Mumbai: Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, 27 August. The 10-day-long festival, which begins every year on the Chaturthi tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month, culminates with Ganesh Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi. This final day holds deep spiritual and cultural importance, as devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with grand processions and prayers.
Ganesh Visarjan, or the immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol, signifies the return of the deity to his heavenly abode, with a promise to return the following year. The idol is immersed in a river, lake, or sea with rituals that include aarti, flower offerings, prasad, and the breaking of coconuts. Devotees chant, dance, and play drums as they escort the idol to the water, praying for Ganesha’s return and blessings.
When is Ganesh Visarjan Performed?
While most regions perform Ganesh Visarjan on the 10th day, many also opt for immersion on 1.5 days, 3rd, 5th, or 7th days of the festival. The duration depends on local customs and family traditions.
The Mythological Birth of Lord Ganesha
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha was born from the sandalwood paste (ubtan) or body dirt of Goddess Parvati. As the story goes, Goddess Parvati created a boy out of the paste and gave him life, instructing him to guard the entrance while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was stopped by the boy, he became furious and beheaded him in a fit of rage.
Parvati, devastated by her son’s death, demanded he be brought back to life. Lord Shiva then replaced the boy’s head with that of a baby elephant, reviving him as Ganesha. To honour him, the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh declared him the foremost deity to be worshipped—Agarpujya—in all rituals.
Why Is Ganesh Idol Immersed in Water?
Lord Ganesha’s symbolic birth from earthly elements like clay and ubtan is mirrored in the tradition of creating his idol from eco-friendly clay. Immersing the idol in water represents the cycle of creation and dissolution, reminding us of life’s impermanence and nature’s balance. It is also believed that Ganesh Visarjan helps wash away negativity and invites prosperity, wisdom, and happiness into the home.
(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not endorse or validate these claims.)