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Why Do We Perform Ganesh Immersion or Visarjan

Visarjan is a Sanskrit word for the final act of respectfully requesting departure, usually related to a God or Goddess. Now, we all are familiar with the meaning of this word, but visually we relate to Visarjan as a day of commotions and pollution, in every celebrating part of the country, which not only breaks our heart but also makes us ponder over the whole idea of disintegrating the creation of something which was regarded with such fervor just a few days ago. Hence arises the prime question on why exactly the god and goddesses are immersed in water and what exactly is the significance of a Visarjan.

The whole essence of Ganpati Visarjan is based on the philosophy of the Earth balancing the power and energy of Lord Ganesha to even out the universe.

The entire basis of the festival is held on the concept that during the first day of the Utsava, the idol is bought into the houses which is also called to be known as Prana Prathista, symbolizing the presence of the deity in the idol. After the  Ganpati, Navratri, the power and energy of the lord is said to reach to an unfathomable peak, making it impossible for anyone else, but the Bhu Mata (Mother Earth, also a form of Goddess Shakti) to control it. So, the idea of immersing the idol in water lies in reason that Earth tends to calm the power of Ganesha, with him going back to his heavenly abode.

Another version on the procession of Ganpati Visarjan depicts it in a different light, where it almost acts as an instrument of balance in environment. It says that idols are made of the old clay that is dug up from several water bodies, while getting them to prepare as reservoirs, for the oncoming monsoon season. Once the Puja is done, the idol still clad with the kumkum and turmeric tilak and garland of herbs and flowers from the Navratri is put down to rest from its same area origin. Now one may think of the logical reasoning behind this entire process, of immersing the idol from the same place of its immersion. The reason for this is that while the clay goes back to where it came from, the particles of the herbs, turmeric and others serve as food for the aquatic life in the water bodies.

Viewing from a layman’s perception, one may think of how such an ecologically well thought festival, with a background supporting its environment preserving nature, can be called to be known as India’s toxic festival? The answer lies in the inventions of the new age of modernity and development. With statues made of Plaster of Paris, chemical paints, harmful concoctions, the new age have twisted the entire process and meaning behind celebrating festivals.

However, a ray of hope lies in the fact that an emerging trend of environmentally aware society, would together thread back the path to the true sense of festival and we celebrate it in the beautiful way that it was all throughout supposed to be.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/why-do-we-perform-ganesh-immersion-or-visarjan

The Female Ganesha

Hinduism as a religion involves the worship of not just one, but many deities. Each of these deities does not exist only as male or female Gods. In fact, every divine being has a male and a female form.

Their existence establishes essence only when they exist in their male and female avatars, signifying the complete circle of life. While the male avatar stands for mental power, the female avatar of a divine being represents the physical state of power or the ‘Shakti’. Lord Vishnu’s female avatar is known as Vaishnavi, Lord Indra’s female avatar is called Indrani, and Lord Brahma’s female avatar is called Brahmini. Similarly, Lord Ganesha too is complimented by his female avatar, Vinayaki, who is also called Ganeshvari.

The story about the female avatar of Lord Ganesha involves different interpretations. According to one interpretation, the demon Asura wanted Goddess Parvati to be his wife, and tried to obtain her by force. She appealed to her husband, Lord Shiva, who immediately raised His trident and impaled the demon. However, this demon possessed a certain magic power which turned every drop of his blood into another demon. The only way left to kill him was to ensure that not even a single drop of the demon’s blood would fall to the ground. Parvati was aware that every God is a combination of the male and female avatar, implying a combination of mental and physical state of power. Therefore, She called out to all the Shaktis who, on Her request, released. Their female energies to drink the blood of the demon so as to ensure his death. Among all these Shaktis, there was also present the female form of Lord Ganesha- Vinayaki or Ganeshvari.

This idea of a female elephant-headed deity is very important in the Tantric rituals, as these rituals prefer the worship of the divine female rather than the male dominant form. It was only with these tantric practices that the popularity of the female goddesses grew, as these practitioners believed in the generative powers of the female. The female is considered the source of all material resources that are responsible for the continuity of life. As a result, there now exists a divide between sages- one group that gives more importance to the mental strength, hence focusing worship on the male deities, and the other group veered towards material resources, hence focussing worship on the female deities.

