In Karnataka, Ganesh Chaturthi is half of a two-day festival. On the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapada, Gowri comes to her mother's house, and married women worship her and receive the bagina, a winnowing tray of gifts, from their own parents. On the fourth, Ganesha follows. Clay images of both are brought home, worshipped with kadubu and garike grass, and immersed together.
The story
Gowri is Parvati, visiting her parents' home once a year like any married daughter; Ganesha comes to fetch her. So the festival is above all one for daughters, who go home for it or are sent the bagina if they cannot.
Looking at the Moon on Chaturthi night brings false blame, as it did to Krishna; the cure is to hear the story of the Syamantaka jewel.
How it is kept
- Gowri PujaAn image of turmeric or clay is worshipped under a canopy of banana and mango leaves.
- BaginaA tray of turmeric, kumkum, bangles, combs, grains, coconut and fruit, given to married women.
- Ganesha PujaWith twenty-one kinds of leaves and kadubu, modaka and chakkuli.
- VisarjaneMother and son are immersed on the same day.
- Sarvajanika GaneshaPublic pandals with music and plays, largest in Hubballi and Belagavi.
Why this date
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Chaturthi of the bright half of Bhadrapada, on the day it is present at midday; Gowri Habba is the day before.
Gowri Ganesha Habba in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Tuesday | |
| 2030 | Sunday | |
| 2031 | Saturday |
More Kannada festivals
24 AugustSri Krishna Janmashtamiಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಜನ್ಮಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
7 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
13 AugustVaramahalakshmi Vrataವರಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ವ್ರತ
17 AugustNoola Hunnimeನೂಲ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
8 OctoberMahanavami and Ayudha Pujaಮಹಾನವಮಿ · ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ
9 OctoberVijayadashamiವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ
Where to see Gowri Ganesha Habba
In Karnataka
- Dodda Ganapathi, Basavanagudi, BengaluruKarnatakaAn eighteen-foot Ganesha carved from a single rock, covered in butter.
- IdagunjiKarnatakaA coastal temple of a standing Ganesha, fifteen centuries old.
- Sasivekalu and Kadalekalu Ganesha, HampiKarnatakaTwo monolithic Ganeshas of Vijayanagara.
- HubballiKarnatakaEleven days of public pandals, with processions on the last.
Across India
- MumbaiMaharashtraLalbaugcha Raja and the processions to the sea.
- KanipakamAndhra PradeshA self-manifested Vinayaka in a well.
- HyderabadTelanganaThe giant Ganesh of Khairatabad.