, worshipped with sixteen services and twenty-one sacred leaves, and the Vratha Katha is read before the family.
This page lays out the full sequence in plain language so that anyone can perform the puja at home with confidence. For the festival timing computed for your own city, see our Vinayaka Chavithi 2026 guide.
Arrange these before beginning so the puja flows without interruption:
The puja proceeds in this traditional order. Recite the deity’s name with each offering (for example, “Om Sri Maha Ganadhipataye namah”).
The sixteen upacharas offered in order are: Avahanam (invocation), Asanam (seat), Padyam (water for the feet), Arghyam (water for the hands), Achamaniyam (water to sip), Snanam (bath), Vastram (clothing), Yajnopavitam (sacred thread), Gandham (sandal paste), Pushpam (flowers), Dhupam (incense), Deepam (lamp), Naivedyam (food offering), Tambulam (betel), Neerajanam (camphor harati), and Mantra-pushpam with Pradakshina-namaskaram (circumambulation and prostration).
Begin by meditating on the Lord with these well-known verses:
A defining feature of the Vinayaka puja is the offering of twenty-one sacred leaves (ఏకవింశతి పత్రి), each placed at the Lord’s feet with His name. Beyond devotion, these leaves carry the medicinal plants of the late-monsoon season into the home. The traditional set is:
| # | Patri (Telugu) | Plant / Tree |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | మాచీ పత్రం | Davanam (southernwood) |
| 2 | బృహతీ పత్రం | Vakudu / yellow-berried nightshade |
| 3 | బిల్వ పత్రం | Maredu (bael) |
| 4 | దూర్వా యుగ్మం | Garika (durva grass) |
| 5 | దత్తూర పత్రం | Ummetta (datura) |
| 6 | బదరీ పత్రం | Regi (jujube) |
| 7 | అపామార్గ పత్రం | Uttareni (prickly chaff flower) |
| 8 | తులసీ పత్రం | Tulasi (holy basil) |
| 9 | చూత పత్రం | Mamidi (mango) |
| 10 | కరవీర పత్రం | Ganneru (oleander) |
| 11 | విష్ణుక్రాంత పత్రం | Vishnukranta (clitoria / dwarf morning glory) |
| 12 | దాడిమీ పత్రం | Danimma (pomegranate) |
| 13 | దేవదారు పత్రం | Devadaru (Himalayan cedar) |
| 14 | మరువక పత్రం | Maruvam (marjoram) |
| 15 | సింధువార పత్రం | Vavili (chaste tree / nirgundi) |
| 16 | జాజీ పత్రం | Jaji (jasmine) |
| 17 | గండకీ పత్రం | Devakanchanam |
| 18 | శమీ పత్రం | Jammi (shami) |
| 19 | అశ్వత్థ పత్రం | Ravi (peepal) |
| 20 | అర్జున పత్రం | Maddi (arjuna) |
| 21 | అర్క పత్రం | Jilledu (calotropis) |
After the puja, the family holds a few akshatalu and listens to the Vratha Katha. It comes in two linked parts — the origin of the Chaturthi moon-taboo, and the tale of the Syamantaka jewel (Shyamantakopakhyanam). The retelling below is in plain English.
One Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha had feasted joyfully and set off home on His little mouse. A snake crossed their path; the mouse started in fright, and Ganesha tumbled, His round belly splitting open so the sweets spilled out. Unruffled, He gathered them back and tied the snake around His waist to hold His belly closed. Watching from the sky, Chandra (the Moon) laughed at the sight. Angered by the mockery, Ganesha declared that whoever looked upon the Moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi would fall under nindā — false blame and unjust accusation. The Moon, humbled, begged forgiveness; Ganesha softened the curse, ruling that one who hears the Vratha Katha and worships Him would be freed from its effect.
In Dwaraka, Satrajit obtained the dazzling Syamantaka gem from Surya, the Sun, and it yielded gold each day. One day his brother Prasena wore it while hunting and was slain by a lion. The lion, in turn, was killed by Jambavanta, the noble bear-king, who carried the jewel to his cave as a plaything for his child.
Because Sri Krishna had once glimpsed the Moon on Chaturthi (reflected in a vessel of milk), the curse fell upon Him: Satrajit accused Krishna of coveting and stealing the gem. To clear His name, Krishna followed Prasena’s trail into the forest, found the lion and then the bear’s cave, and fought Jambavanta for twenty-eight days. Recognising at last that his opponent was none other than the Lord he revered as Rama, Jambavanta surrendered the jewel and offered his daughter Jambavati in marriage. Krishna returned the Syamantaka to Satrajit, who in remorse gave his daughter Satyabhama to Krishna.
From the sage Narada, Krishna learned that the false blame had come from seeing the Chaturthi moon, and that observing the Vinayaka Vratam and hearing this very story removes such nindā. Ever since, devotees keep the vratam, avoid gazing at the Chaturthi moon, and — should they happen to see it — read the Syamantaka story to be freed of all unjust blame.
Conclude with camphor mangala harati, singing the Lord’s praise as the family offers the flame. Then perform vayana danam — offering a plate of undrallu/fruits with tambulam and dakshina to an elder or priest, saying the traditional “వాయనం ఇస్తున్నాను పుచ్చుకో”. Finally, with udvasana, respectfully conclude the worship and ask the Lord’s pardon for anything done imperfectly. The clay idol is later immersed (nimajjanam) as per tradition.
Check the Vinayaka Chavithi muhurtham and daily Panchangam computed for your own city.
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