Ganesh Chaturthi shopping list

Use this shopping list to prepare a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration with a prayer room, shared meal and modak preparation. It covers the items people often forget until guests arrive: serving equipment, hot-holding supplies, tea service and practical guest arrangements. Confirm your guest count before buying food, then check what is already available and what needs ordering. Fresh produce and flowers should be bought close to the event, while dry ingredients, tableware and equipment can be prepared earlier.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

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
- Basmati rice - 8 kilograms
- Wheat flour - 6 kilogram
- Semolina - 2 kilogram
- Rice flour - 2 kilogram
- Chickpea flour - 2 kilogram
- Poha - 2 kilogram
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Jaggery - 3 kilogram
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Ghee - 2 liter
- Coconut oil - 1 liter
- Shredded coconut - 2 kilogram
- Cashews - 1 kilogram
- Raisins - 750 gram
- Almonds - 750 grams
- Pistachios - 500 grams
- Sesame seeds - 500 gram
- Cumin seeds - 250 gram
- Mustard seeds - 250 grams
- Cardamom - 100 gram
- Cinnamon - 100 gram
- Cloves - 50 grams
- Bay leaves - 50 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Garam masala - 500 grams
- Kashmiri chili powder - 250 gram
- Coriander powder - 250 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Asafoetida - 50 gram
- Tamarind paste - 500 gram
- Coconut milk - 6 liter
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Paneer - 5 kilogram
- Chickpeas - 4 kilograms
- Red lentils - 3 kilograms
- Green lentils - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Onions - 8 kilograms
- Garlic - 500 grams
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 5 kilogram
- Green beans - 4 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Spinach - 3 kilograms
- Peas - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Fresh coriander - 12 bunches
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Green peppers - 500 grams
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Mangoes - 5 kilograms
- Pomegranates - 20 pieces
- Coconuts - 12 pieces
- Banana leaves - 100 pieces
- Fresh flowers - 15 bouquets
- Durva grass - 10 bunches
- Red kumkum - 250 grams
- Yellow haldi powder - 250 gram
- Sandalwood paste - 250 grams
- Agarbatti incense - 6 packs
- Cotton wicks - 2 bags
- Camphor - 250 gram
- Rose water - 2 bottles
- Milk - 8 liters
- Honey - 1 kilogram
- Panchamrit - 2 liter
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 12 bottles
- Mango juice - 10 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk powder - 1 kilogram
- Tea napkins - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 8 packs
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Confirm the guest count 5–7 days before shopping and use it to calculate food, plates, cups and cutlery. Keep at least 10% extra reusable tableware if the schedule includes seconds or staggered serving.
Order the Ganesh murti, flowers and decorations early enough to confirm availability; buy fresh flowers and produce 1 day before the celebration rather than several days ahead.
Plan two serving points if you expect more than 30 guests: one buffet table for food and one separate area for tea, water and cups. This prevents the serving line from blocking the puja room.
Check kitchen capacity before buying ingredients. For a large batch of modak or other dishes, verify that you have enough large pots, frying pans, mixing bowls, measuring cups and cooking space for preparation and holding.
Prepare a separate guest station for shoes and drinks. Set up shoe racks, water jugs, reusable cups and tea glasses before guests arrive, and test kettles, coffee machines, hot plates and speakers at least 2 hours beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for Ganesh Chaturthi at home?: Start with the Ganesh murti, flowers, decorations and the materials needed for the puja. For the meal, plan ingredients for modak and other dishes, plus plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and serving spoons. Buy shelf-stable supplies 3–7 days ahead and fresh produce 1 day before.
How much food do I need for Ganesh Chaturthi?: Base the quantity on the confirmed guest count and include at least 10% extra for seconds and uneven portions. For a buffet, provide enough plates and bowls for one full serving per guest, then keep replacements available if washing during the event is not practical.
When should I buy flowers and vegetables for Ganesh Chaturthi?: Buy flowers and fresh vegetables 1 day before the celebration so they remain usable for the puja and cooking. Wash and cut vegetables on the day of the event, while dry ingredients and decorations can be sorted several days earlier.
What serving equipment is needed for a Ganesh Chaturthi meal?: Allow one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus serving spoons, platters, tongs and water jugs. For hot dishes, arrange food warmers or hot plates and check them at least 2 hours before serving; use coolers for items that must stay cold.

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.