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Ganesh Visarjan 2025: A Deep Dive into Tradition

Ganesh Visarjan 2025: The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is a profound representation of India's faith and culture. From Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi, devotees establish the idol of Lord Ganesha for ten days, engaging in worship with utmost devotion. The most emotional moment of this celebration is the Ganesh Visarjan, where the idol is ceremoniously immersed in water. This act is not merely a tradition but embodies the philosophical teachings found in scriptures. It reveals the secrets of the union of the five elements, the transient nature of life, and the connection between the soul and the divine.

One might wonder why the idol of Ganesha is submerged in water. This practice is rooted in deep religious, mythological, and spiritual significance, as outlined in various scriptures and Puranas, which illustrate the concepts of life, death, and liberation.

Religious and Mythological Reasons Supported by Scriptures Union with the Five Elements (Skanda Purana)

According to the Skanda Purana, it is stated, “The great elements of the universe are earth, water, fire, air, and space…”

This signifies that the entire universe is composed of these five elements, into which everything ultimately dissolves. The idol of Ganesha, made from clay, merges into the water during the Visarjan, reminding us that human life is also composed of these elements and returns to them after death.

Understanding Impermanence (Ganesh Purana)

The Ganesh Purana mentions, “All things are transient; only the memory of Ganesha remains eternal.”

The immersion of the idol symbolizes this transient nature, teaching us that devotion and righteousness should be the foundation of life, rather than attachment.

The Message of Arrival and Departure (Mythological Belief)

It is believed that Ganesha visits the earth each year, alleviating the troubles of his devotees, and returns to Mount Kailash during the Visarjan. This conveys the message that the divine essence is eternal and can be invited back through sincere devotion.

The Union of Soul and Brahman (Insights from the Upanishads) Union of Soul and Brahman (Insights from the Upanishads)

The Chandogya Upanishad states, “Just as rivers lose their names and forms upon merging into the ocean…”

This illustrates that the individual soul ultimately merges with the supreme soul. Ganesh Visarjan symbolizes this eternal truth that the soul eventually dissolves into the divine.

The Message of Renunciation and Detachment (Interpretation of Puranas)

Puranas emphasize that renunciation is the highest virtue. The immersion of Ganesha teaches us that even from beloved entities, one must eventually detach. This detachment is the path to self-realization and liberation.

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