Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 is upon us, and it’s one of the grandest festivals in the country. Every year, people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with immense enthusiasm and devotion. It’s a time when individuals adorn themselves in new attire, exchange gifts with loved ones, and participate in festive activities. Streets are adorned with decorations, and homes are meticulously cleaned and embellished to welcome Lord Ganesha, the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha is revered as the bringer of wealth, prosperity, and happiness to the homes of devotees. People worship Lord Ganesha and pray for hope and prosperity.
This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on September 19, with Ganesh Visarjan, or immersion of the idol, taking place on September 28 as per the customary ten-day duration. It’s essential to understand a few aspects of the puja and visarjan as we prepare to celebrate this festival.
The Ganesh Puja consists of three main stages: Avahan, Puja, and Yathasthan. Avahan signifies the welcoming of the deity into the home, Puja involves the worship of the idol, and Yathasthan pertains to the send-off. Ganesh Visarjan typically occurs ten days after Ganesh Chaturthi, although the duration may vary based on home rituals. On the day of Visarjan, the final puja is conducted in front of the Lord Ganesha idol, concluding with the waving of a camphor flame before the deity.
Subsequently, a family member gently moves the idol to signify the commencement of the farewell journey for the year. Curd and sweets are offered to the deity before bidding him farewell. Amidst the recitation of Lord Ganesha’s chants, a family member carries the idol around the house before respectfully immersing it in a nearby water body, such as a lake or pond, while chanting mantras.
