MUMBAI: Friday's festival of
Anant Chaturdashi draws the curtains on the state's biggest festival of Ganeshotsav.
The pain of parting from a beloved guest after a 12-day sojourn is expressed in silent tears and the prayer 'Pudhchya varshi lavkar ya!'
Acharya Mithlesh of Arya Samaj, Goregaon, said, "References to the invocation and immersion of Ganpati are found in the Agni Purana. The immersion of Ganpati is not merely a tradition; it also conveys a profound message about life."
"By immersing the idol, we are reminded that one day we must leave everything behind and depart from this world. Therefore, one should not become overly attached to anything. Immersion teaches us the value of detachment and the need to let go of worldly attachments," he added.
"However, immersion does not signify an end; rather, it marks a new beginning. Once a chapter concludes, we should move forward in life with renewed enthusiasm." Acharya Mithilesh says that historically, Ganpati immersion existed even 250 years before Lokmanya Tilak, as a private, household ritual.
Mandals are taking all precautions to give the idol a befitting farewell. Ganesh Gully's Mumbaicha Raja will be led mid-sea on a barge for the first time ever, instead of the routine trolley visarjan, says secretary Swapnil Parab.
Each farewell wil be meticulous and replete with ritual. Sculptor Akshay Gharat had carved a small 'Kanha roop' Ganesh adorned with peacock feather and golden flute, seated on a blooming pink lotus.
"We will perform immersion in an artificial pond," he said.
In Bhandup the 46-year-old Maratha Mitra Mandal says it is the first local mandal to have brought a 24ft tall Ganesh idol by Rajan Zhad made from papier mache.
It will be immersed in Bhandup Lake. The mandal conducts health camps and drug awareness drives.
This season the 58-year-old Bhatwadi Cha Raja mandal of Ghatkopar traces India’s journey from ancient knowledge systems to AI.
Spokesman Pratik Jadhav says the journey began through a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjun, onto Lokmanya Tilak, APJ Abdul Kalam, ISRO onward to Artificial Intelligence. A 3D cardboard rocket told the story of India's space odyssey. President Sachin Sarmalkar says the idol was made using eco-friendly materials. No plastic or thermocol was used.
