Ganesh Visarjan marks the grand conclusion of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, where devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha by immersing his idol in a body of water. This vibrant and emotionally charged event holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, symbolizing the cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. Ganesh Visarjan, also known as Anant Chaturdashi, is celebrated on the last day of the ten-day of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The festival begins with Ganesh Chaturthi, when devotees bring home or to the public pandals the idols of Lord Ganesha and perform rituals, offer prayers, and sweets. The Ganesh Visarjan involves immersing the idol in water, signifying the return of Ganesha to his celestial abode.

Visarjan is a Sanskrit word that refers to final ritual and act of respectfully requesting to departure of the deity. At the beginning of any Puja, the presiding deity is first invoked in a Murti (idol) for the purpose of worship. At the end of the Puja, the presiding deity is requested to depart from the Murti.

Ganesh Visarjan involves performing final rituals, such as Aarti and offering special food, followed by a ceremonial procession with the idol to a designated water body or a home water tub for immersion. 

What are the final rituals to be followed for Lord Ganesh Visarjan at home?

Final Rituals at Home:

·       Perform the final Aarti and sing devotional Lord Ganesh Arati. 

·       Offer final bhog of Modak or coconut, and jaggery to the deity. 

·       Sprinkle Gangajal on the idol and express gratitude for the blessings received. 

·       Perform Pradakshina (circumambulation) in front of the idol.

·      All the children, men and women present during the Puja should hold flowers in their hands and chant the praises of Lord Ganesha Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha and bow down to them while offering flowers to them in the order of the young to old.

·      You can also chant this prayer during the Ganesh Visarja

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra
Vaamana ruja maheshwara putra
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe

Chant Farewell Mantras:

·       With folded hands, devotees chant farewell mantras to bid goodbye, such as “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!” (O Lord Ganesha, come again early next year!). 

Carry to the Immersion Site:

·       Lift the idol respectfully and carry it in a procession, often accompanied by music and chants. 

Immersion Visarjanam (विसर्जनम्):

After offering obeisance, the worshiper should take Akshata (Unbroken Rice) and flower in his right hand and chant the following Mantra for Visarjan -

यान्तु देवगणाः सर्वे पूजामादाय मामकीम्।
इष्ट-काम-समृद्घ्यर्थं पुनरागमनाय च॥

Yantu Deva-Ganah Sarve Pujamadaya Mamakim।
Ishta-Kama-Samriddhyartham Punaragamanaya Cha॥

मन्त्र अर्थ - सभी देवगण मेरे द्वारा की गयी पूजा को स्वीकार कर अभीष्ट कामनाओं की समृद्धि के लिये पुनः आगमन हेतु यहाँ से विदा हों।

Mantra Translation - All the deities should accept the worship done by me and leave from here to come again for the fulfillment of desired wishes.

·       If performing an eco-friendly Visarjan at home, gently place the idol into a large bucket or tub filled with water. 

Post-Immersion Rituals:

• Let the clay or paper-mâché idol dissolve in the water. 

• After the idol has dissolved, pour the water into a garden, onto plants, or into a soil pit, converting the ritual into a green practice. 

What are the Eco-Friendly Visarjan Practices?

·       Choose Clay Idols: Opt for idols made from natural clay that dissolve easily, with natural, non-toxic colors, as they dissolve cleanly in water, leaving no harmful residue, avoiding plastic or Plaster of Paris (PoP).

·       Use Artificial Ponds or Big Buckets: Immerse the idol in community-provided artificial ponds or a large container of water at home to prevent pollution of natural water bodies. 

·       Minimal Decorations: Use biodegradable decorations like flowers and leaves instead of plastic flowers and leaves. 

·       Responsible Disposal: After immersion, collect any remnants and dispose of them in soil pits or a garden, and use the dissolved water for plants. 

3. Conclusion (समापन)

After chanting the above Mantra, the person performing the puja should bow down to the deities by leaving Akshata and flowers in front of Them. All the people participating in the Puja should bow down to the Pandit Ji, give Dakshina and take the Prasad.

After chanting farewell mantras like "Ganpati Bappa Morya," the idol is gently placed in the water to dissolve, after which the water is used to water plants or is disposed of responsibly. For an eco-friendly approach, use clay idols and minimal decorations, and immerse them in artificial ponds or a large container at home.

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