Gauri Pujan, also known as Jyeshtha Gauri or Gauri Ganpati, is the three-day worship of Goddess Gauri that takes place during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, 17 September (Gauri Avahan), Friday, 18 September (Gauri Puja) and Saturday, 19 September (Gauri Visarjan). Celebrated with the most devotion in Maharashtra, Gauri is welcomed home as a beloved daughter and as a form of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of abundance and family well-being.
This is different from Gangaur (Gauri Tritiya), the spring festival observed in Rajasthan and parts of North India in March. If you are looking for the Gauri who arrives alongside Lord Ganesha, this guide is for you.
Gauri Pujan 2026 Dates
Jyeshtha Gauri is a three-day observance that sits within the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins on Monday, 14 September 2026. The three days follow the Anuradha, Jyeshtha and Mula nakshatras.
- Gauri Avahan (arrival): Thursday, 17 September 2026
- Gauri Puja (main worship): Friday, 18 September 2026
- Gauri Visarjan (farewell): Saturday, 19 September 2026
In India, the Gauri Avahan muhurat on 17 September runs through the evening (up to around 7:52 PM IST), and Gauri Visarjan on 19 September is performed between roughly 7:00 AM and 3:15 PM IST. The UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind India, so families in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman should adjust these timings or follow their local temple's panchang.
Who is Jyeshtha Gauri?
Gauri is another name for Goddess Parvati, the mother of Lord Ganesha, worshipped here in her radiant, golden form as Mahalakshmi. During these three days she is invited into the home as an honoured guest and as a daughter returning to her parents. Married women, and those praying for a happy married life, welcome her for blessings of prosperity, harmony and children.
In many Maharashtrian homes two Gauris are installed together, representing Jyeshtha (the elder) and Kanishtha (the younger). They are dressed in fine sarees and ornaments and placed beside the Ganesh idol, so that mother and son are worshipped together.
The Three Days Explained
Day 1 - Gauri Avahan: The goddess is welcomed into the house. Her footprints are drawn from the doorway to the puja space with rangoli or kumkum, symbolising Lakshmi walking in, and the idols or masks are installed and decorated.
Day 2 - Gauri Puja: The main worship day. Gauri is offered a full puja and a naivedya of festive dishes, and families invite relatives and neighbours to take darshan. This is the day most people mean when they search for Gauri Pujan.
Day 3 - Gauri Visarjan: After a final aarti, the goddess is given a loving farewell and the idols are immersed, with a prayer that she returns again next year.
Gauri Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)
1. Preparation: Clean the puja area and decorate it with flowers, rangoli and torans. Place the Gauri idols or masks on a clean, raised platform beside Lord Ganesha.
2. Invocation: Begin by remembering Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and then invoke Goddess Gauri with a lit diya and incense.
3. Offerings: Offer coconut, betel leaves, flowers, fruits and sweets. Haldi and kumkum along with a saree or ornaments are traditionally offered to the goddess.
4. Mantra: Chant a simple prayer such as "Om Gauryai Namah" with a calm and focused mind.
5. Aarti and naivedya: Conclude with aarti and offer the festive naivedya, then share the prasad with family and guests.
Samagri for Gauri Pujan
A simple, complete set of samagri makes the puja unhurried and joyful. The essentials are fresh betel leaves and betel nut, coconut, haldi and kumkum, flowers and a garland, incense and a diya, and sweets for the naivedya.
If you are setting up at home, our pooja boxes and samagri bring the basics together in one kit, and you can add a Gauri or Mahalakshmi idol from our idols collection. Fresh betel leaves (paan ka patta) are used throughout the puja for the offerings.
Do's and Don'ts
Do approach the puja with sincerity and a clean, calm space, follow your family's traditions, use fresh and pure ingredients, and pray earnestly for the well-being of your loved ones.
Avoid negativity or arguments during the puja, non-vegetarian food on these days, and unnecessary distractions. Try not to skip the main steps, as each ritual carries its own meaning.
Gauri Pujan in the UAE
The Maharashtrian and wider Indian community across the UAE celebrates Gauri Pujan warmly, from family setups at home in Dubai and Sharjah to community pujas in Abu Dhabi and Ajman. Because the festival follows the panchang, the dates stay the same as in India, but remember to adjust clock timings by 1 hour 30 minutes for UAE time.
Sourcing samagri here is simple. Divine Sansar delivers pooja essentials, idols and fresh puja items across the Emirates, so you can welcome Gauri at home without last-minute running around. Placing your order a few days before 17 September gives you time to set up calmly.
Gangaur vs Jyeshtha Gauri
These two are often mixed up because both honour Goddess Gauri. Gangaur, also called Gauri Tritiya, is celebrated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and parts of North India in the month of Chaitra (March-April). Jyeshtha Gauri, covered in this guide, is the Maharashtrian festival that falls during Ganesh Chaturthi in Bhadrapada (August-September).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Gauri Pujan in 2026?
Gauri Avahan is on Thursday, 17 September 2026, Gauri Puja on Friday, 18 September 2026, and Gauri Visarjan on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
Is Gauri Pujan the same as Gangaur?
No. Gauri Pujan (Jyeshtha Gauri) is the Maharashtrian festival during Ganesh Chaturthi in September, while Gangaur is a separate spring festival celebrated mainly in Rajasthan in March.
How many days is Gauri Pujan?
It is a three-day observance - Avahan (arrival), Puja (main worship) and Visarjan (farewell) - held over consecutive days.
Why is Gauri worshipped with Ganesha?
Gauri is Goddess Parvati, the mother of Lord Ganesha. She is welcomed during Ganesh Chaturthi so that mother and son are honoured together, and she is revered as a form of Mahalakshmi.
What do you offer to Goddess Gauri?
Traditional offerings include coconut, betel leaves, flowers, fruits, haldi and kumkum, a saree or ornaments, and festive sweets as naivedya.
Can Gauri Pujan be done at home in the UAE?
Yes. Families across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman celebrate at home. Keep the same dates as India, adjust timings by 1 hour 30 minutes, and arrange your samagri and idol a few days in advance.
Who traditionally performs Gauri Puja?
It is traditionally observed by married women for family prosperity and harmony, though the whole family takes part in welcoming and worshipping the goddess.
Conclusion
Gauri Pujan is a warm, homely festival - a mother welcomed as a daughter, bringing abundance and togetherness for the year ahead. Mark 17 to 19 September 2026, prepare your samagri with care, and invite Goddess Gauri into your home with devotion. May her blessings bring peace and prosperity to your family.
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