11th September, 2011 - Ananth Chaturdashi (11th day of the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival):
Ganpati Gele Gavala, Chain Padena Amhala
These few lines in Marathi, very pertinently describe the feel in the atmosphere today.
After 10 days of fanfare and merrymaking, the time has come to see off our very dear friend Lord Ganesha. Lacs of idols all across the city will be immersed in sea, artificial lakes and ponds as HE returns to His heavenly abode. Though the mood is a bit somber but He is given a grand farewell… Amid musical beats of drums and loud chants, thus begins His journey back home…
He is taken in trucks, cars, carts, on top of heads or held in hands for the visarjan towards the water body
He is seated on a platform before the visarjan takes place
He is pampered as devotees surround him for the final prayers,
sing artis (hymns) and let out loud chants before bidding him adieu
sing artis (hymns) and let out loud chants before bidding him adieu
He keeps hold of all the focus, everything else is just that... a blur!
In all these days gone by,
everyone has formed an individual bond with the Lord,
and for many it’s not that easy to let it go loose…
He gets in line with His other Siblings
before He can start His journey back home
before He can start His journey back home
All His religious belongings like garlands
and other spiritual paraphernalia are removed
Devotees look on as their Beloved gets ready to slowly blend with water
The kids look on too grabbing hold onto their balcony seats
And eventually, He departs vanishing out of everyone's sight...
As one looks at these scenes pass by, hearts are warm and eyes moist... the mind can’t help but roll back to the festivities of the days gone by – The Ganpati Pandal Hopping, darshan of the Lalbaugcha Raja or the different Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations cutting across boundaries – …and tries to hold all of them tight... but the more it tries to do so, the faster they keep slipping by, ultimately evaporating into a huge void…
He has finally departed but... not before teaching us a lesson of detachment, not before leaving behind His blessings for all, not before whispering a soft promise in our ears, a promise of coming back soon next year... Then, the city will be full of life once again and dance away to His festive tunes, and things will pick up right from the very point they have become blurry…
Till then, however, let's all say it loud and clear... for one last time... zor se bolo –
Ganpati Bappa Maurya… Pudcha Varshi Lavkar Ya!
43 Comments
Superb.. Very well covered Arti..!
ReplyDeleteWonderful journey . Ganapathibhappa Mourya .
ReplyDeletewonderful pics! good to see that ur comp is back! i esp love the way the arrangements are made for immersion., unfortunately, the crowd makes me stay away!
ReplyDeleteGood post with some nice pictures and fine narration!
ReplyDeletesob sob very tearfull to see the pictures of visarjan ... loved every moment of ur journey...may lord ganesh protect u in all your journeys the year ahead and look forward to all ur lovely posts
ReplyDeleteSuper Yummy Recipes
Arti, these are such great photographs, and the idols are so beautiful! Jai Ganesh!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog (:
I apologize for my tardiness in replying to you; more information on my unintentional disappearance will be posted on my blog, Western Sanatana Dharma, soon.
- Alicia
Great post...Felt as if was a part of visarjan. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww, i feel like i have been there now, so sad to see Lord Ganesha go ... xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for such wonderful coverage of the festival, Arti! Marvelous captures and narrative! I always learn something about your beautiful country from your posts! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Another wonderful post Arti.
ReplyDeleteThere is always sadness in goodbye! Even the children look melancholy at seeing Ganesha's departure. So interesting to read about this festival, Arti.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. You have covered every aspect of it including the rituals. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI really get emotional seeing post like this sitting so far away from home.Thanks Arti!
ReplyDeleteUSMasala
You have gotten so many really good pictures! I seem to remember this ceremony from last year? I love your emotive description of it all, what a special time!
ReplyDeleteI have a question, which camera do you use for taking photographs???
ReplyDeleteGood photos of the Ganesh Visharjan Arti
ReplyDeleteWow, seeing Ganesha's watery departure like that is nothing short of spectacular, many thanks for sharing these wonderful images with us.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully explained, Hindu religion is so hard to understand to me, even after three times I've been to India. Every time I go I do make some progress though ;)
ReplyDeleteA lovely end to this beautiful festival. I especially loved the pictures of the kids taking it all in from their high perches! This is how traditions are started and kept in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteLove the pics, wish the immersion day had never ended. Good post, Arti :-)
ReplyDeletethis has been a fascinating festival and your photos provide a wonderful peek into the energy and love that flowed through it all. I especially like that blurred photo. thanks for sharing this journey with us. happy day to you Arti!
ReplyDeleteHello, Arti
ReplyDeleteAttractive works.
You are the excellent artist.
I thank for your usual and hearty support.
And i pray for you and yours peace.
arigatou gozaimashita !!
ありがとう ございました。
ruma
Loved al the roly-poly Ganeshas. You have captured them so well..thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictorial journey of Ganesha as He goes for Visarjan.
ReplyDeleteMy brother explained the significance of the idols and their visarjan. i thought I would share it here.
We bring home an idol, and do avahan of the Lord in it with mantras and as we do pooja, the Paramatma enters the Atma and returns to its idol state.
Even as it is hard to let go of Ganesha at the end of the festivities, we are not immersing the Lord, but the idol alone, which we had brought home ten days back.
Arti,
ReplyDeleteHow fascinate the festival is! Thanks a lot for letting me know the entire story of the festival. I feel very familiar with this festival which a deity is invited during and then goes back after. Arti, I love this vivid and nostalgic atmosphere of the festival very much. Splendid shots. Have a great week!
Best wishes
Keiko
By taking place the ritual with kids, people's pious or thought for him or society descend from parents to kids, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a lovely custom.
Have a great time.
superb collection of pics .
ReplyDeletewhile going through your blog the flashback of my pune stay was running in my mind.
thanks for presenting the gem...
great pictures.... sorry for visiting ur blog after a long time...
ReplyDeletethe pictures r wonderful... nearly similar to how it is done here, but here it will be over in 2-3 days... crowd and the enthusiasm is fantastic... a good post...
Ahh! The enthusiasm and the energy during Ganpathi Visarjan is unparallelled. :) Beautiful post, Arti! Loved the last para so much.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully warm-hearted send-off to Lord Ganesha. And such joyous pictures too.
ReplyDeletenice post..cheers
ReplyDeleteHave a sweet sunday Arti, thanks for your nice comment on my last post and see you back soon ;)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of similar festivities I attended when I was a child. I'm pleased to know that our cultures have so much in common, though on the surface they appear to be diferent.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful photos and moving reporting bring the ceremony alive. I feel as if I were there. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice Arti, As always its good to see your post. Unfortunately i misses Ganpati visarjan this year.Now after seeing the snaps, feels like i m here watching the visharjan live. thanks much for putting this up... Ganpati bless you.
ReplyDeletewell covered
ReplyDeletebeautiful pics
Wow.... lovely captures!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
We celebrate Ganesh Chaturti in out apartment in Bangalore. Always feel a void after the Ganpati visarjan and look forward to next year. Nicely captured in your article.
ReplyDeleteThere's always something sad and lonely at the end of the festival mingled with an expectation for the next time. Your narrative and photos made me feel as if I were part of it, arti. Thank you for sharing. Have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteThis post is beautifully written, Arti. Very poignant. :)
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ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
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