Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha with grand festivities and vibrant processions. According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated every year on the Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month as Ganesh Chaturthi.

There is a mythological belief that by bringing the idol of Lord Ganesha home on Ganesh Chaturthi worshiping him with rituals for 10 days and immersing the idol of Ganesh ji on the day of Anant Chaturthi, all the sorrows of the devotees are removed.

According to some mythological stories, on the advice of Maharishi Ved Vyas, Ganeshji started writing the Mahabharata on the Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month. Then Maharishi Ved Vyas kept narrating the story of Mahabharata to Ganesh ji and Ganesh ji kept writing the Mahabharata with his pen. It is believed that it took 10 days to write the Mahabharata. Ganesh ji was sitting in the same posture for 10 days, due to which his body became numb and a layer of dust and dirt was covered on his body. Due to this, Ganesh ji went to the river to take a bath after 10 days, that day is known as Anant Chaturdashi.

Lord Ganesh is called Vighnaharta. Also, in any auspicious work, Ganesh ji is worshipped as the first deity or the first invitation deity, so the day of Ganesh Chaturthi is considered special in the praise of Ganesh ji. There is a mythological belief that people whose work remains incomplete or do not progress in work must bring the idol of Lord Ganesh at home on Ganesh Chaturthi. Worshiping Ganesh ji for 10 days gives special blessings to Ganesh ji.

By the way, special events are organized not only in Maharashtra but in the entire South India for Ganpati Puja. However, the Ganpati festival is not as popular in North India. Ganesh Visarjan is not done in North India.

Actually, it is said that Lord Ganesha came from North to South India to meet his brother Kartikeya. On the tenth day itself, Ganpati went back after meeting his brother. This is the reason why in South India, during Ganesh Visarjan, people chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” and he is requested to come early next year.

In North India, the festival of Deepawali is celebrated with great pomp. On this day, it is customary to worship Lord Ganesha along with Goddess Lakshmi. This is the reason why Ganpati is not immersed in Ganesh Utsav here. Devotees believe that Lord Ganesha always resides in North India.

According to the scriptures, not only Ganesh Visarjan but also the right to immerse Maa Durga and any other idol is given only to men. It is believed that idol immersion is considered a form of last rites and according to Hindu religion, only men are given the right to perform last rites. Therefore, at the time of idol immersion, women stay away from this work and they are not even asked to immerse the idol.

I do not intend to hurt any particular person or any religion, but my personal belief in this matter is that no matter who someone’s idol is, I do not consider it appropriate and logical to immerse it in water in North India.

Just think, if the next day of your festival, your revered idol is found floating in mud or dirt, then not only me but anyone will not like it.

Yes, but in South India, celebrating this festival with joy and immersing it is logical and appropriate as per mythological customs. But here also, there should be complete arrangements for proper cleanliness at the time of immersion and the next day.

Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah
Ganpati Bappa Morya

Article written by and Editorial credit: State Bureau Chief Himanshu Nauriyal.