​Massive crowd emerges for Grand Ganesh Visarjan celebrations across India

This year's Ganesh Visarjan coincides with Anant Chaturdashi, occurring on the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Ganesh Visarjan is an important event in Hindu traditions.

After ten days of prayers, devotees immerse Ganesha idols in water bodies like rivers, lakes, or the sea. Some perform this ritual at home using makeshift ponds. During the immersion, people chant, "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya."

Devotees participate in a ceremony to show their devotion and gratitude, believing Lord Ganesha will return next year to bless them once more. The immersion of the idol is carried out during the Shubh Muhurat, which is considered an auspicious time. Performing the immersion at this time is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and success.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols during Anant Chaturdashi proceeded smoothly. Up until 6 pm, a total of 7,574 Ganpati idols had been immersed at various locations around the city during Ganesh Visarjan 2024.

According to experts, the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi may date back to the eras of the Satavahana, Rashtrakuta, and Chalukya dynasties. Historical records indicate that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the renowned Maratha leader, initiated the public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra to foster unity and nationalism.

On the concluding day, devotees carry the idols in processions to perform the immersion, also known as 'visarjan.' This practice marks the end of the celebrations, as the idols are ceremoniously submerged in water.

It spans ten days during which devotees honor idols of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the Remover of Obstacles and the God of New Beginnings. Ganesh Chaturthi is widely celebrated across India with great enthusiasm.

The term 'visarjan' translates to 'immersion,' signifying the farewell given to Lord Ganesha until the next year's festival.