Monday, September 14
Ganesh Chathurthi
Ganesha Moola Vigraha Abhisheka and Vinayaka Sthapana, followed by Samoohika Ganesha Pooja, Maha Mangalarati and prasadam.
Upcoming festival
Ganesha Festival 2026
Six days with Vinayaka — from clay, and back to clay
Monday, September 14 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
Hindu Temple of Central Illinois · 4210 W. Temple Hill, Peoria, IL 61604
Ganesh Chathurthi falls on Monday, September 14, 2026
Clay Ganeshas
Our Ganeshas come from clay and return to clay
Ganesha is welcomed home as a guest, worshipped for the days of the festival, and then returned to the water — the murthi dissolves and the elements go back where they came from. Clay is what makes that possible.
Only temple-sourced clay Ganeshas are accepted for temple poojas and visarjan. Store-bought murthis are unlikely to dissolve on immersion and are therefore not good for the water or the land.
Sponsors can sponsor a clay Ganesha or request one for their own home worship. A five-foot Ganesha made of paper mesh takes center stage during the festival.
The six days
Tuesday, September 15
Festival day two
Daily abhisheka, darshan, sankalpas and archanas in your family's name.
Wednesday, September 16
Festival day three
Daily abhisheka, darshan, sankalpas and archanas.
Thursday, September 17
Festival day four
Daily abhisheka, darshan, sankalpas and archanas.
Friday, September 18
Festival day five
Daily abhisheka, darshan, sankalpas and archanas.
Saturday, September 19
Final day & Visarjan
Darshan, sankalpas, archanas and the immersion of the clay Ganeshas.
Daily abhisheka and pooja timings are confirmed by the temple office in the days before the festival. Call (309) 671-5668 for the day you plan to come.
Words you will hear
- Vinayaka / Ganesha
- The remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings, invoked first before any undertaking.
- Chaturthi
- The fourth day of the lunar fortnight. Ganesh Chathurthi marks Ganesha's appearance and opens the festival.
- Sthapana
- The installation of the murthi, inviting the deity to be present for the festival.
- Samoohika Pooja
- A group worship performed together by all the families gathered, not one at a time.
- Naivedya
- Food offered to the deity before anyone eats. Ganesha's Naivedya Laddu is shared back as prasadam.
- Modhaka
- The sweet dumpling that is Ganesha's most beloved offering.
- Visarjan
- The farewell — the clay murthi is immersed in water and dissolves back to earth.
- Abhisheka
- Ceremonial bathing of the deity with water, milk, honey, sandal and other substances.
Coming for the first time
Everyone is welcome
You do not need to be Hindu or know the prayers. Come as you are, sit, watch and follow along.
Shoes off, modest dress
Footwear stays at the entrance. Simple clothing covering shoulders and knees is ideal.
Take-out prasadam
Prasadam is provided every day of the festival, and includes the Ganesha laddu.
Bring the children
Ganesha's festival is the friendliest introduction there is. Children are expected.
Sponsorships
Sponsor the Ganesha Festival
Every amount is paid securely through Square, and HTCI is a 501(c)(3) — your gift is tax deductible.
- A sponsorship is a seva — offered in your family's name, with a sankalpam spoken by the priest.
- Festival costs are real: clay murthis, priests, flowers, decoration, abhisheka materials and daily prasadam.
- Sponsors keep attendance free, so no family stays away because of cost.
Samoohika Vinayaka Pooja seat
$51
Participation in the group Vinayaka Pooja, including one Naivedya Laddu.
Ganesha Chathurthi pooja sponsorship
$101
Sponsor the Ganesh Chathurthi pooja, with sankalpam in your family's name.
Patron Sponsor
$251
Includes Patron Membership for the year.
Bronze Sponsor
$501
Recognition on the temple donor plaque.
Silver Sponsor
$1,001
Sankalpam in your family's name across the festival.
Gold Sponsor
$2,501
Lead sponsorship of the Ganesha Festival — poojas, decoration and prasadam.
Any other amount
Give whatever is comfortable, one-time or monthly, and designate it to the Ganesha Festival.
Choose your amount