Hindu families celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi to commemorate Lord Ganesh’s birth. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Before beginning any auspicious activity or job, Hindus worship Ganesh. He removes impediments and clears the way for:
- Growth
- Success
- Wealth.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion throughout India. Further, you can perform Ganpati Visarjan at home after the rituals. This is the nation’s most popular festival. People bring Lord Ganesha murtis home to worship the Lord in a specific manner for:
- A day and a half
- Three days
- Five days
- Seven days
- Even eleven days
This depends on family tradition and personal commitment. On the final day of devotion, the idol is submerged at a beach in a colorful and musical parade. You can also find pandit for puja online, or perform another ritual to bring new perspective and significance to your life. Although many people commemorate this occasion, they are unaware of the proper Ganesh Visarjan procedure. You will learn how to perform Ganesh Visarjan in this article.
Ganesh Idol Significance
Nothing beats a Ganpati idol for bringing immense positivity and luck into your home. A Ganesh statue or image in your home brings good fortune and wealth. A Ganesh murti is a perfect symbol that teaches important concepts like:
- It takes a big mind to think big.
- Big ears for cautious listening.
- Small eyes allow for better concentration.
- Having a smaller mouth means speaking less.
- One tusk to preserve only goodness. The broken tusk represents a wise individual who transcends dualism.
- A long trunk to maintain versatility.
- Large stomach capable of digesting both good and evil.
- Lord Ganesha’s four arms represent the four qualities: mind, intelligence, ego, and conscience.
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Importance of Ganesh Visarjan
You may be performing Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at home for the first time this year. Then you should understand how to perform Ganesh Visarjan at home and observe Ganesh Chaturthi rituals. Any Hindu puja (sendoff) consists of three steps:
- Avahan (invitation or invocation)
- Puja (worship)
- Yathasthan.
During the prayers, the main god of Puja is elevated on a pedestal.
- Then a Kalash (holy pot) containing water
- Betel leaves
- Coconut is placed on the platform.
- The family performs the Puja according to tradition.
Yathasthan is the polite goodbye to the god after praying and thanking the Lord for his blessings. Ganesh Visarjan is a farewell ceremony in which worshippers carry Lord Ganesh out in grand style to mark the end of the festivities.
How to Do Ganesh Visarjan At Home
Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to be a time when Ganesha visits his followers’ homes. He brings:
- Good Fortune
- Optimism
- Success
- Pleasure to all households.
During his brief visit, he removes all obstacles. He returns carrying all of his difficulties and sadness.
People purchase a new Ganesh murti for the Ganesh Chaturthi puja. This is made of perishable materials such as:
- Clay
- Lime Paste
- Paper Pulp, etc.
These statues are arranged on the altar to welcome Ganesh into the family. Following the Ganesh Chaturthi puja, the idol is kept in the puja room for three to ten days. This is before the farewell by family. This is called Visarjan. During Visarjan, people bid farewell to the idol used for the Puja and immerse it in a river or lake. People celebrate Ganesh Visarjan for one and a half days, or on the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, or eleventh day, depending on family custom.
During Ganesh Visarjan, the family gathers in front of the idol.
The family members perform the final Puja using:
- Flowers
- Diyas
- Incense Sticks
- Sweets such as Modaks and Ladoos
- Other special foods.
Conclude the Puja by waving a camphor flame in front of the statue. The whole family prays together. The household chief then sprinkles turmeric rice, or Akshad, on the idol before performing a namaskar.
The eldest male family member holds and delicately moves the idol to signal the start of the farewell trip. As they bid Lord Ganesha farewell, they must serve him curd and sweets. The family wraps rice and cereal in a crimson cloth to accompany him on his return journey home. The family then recites Ganesh shlokas. The chosen male member carries the idol and walks it around the house one final time.
More members gather for the Visarjan and proceed to bid the Lord farewell. When the Ganesh idol reaches the Visarjan location, devotees reverently immerse it in a body of water such as a river, lake, pond, or sea. At the same time, people chant Ganesh’s name and slogans. There are no special mantras for Ganesh Visarjan. The only chant used is as follows:
Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe
Meaning:
O, Vinayaka! The remover of all obstacles, Lord Shiva’s son, with a very short form, the mouse as Thy vehicle, sweet pudding in hand, wide ears, and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like feet!
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Also Read: Lord Ganesh: The Magnificent Deity with an Elephant Head