# Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi Falls On July 18: Puja Muhurat And The Hours You Must Avoid Looking At The Moon > The Aniruddha form of Lord Ganesh is worshipped on Ashadh Shukla Chaturthi, which falls on July 18, 2026 this year. Here is the auspicious puja timing, when the Chaturthi tithi begins and ends, and the hours during which moon sighting is prohibited. **Type:** article · **Category:** Festivals · **Published:** 2026-07-15 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/festivals/aniruddha-vinayaka-chaturthi-18-julai-ke-vrata-men-puja-muhurta-aura-chanda-na-dekhane-ke-samaya-ka-rakhen-khasa-dhyana-7926 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Vinayak Chaturthi, Aniruddha Ganesh, Ganesh Puja Vidhi, Chaturthi Vrat 2026, Moon Sighting Prohibition, Ashadh Shukla Chaturthi Devotees of Lord Ganesh have a special date to mark this month, as the Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi fast will be observed on July 18, 2026. Every month, the Chaturthi tithi in both the Krishna Paksha and the Shukla Paksha is considered dedicated to worshipping Lord Ganesh. The Chaturthi that falls in the Krishna Paksha is called Sankashti Shri Ganesh Chaturthi, while the one falling in the Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayak Chaturthi. It is believed that worshipping Ganesh with proper rituals on either of these two dates brings happiness, prosperity and abundance into the household. What makes the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Ashadh month special is that it is dedicated to the Aniruddha form of Lord Ganesh, which is why this particular day is referred to as Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi. ## Auspicious Muhurat For Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi 2026 According to the Panchang, the Ashadh Shukla Chaturthi tithi begins at 6:27 am on July 17 and concludes at 4:42 am on July 18, 2026. Since the midday period is considered the most suitable time for this worship, the fast and puja have been fixed for July 18. The midday puja muhurat will run from 11:20 am to 1:29 pm, and devotees are advised to perform the formal worship of Lord Ganesh within this window to receive the full benefit of the vrat. ## Hours When Moon Sighting Is Prohibited A long-standing tradition tied to Vinayak Chaturthi is that looking at the moon on this day is considered forbidden. As per the Panchang, moon sighting should be avoided from 9:04 am to 9:45 pm on July 18. It is believed that even an accidental glimpse of the moon during this period is inauspicious, which is why devotees are advised to refrain from looking towards the sky throughout this entire window. ## Why Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi Holds Special Significance Hindu scriptures describe the Ashadh Shukla Chaturthi vrat as one of special importance. This fast is primarily dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesh, and the Chaturthi tithi is described in the scriptures as Ganpati's most beloved date. According to belief, worshipping Ganesh at midday on Chaturthi and observing the fast sharpens intellect, memory, knowledge and speech. A distinctive tradition tied to this particular vrat is the practice of donating a tumbi (gourd vessel) to ascetics, which sets it apart from other Ganesh vrats observed through the year. It is believed that observing the fast and worship dedicated to Lord Ganesh on Vinayak Ganesh Chaturthi fills one's life with happiness and shields a person from facing any kind of hardship. It is also said to bring prosperity, good fortune, wealth, knowledge and material comforts to both the household and one's business. ## How To Worship Lord Ganesh On Vinayak Chaturthi As per religious tradition, certain steps are followed while performing the Vinayak Chaturthi puja, which every devotee observing the vrat should keep in mind - After bathing on the day of Vinayak Chaturthi, one should wear clean clothes. Wearing red-coloured clothing on this day is considered auspicious wherever possible. - An idol of Lord Ganesh should then be installed at a temple or the household puja area. - The idol is wiped with a clean cloth, and a piece of red cloth is placed beneath it. - Lord Ganesh is then worshipped following the shodashopchar method, sindoor is offered, and an aarti is performed. - Reciting the Vinayak Chaturthi vrat katha is also considered necessary to receive the full benefit of the puja. - Once the puja is complete, Lord Ganesh is offered his favourite laddoos as bhog, which is later distributed as prasad among everyone present. - One important point to remember is that tulsi leaves should never be used in Ganesh puja. - Observing a fast on this day is also part of the tradition, but if fasting is not possible for any reason, performing the formal puja of Ganpati is a must to receive the benefit of the day. Overall, the Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi vrat is regarded as one of the special occasions for Ganesh devotees through the year, with devotees advised to keep the correct muhurat and the prohibited moon-sighting hours in mind while performing the puja with full rituals. ## What this means for you This vrat matters most for households that regularly observe Ganesh worship rituals. - **For those observing the fast:** Knowing the exact puja muhurat and the prohibited moon-sighting hours for July 18, 2026 will help devotees complete both the fast and the worship correctly. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When will the Aniruddha Vinayak Chaturthi fast be observed? The fast will be observed on July 18, 2026. ### 2. When does the Ashadh Shukla Chaturthi tithi begin and end? The tithi begins at 6:27 am on July 17 and ends at 4:42 am on July 18, 2026. ### 3. What is the auspicious puja muhurat? The midday puja muhurat runs from 11:20 am to 1:29 pm. ### 4. During what hours is moon sighting prohibited? Moon sighting is prohibited from 9:04 am to 9:45 pm on July 18. ### 5. What should never be used in Ganesh puja? Tulsi leaves should never be used in Ganesh puja. ### 6. What kind of donation is prescribed in this vrat? The tradition prescribes donating a tumbi (gourd vessel) to ascetics during this vrat. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._