Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: The ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festivities include specific days designated for the immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idols into water, culminating in the final immersion of all idols on the tenth day of the celebration. Let’s explore the underlying beliefs associated with the immersion of Ganpati’s idols. Ganesh Chaturthi spans a ten-day period, during which Lord Ganesha is housed in homes, offices, or public pandals and worshipped with devotion and adherence to rituals.
Traditionally, the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed on the tenth and final day of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. However, individuals may choose to install Bappa for varying durations, ranging from one and a half days to three, five, or the full ten days, based on their level of devotion. It’s interesting to note that the immersion of Bappa follows a specific schedule. According to scriptures, Ganesh’s immersion takes place on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. But have you ever wondered why Bappa is immersed? Let’s delve into the beliefs and mythology surrounding the immersion of Lord Ganesh’s idol.
‘Sthapna’ of Ganpati Bappa
During the Ganesh Utsav festivities, Bappa is ceremoniously placed in households for a period of ten days, and he is revered with elaborate rituals and offerings. Devotees make sure to present his favorite items to please him. After the ten-day period, Lord Ganpati is immersed in water. This tradition holds that by residing in the home for these ten days, Lord Ganesha absorbs all the sorrows of the devotees, bestowing upon them a life filled with happiness and blessings.
Why Ganpati Bappa is immersed?
On the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi, the Ganapati idol is immersed in water as part of a significant tradition. According to a timeless legend, Ved Vyas ji chose Lord Ganesha to assist in the composition of the epic Mahabharata. In this narrative, Ved Vyas ji would narrate the story, and Lord Ganesha would transcribe it. During this process, Ved Vyas ji closed his eyes while recounting the epic, and for ten continuous days, he narrated the tale without interruption. Ganesh ji diligently recorded every word. However, the intense focus and continuous writing caused Lord Ganesha’s body temperature to rise to unbearable levels. To remove his discomfort, Ved Vyas ji immersed Lord Ganesha in a pond, marking the genesis of the practice of immersing Lord Ganesha’s idols.
This ritual of immersing Lord Ganesha symbolises his cyclical existence. Just as he was originally crafted from clay and Earth, his symbolic statue follows the same pattern. The act of immersion in water signifies Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode after his “sojourn” in the homes or temples of devotees during the Ganesh Chaturthi rituals. It effectively marks the conclusion of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
Another interpretation suggests that the idols of Lord Ganesha, having received all the prayers and requests of devotees during the ten-day period, return to their heavenly abode. Immersion is seen as a respectful send-off, signifying Lord Ganesha’s journey back home. This act is a way to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha as he returns to his divine realm.
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