Mumbai: Ganesh Visarjan marks the conclusion of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, a time when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with deep devotion. This year, Anant Chaturdashi falls on 6 September 2025, when idols of Lord Ganesha, worshipped in homes and pandals for 10 days, will be immersed. The ritual of visarjan is not just a farewell, but a spiritual act symbolising the release of difficulties and sorrows, as devotees pray for Ganesha’s return the following year.
While it is an emotional occasion, it is also important to follow the correct rules of immersion. Any mistakes made during the visarjan process are considered inauspicious, and they can also cause environmental harm. Devotees are urged to ensure the ritual is performed with full respect, faith, and ecological awareness, so that the farewell is both spiritually and socially meaningful.
Mistakes to Avoid During Ganesh Visarjan
Do Not Pollute Water Bodies
Idols should not be directly immersed in rivers, lakes, or ponds. To protect the environment, artificial tanks or eco-friendly immersion methods are encouraged. This helps prevent water pollution and protects aquatic life.
Keep the Idol Intact
Ensure the idol remains unbroken before immersion. A damaged or fragmented idol is considered inauspicious for visarjan.
Complete Rituals Properly
Before immersion, perform aarti and puja with full devotion. Offer modaks, laddus, and flowers to Lord Ganesha. Incomplete rituals are not considered appropriate.
Respectful Immersion
Never throw the idol directly into the water. Instead, slowly and respectfully submerge it, symbolising a dignified farewell to Bappa.
Avoid Intoxication
Alcohol or intoxicants must not be consumed on the day of visarjan. The ritual should be conducted in a pure and sattvic state of mind.
Dispose of Offerings Correctly
Do not throw flowers, clothes, coconuts, or sweets into the water. Place them under a sacred tree or in a clean designated spot.
Do Not Look Back
Tradition holds that devotees should not look back after the immersion. Instead, bid farewell with the promise that Lord Ganesha will return next year.
Significance of Ganesh Visarjan
Anant Chaturdashi not only concludes the 10-day Ganesh festival but also carries a symbolic meaning. Immersion is seen as releasing all sorrows, obstacles, and challenges along with the idol. It represents faith that Lord Ganesha will return to bless households with joy, prosperity, and wisdom. When performed with full rituals, devotion, and respect, Ganesh Visarjan becomes a powerful moment of spiritual renewal and cultural unity.