Dhundhiraja Chaturthi

Dhundhiraja Chaturthi is a named Ganesha Chaturthi observance found in Gujarati and other regional Panchang traditions. Dhundhiraja is an old epithet of Ganesha, especially famous in Kashi, where the Dhundhiraj form is revered as a guardian who removes obstacles before other sacred journeys and rites. The name is linked in traditional explanations with the idea of the deity who was 'sought out' and recognized for overcoming troublesome forces. On this Chaturthi devotees worship Ganesha with durva, red flowers, modak or other sweets and recite his names and prayers. The day is much smaller in scale than the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival, yet it preserves an important feature of Hindu calendar culture: different lunar Chaturthis remember distinct forms and names of Ganesha, each emphasizing his role as the first deity invoked before a new undertaking.

Dhundhiraja Chaturthi is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.