Moreover, there are also a group of scholars who have yet another interpretation of the female Ganesha. The Puranic texts mention an elephant headed companion of Lord Ganesha, called Malini, who was also the nursemaid of the Lord. This has made some scholars think that the female Ganesha was not a Goddess or a female avatar, but an exaggerated form of Malini, the nursemaid.

Despite all of these variances in the approach and debates among sages, it is important to note that this female Ganesha is acknowledged on the occasion of Vinayaki Chaturthi which falls on the fourth day after the new moon appears.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/the-female-ganesha

Symbolism of Lord Ganesha’s Body

We all know the legendary tale behind the Elephant head of Lord Ganesha. However, there’s much more to it. Lord Ganesha in His entirety carries an appearance that woos many hearts and mesmerises them. Such is His figure and interesting, every part of His body has come to symbolize a great meaning through which a learning can be derived.

To begin with, the unique feature of Lord Ganesha is His Elephant Head. The elephant symbolises Gyan Shakti and Karma Shakti, therefore its principal qualities being Wisdom and effortlessness. The head of the elephant has come to signify wisdom and knowledge. As the elephant with the help of his trunk can both uproot a strong tree and pick up a fine blade of a grass, in Ganesha's body, the trunk of Ganesha primarily symbolizes that wisdom which is necessary to differentiate good from bad.

The big belly which we generally identify with Lord Ganesha represents generosity and total acceptance. On observing carefully, we will notice that in most idols, one hand of the Lord is shown upraised, while the other hand is shown facing downward, facing outwards. The upraised hand is a symbol depiction protection, implying the motive of “Fear not, I am with you”. The palm facing outward points towards endless giving and is an indication to bow down which is indicative towards the universal reality that we all ultimately dissolve into earth. The lotus in his hands is a symbol of enlightenment. The other hand that holds hatchet is a symbol of that enlightened soul which has abstained himself from all the material possessions. Further, the large ears of Ganesha symbolizes his acknowledgement of the prayers by his devotees.

Lord Ganesha is always shown with a mouse, his chosen mode of transport. The question is, why the mouse? Mice are known for snipping and nibbling away at ropes that bind things. Therefore, the mouse is like a mantra which can cut through ignorance, leading to ultimate knowledge. It is also believed that since mouse is often called the symbol of greed, hence Ganesha, who rides on a mouse symbolizes that greed should be controlled by the wisdom of a person.

Hence, Lord Ganesha is not only a God with the head of an elephant. The reality to this Lord runs much deeper than this.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/symbolism-of-lord-ganeshas-body

Fighting the After Effects of Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration

A day after the Ganpati Visarjan, in the wee hours of early morning, Juhu beach, located in suburban Mumbai wakes up to, quite an unpleasant sight. The beach, popular with the Visarjan procession lays bare as a witness, to the brunt of the extravagant and emotional adieu the city gave to its favorite deity.

Later in the day, the entire stretch of the beach exhibits half broken bodies of idol all piled up around the beach, as groups of young men drag the other lot from the sea of filthy brown water waves carrying polythene, thermocol and paint crashes by.

This is not just the story of Juhu beach, but of all those water bodies that been subjected to incalculable pollution during the festive season in the city. Chowpatty beach, at a distance of 1km drive from Marine Drive, is another spot that has been regarded as a favored venue for the devotees. For years this has become a common sight for the Mumbaikers who treat it as a common occurrence to happens after every festival.

It is in such situations that the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faces one of their toughest and never ending challenges of cleaning up the city. But with experience of the same state of affairs over years, they immediate set to the task and conduct huge clean up drives. Loaders are appointed to carry the large statues that is to be disposed off while the smaller remnants are raked up by the volunteers.

In this case the general public also plays a very big part, assisting the municipality and also maintaining their civic duty. Undeterred and unflinchingly, the city goers take full responsibility and come out together to work towards bringing back the ecological stability of the city. The huge mass clean- drive is joined by enthusiastic students from various schools and colleges, NGO members, government civic officials, along with volunteers. Age is not a matter when even the elderly come out and join the activity with utmost sincerity as the debris not only is an ugly sight but also hurts sentiments of the devotees to look at the idols of their deities lying around like garbage.

In pursuit of the clean city and environment support, WheresMyPandit has also joined hands with civic bodies and will run the cleaning drives at various visarjan locations in Mumbai.

