Ganesh Visarjan falls on the 11th day from Ganesh Chaturthi and it is celebrated with the immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol in water. On Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesh visarjan is performed with great enthusiasm and joy. On this day, idol of Lord Ganesh which is made up of clay is immersed in the water bodies. By doing this, it is considered that Lord Ganesh would take all the troubles of the devotees with him and people will live a happy and prosperous life.
It is believed that on the occasion of Ganesh Visarjan, only the murti is returned to the nature and Lord Ganesh departs from the idol and stays with the devotees. The presence of Lord is experienced by his devotees and their lives are enriched with this experience. Ganesh Visarjan spreads the message about the cycle of life and teaches us that birth and death are the inevitable fact of life that happens with everyone on this earth. The soul of a person departs from his body and it is returned back to the nature. From there, it is again reconstituted in another body and in this way, the cycle of life and death continues. It gives a message that material wealth is of no use for the soul and that it will return back to the nature from where it has originated. It also teaches the fact that the body of a person that he use to coddle for all his life will be reduced to the natural elements (ashes) at last.
What is the basic concept behind Ganesh Visarjan?
There is a wide message behind the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesh in the running water. To understand this, one needs to go through the below mentioned concept. Gods are in the two forms, first is the Saakaar (i.e. with form) and second one is the Niraakaar (i.e. formless). The Saakaar medium requires a physical medium such as idol to perform pooja or archana. But in the Niraakaar form of Lord, there is no physical medium and just through meditation, one can perform the worship. Hence, after living for ten days at home, the idol of Ganesh in the Saakaar form takes all the troubles and problems of the house with him. When the Ganesh is in the Niraakaar form that is after immersion in water, all the troubles are also immersed with him and people will lead a happy and prosperous life from then without facing any problem and difficulty. On account of this fact that lies behind Ganesh Visarjan , Lord Ganesh is also known as “Vighna hareta” as he used to carry away all the problems and difficulties along with him and bless the devotees to lead a happy and peaceful life.
Another beautiful message that the immersion of Ganpati idol teach us is that material and wealth is temporary and it has no benefit to the soul. Everyone has to leave this world one day. The birth and rebirth is a cycle of nature. Material pleasures are left behind at last and the soul of a person returns back to the nature from where it has originated.
What are the items required for the Ganesh Visarjan Pooja?
The items that are required to perform the ritual of Ganesh visarjan are curd, puffed rice, coconut, modaks, red flowers, durva grass, sweets, dhoop batti, garland and a container(to bring the sand back).
How to perform the Ganesh Visarjan pooja?
The rituals for the pooja vary from region to region. People do meditation early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta and wear red color silk dhoti with Shawl. For the pooja, mixture of sandalwood paste and kumkum is applied to the statue of Lord Ganesh. After that, people offer coconut, durva grass, modaks, flowers, dhoop batti, sweets and jaggery to the idol of Lord Ganesh one by one and chants the mantra.
After the pooja, Lord Ganesha’s idol is holded in the hands and taken to the nearby flowing water body for the immersion with singing and dancing. People believe that Lord Ganesh took all the troubles from their home and it is also believed that he will again arrive next year. During the Ganesh Visarjan, curd, puffed rice, coconuts, flowers, and modaks are again offered to the Lord Ganesh. During the immersion of the Ganpati idol in the water body, the devotees chant the Ganesh aarti again. While returning back to home, they bring some mud along with them from the place of immersion of the idol. This mud is spread in the entire house and it is believed that all kinds of negative energies are removed from the house and no black magic can ever harm the members of the house.
What mantras are to be chanted?
Mantra to be chanted on Ganesh Visarjan Pooja is as follows:
Lord Ganesha Mantra
“Vakratund Mahaakaya Surya Koti Sumaprabha, Nirbhignum Kurumedayaa Sarv Karyeshu Sarvadaa.”
Lord Ganesh Aarti
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva,
Mataa Jaaki Parvatii, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek Dant Dayaavant, Chaar Bhujaadhari,
Maathe Sindoor sohe, Muse Ki Savaari.
Paaan Chadhe, Phool Chadhe or Chadhe Mewaa,
Ladduan Kaa Bhog Lage, Sant Kare Sevaa.
Andhan Ko Aaankh Det, Kodhin Ko Kaya,
Baanjhan Ko Putra Det, Nirdhan Ko Maya.
Surashyum Sharan Aae Saphal Kijae Seva,
Mataa Jaaki Paarvati, Pita Mahaadeva.
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Devaa
What to donate on the festival?
On the day of Ganesha Visarjan people used to distribute modaks and clothes to the needy and poor people.
In this way, the festival of Ganesh Visarjan is celebrated and it is believed that all kind of difficulties, problems, negative energies are removed away from the life of the devotees and they are able to lead a happy and prosperous with the blessings of Lord Ganesh.
