The ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival concluded on September 17 with massive processions headed for the final immersion (visarjan) of the Ganpati idols into water. In Mumbai, Maharashtra, more than 7,500 idols were immersed in a day. Out of these, 7,227 were household Ganpatis, 300 belonged to `sarvajanik mandals' (community groups) and about 50 were of Goddess Gauri, media reports said.
It is believed that the god who comes to the earthly realm on Ganesh Chaturthi, returns to his celestial abode after immersion. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi also denotes the significance of the cycle of birth, life, and death. It is believed that when the idol of the Ganesha is taken out for immersion, it also takes away with it the various obstacles of the house, which are destroyed along with the idol's immersion. A few glimpses from the Visarjan ceremony observed across India...
Thousands gathered to bid farewell to the famous ‘Lalbaugcha Raja' - Mumbai’s renowned Ganesha idol. Devotees lined the streets of Lalbaug, celebrating the event as processions made their way to the immersion sites across Maharashtra. (Photo courtesy: x@mumbaiheritage)
For the first time, Ganesh Visarjan was witnessed and celebrated with aplomb in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. (Photo courtesy: X@basiitzargar)
US Deputy Chief of Mission Jorgan K Andrews experienced the vibrant culture of Mumbai as he visited the Municipal Commissioner's Pavilion at Girgaon Chowpatty to witness the grand Ganesh visarjan. He appreciated the "colorful traditions and the spirit of community that make this festival so special". (Photo courtesy: X@USAndMumbai)
Lord Ganesha idol is taken for immersion at Rambhuvanwada river canal in Goa. (Photo courtesy: X@RohanKhaunte)
Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesha before the start of visarjan ceremony in Puducherry. (Photo courtesy: X@LGov_Puducherry)
