From aarti to immersion, 10 Ganpati visarjan rules
Auspicious timing
Visarjan is traditionally performed on an auspicious muhurat, often during the morning or afternoon, ensuring the departure of Lord Ganesh is aligned with positive planetary influences and blessings.
Final aarti
Before immersion, families and communities perform a grand final aarti with diyas, incense, and devotional songs, thanking Lord Ganesh for blessings received and seeking his swift return next year.
Offer modaks
Modaks, Lord Ganesh’s favourite sweet, are offered before visarjan. Traditionally, 21 modaks symbolise abundance, gratitude, and a prayer for happiness, health, and success for the household or community.
Visarjan mantras
Chanting mantras like “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” is essential. These invoke divine blessings while joyfully bidding farewell, expressing devotion and hope for Ganesh’s return next year.
Respectful immersion
The idol must be immersed gently into the water, symbolising Lord Ganesh’s return to Mount Kailash. Careless handling or breaking the idol before immersion is considered disrespectful.
Procession with music
Traditional visarjan involves vibrant processions with dhol, tasha, and dance. Music and devotion symbolise the celebration of Lord Ganesh’s presence, while escorting him respectfully towards his journey of immersion.
Coconut offering
Breaking a coconut during visarjan is customary. It symbolises breaking the ego, offering purity, and surrendering one’s mind and soul to the divine blessings of Lord Ganesh.
Family participation
Traditionally, the entire family or community accompanies the idol to visarjan. This collective act strengthens bonds, symbolises unity, and ensures everyone receives Lord Ganesh’s departing blessings equally.
Flowers and garlands
Garlands, durva grass, and flowers used in worship are offered during visarjan. They represent love, devotion, and the culmination of prayers offered throughout Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Return assurance
Devotees bid farewell by asking Lord Ganesh to return early the next year (“Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya”). This tradition reflects hope, faith, and continuity of divine presence in life.
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