Ganesh Chaturthi planning checklist

Planning Ganesh Chaturthi involves more than arranging the puja. You need a confirmed date and program, a suitable prayer room, an accurate guest count, and enough time for cooking and serving. This checklist covers the practical sequence, from ordering the Ganesh murti and coordinating volunteers to preparing modak filling, setting up shoe racks, and checking kitchen equipment. Start early with anything that depends on deliveries, registrations, dietary requirements, or fresh produce.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set the date and program
2 people
Set the venue and prayer room
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
2 people
Confirm number of guests
2 people
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
Check required materials
2 people
Order Ganesh murti
Order flowers and decorations
Reserve tables and chairs
Create the cooking and serving layout
2 people
Coordinate puja program
2 people
Select music and prayers
Assign volunteers
2 people
Share parking information
Create a route map and welcome sign
Check stock and shelf life
2 people
Do the shopping
3 people
Collect fresh produce
2 people
Sort dry ingredients
2 people
Wash and cut vegetables
4 people
Prepare modak filling
3 people
Make chutneys and sauces
3 people
Unpack decorations
2 people
Clean the venue
3 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up prayer altar
3 people
Place the Ganesh murti
2 people
Hang flowers and garlands
3 people
Connect lighting
2 people
Set out Pujabenodigdheden
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare tea and coffee
2 people
Prepare hot dishes
5 people
Fill and steam modaks
4 people
Set up buffet
4 people
Set up the reception table
2 people
Test sound system
2 people
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

Welcome guests
4 people
Manage the shoe and coat area
2 people
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
Officially open the puja
3 people
Guide the puja
4 people
Distribute flowers and offerings
3 people
Serve prasad
4 people
Supervise children's activities
3 people
Guide music program
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Restock the buffet
4 people
Serve dinner
5 people
Serve dietary meals separately
2 people
Clear tables during the event
4 people
Perform Aarti
4 people
Thank-you speech and closing
2 people
See guests out
3 people

Aftercare

Chill leftover food
3 people
Collect waste separately
3 people
Wash dishes and glassware
4 people
Clean kitchen equipment
3 people
Take down buffet and tables
4 people
Safely remove decorations
3 people
Sweep and mop the venue
4 people
Collect lost and found items
2 people
Return the chilled stock
2 people
Return furniture
3 people
Clear away sound and lighting
2 people
Distribute or donate leftovers
2 people
Take waste to the collection point
2 people
Store puja materials
2 people
Carry out the final site inspection
2 people
Check deposits and borrowed items
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Tableclothqty 12
Shoe racksqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 100
Reusable cupsqty 120
Tea glassesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 15
Serving plattersqty 20
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 6
Frying pansqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Colandersqty 4
Rice cookersqty 2
Food warmersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 10
Aluminum foilqty 4

Equipment

Hot platesqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6

Decorations

Ganesh murti
Backdrop cloth
Artificial flower garlandsqty 12
Rangoli powderqty 6
Offering traysqty 20
Copper kalash
Pujamat
Pujathaliqty 2
Copper diyasqty 8
Copper bell
Red clothqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm the date, prayer schedule, venue, and prayer room before sending invitations. Guests need the program and practical details, while you need a reliable basis for registrations and catering quantities.
Order the Ganesh murti, flowers, and decorations early enough to allow for delivery or collection problems. Check the required materials before the final week rather than discovering a missing item on puja day.
Use the confirmed guest number to calculate food, tableware, seating, and drink quantities. Include separate serving arrangements for dietary requirements and make sure reusable plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and serving spoons are available.
Finish the room layout before cooking begins: place buffet tables, tables, chairs, shoe racks, hot plates, food warmers, and the serving route. This prevents cooked food and volunteers from competing for the same space.
Prepare dry ingredients, vegetables, chutneys, sauces, and modak filling in stages, but leave fresh produce until close to the event. Check stock, shelf life, coolers, kettles, rice cookers, and large cooking pots before shopping.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start planning Ganesh Chaturthi?: Start at least 4 to 6 weeks before the celebration. Set the date and program first, then arrange the venue, invitations, registrations, murti, decorations, catering quantities, and volunteer roles.
When should I order the Ganesh murti and decorations?: Order the murti and decorations as soon as the date and venue are confirmed, preferably 3 to 4 weeks ahead. This leaves time to resolve delivery issues and check that the prayer room has everything required.
How do I calculate food for Ganesh Chaturthi?: Use the confirmed guest count and dietary information to calculate portions before shopping. Complete the calculation at least 7 days before the event, then buy dry ingredients earlier and fresh produce close to cooking day.
What should be prepared the day before Ganesh Chaturthi?: The day before, wash and cut vegetables, prepare the modak filling, make chutneys and sauces, sort dry ingredients, and check equipment. Complete the room layout, decorations, welcome sign, volunteer assignments, and serving plan before the puja day starts.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.