The consciousness of the movement reaches as far as high society of the who’s who of Mumbai. Celebrities and ministers, also get into the dirt to clean up the choas, which accelerates the advertising of the cause and attracting more and more individuals to join it.

With over 6000 idols commissioned every year to Mumbai, the job of cleaning the remnants of the Visarjan can be quite tough job but that doesn’t affect the decisiveness of the Marathi manoos to make up for the disarray of the city’s organization. Though the invention of artificial ponds and several other green measures has been a welcome boon for the city however still a large population of worshippers remain undeterred by the fact of the festivals polluting the environment to a great extent.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/fighting-the-after-effects-of-ganesh-chaturthi-celebration

12 Life Lessons by Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is considered to be the God of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings. His preaching enlighten the lives of his devotees and show them the path to salvation. This is the spirit Lord Ganesha that touches the heart of each one of us. The ambience created by his presence rejuvenates us to every possible extend.

Lord Ganesha’s every body part symbolizes a unique life lesson which is empirical and helpful in uplifting our lives. There are numerous things that one can learn from this powerful yet wise Lord. Some of these life lessons that one can learn from Lord Ganesha are mentioned below.

Lesson1: Think Big
One should keep the morale high and think big. Ganesha’s big head is a symbol of intelligence and immense brain power which empowers and makes you take path less travelled.

Lesson 2: Listen more
It is important to listen as many times we miss out on small details that we might have acknowledged if we have had bothered to hear. Ganesh’s big ears denote the ability to listen to his devotees. Listening also help in gaining knowledge and absorbing ideas.

Lesson3: Concentrate
It is important for us to concentrate on what is important and rewarding rather than what is not. Also, this makes things more organized and manageable. Lord Ganesha’s small eye represents concentration and focus.

“A person who has control on his mind, can achieve success in his life”

Lesson 4: Master the time
It is important to be the master of your time, to govern the clocks and not to be governed by it. It’s all about how well one time oneself. Ganesh’s Urdha mark on his forehead represents the master of time.

Lesson 5: Overcome dualism
It is important for us to acknowledge the good and bad experiences of our lives. Learn from the adversities and restore the good ones. One has to move ahead and overcome the dualism. It is important to introspect and keep the good habits, thoughts and give up on the bad ones.

Lord Ganesha’s single tusk represents and signifies to overcome duality.

Lesson 6: Virtue of Calmness
Panic and anxiety make us loose our ability of judgment. Hence are unable to conform to the situation. On the other hand keeping calm will let one have peace of mind, efficiency at work and better judgment. This virtue helps one to analyze good and bad, and look beyond that. One is able to swallow the sorrows and live a happy life. Ganesha’s Big belly signifies the virtue of calmness and represents the infinite universe.

Lesson 7: Social and spiritual life
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha’s resting position signifies the importance of way of living. One should have social as well as spiritual life equally balanced. One should engage oneself in the society, help the fellow beings and appreciate Lord’s creation.

Lesson 8: Respect your parents
According to the mythological story, once Kartikey who is Lord Ganesha’s younger brother, teased him for being lazy. In that context he challenged him that whoever will come first to Mount Kailash after having completed three rounds of the Earth will win. Lord Ganesha used his intelligence and took his three rounds around Lord Shiva and Parvati. When he was accused by his brother of false play, Ganesha replied that the entire world rests in his parent’s feet. One should devote oneself in service of his parents.

Lesson 9: Sweetness and devotion
The fourth arm of Lord Ganesha holding Modaka, symbolizes the sweetness of self-realization. One should always keep a sense of purity and give up with attributes of jealousy and envy

Lesson 10: Detachment
Lord Ganesha with a hand waving an axe is a symbol of detachment of all desires, bearers of pain and suffering. One can achieve true happiness if he will work without the desire or expectation of reward. One should detach oneself from materialistic worldly desires.

Lesson 11: Being optimistic and ambitious
The second hand of Lord Ganesha holding a rope and lotus is a symbol of highest goal of human evolution and that God will ultimately pull you through the rope.

Lesson12: Logic and doubt
It is good to use ones logic while addressing the problems. But at the same time logic always might not serve the purpose. Hence it is equally important to be cautious. These attributes will help one in becoming a good leader. His Mouse symbolizes logic and doubt.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/12-life-lessons-by-lord-ganesha