The immersion (Visarjan) of Bappa is as important as the installation (Sthapana) of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. The roots of this tradition are linked to the Mahabharata era. It is believed that Maharishi Ved Vyas dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesha for 10 days and immersed him in water on Anant Chaturdashi. Because of this, Bappa is still bid farewell after 10 days.
Chaturthi 2025: Ganesh Visarjan is not just a religious ritual but is linked to a deep mythological story. In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 27, marking the beginning of the 10-day Ganesh festival. This time, Ganesh Visarjan will be on September 6, on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. It is believed that during the writing of the Mahabharata, Ganesha wrote continuously for 10 days, and then he was bathed in water on Anant Chaturdashi. This is the reason why Visarjan is still performed on this day.
10 Days of Worship and Service
With the installation of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi, an atmosphere of devotion and joy is created. During these 10 days, devotees offer Modak, Ladoo, and other Prasad to Bappa. Special prayers, chanting of mantras, and Aarti are performed in the morning and evening. Cultural programs, Bhajan evenings, and social service events are also organized during this period. Ganesha is considered the remover of obstacles and the bestower of auspiciousness, so devotees pray to him to remove obstacles from their lives and for success in new endeavors.
Immersion on Anant Chaturdashi
The Ganesh festival concludes on Anant Chaturdashi, which will be celebrated on September 6 in 2025. On this day, Ganesh idols are immersed in water. Devotees carry Bappa in decorated chariots or palanquins in grand processions. Amidst the beating of drums, dancing, and resounding slogans, Bappa is bid farewell. It is religiously believed that with the immersion, Ganesha removes the sorrows and troubles of his devotees and returns to his abode, blessing the family with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune.
Belief Linked to the Mahabharata Era
A special story related to Ganesh Chaturthi is also associated with the Mahabharata period. It is said that Maharishi Ved Vyas decided to make Lord Ganesha the writer for composing the Mahabharata. Ganesha laid down the condition that he would write without stopping, but Ved Vyas would also have to speak without stopping. In this way, the narration and writing of the Mahabharata began from the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ten Days of Difficult Writing and the Tradition of Immersion
According to the story, while writing the Mahabharata continuously for 10 days without stopping, Ganesha's body became extremely hot. As soon as the Mahabharata was completed, Maharishi Ved Vyas bathed Bappa in a pond to reduce the temperature of his body. This day was Anant Chaturdashi. Since then, it became a tradition that after the installation on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol should be immersed in water on the 10th day. This belief remains intact even today, and every year devotees bid farewell to Bappa with great enthusiasm.
Religious and Philosophical Significance of Immersion
From a religious point of view, immersion means that the idol made of clay should merge back into the same soil from which it was made. It is a symbol of the cycle of nature and the truth of life. Immersion conveys the message that every beginning has an end and every end opens the door to a new beginning. Bappa's departure may be an emotional moment for the devotees, but there is also the belief that he will come again with the same enthusiasm next year.
Steps Towards Environmental Protection
In recent years, special attention has been given to environmental protection during Ganesh Visarjan. People are now giving preference to clay idols, which dissolve easily in water and do not cause pollution. In many places, arrangements are also made for immersion in artificial ponds so that the water quality of rivers and seas is not affected.
