GaneshChaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi

How To Perform Ganesh Visarjan

Is there any special Ganesh Visarjan mantras or procedure?

Any specific ritual while performing immersion of Ganesha after Chaturthi Pujas?

These are some of the common doubts that many devotees have; The concept of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Ganesha comes to the home of his devotees on Ganesh Chaturthi day. He brings auspiciousness, hope, success and happiness to all homes. During His brief stay, He removes all obstacles. While returning He takes with him all problems and unhappiness.
Ganesh Visarjan Mantras
There are no specific Ganesh Visarjan mantras.
The only chant that is done is Ganapati Bappa Moriya...
You can also chant this prayer:
Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe
O Vinayaka! The remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!
Ganesh Visarjan Procedure
Before taking Ganesh for Visarjan. You should perform Aarti. All the family members should be present. Usual Ganesh Mantras and Aarti prayers should be chanted.

On day of Visarjan, the day should start with the Pooja (Morning Aarti). We sing the Jai Ganesh Deva and Sukhkarta Dukhharta Aartis. After the Aarti, it is preferred to put 'Bhog' the Holy Prasad! which should be distributed among all the family members.

The visarjan ritual begins with the Uttarang puja which involves offering five items, namely deep (oil lamps), pushp (flowers), dhoop (incense), gandh (fragrance) and naivedya (food) to Ganpati.

When it is time for Visarjan, the family members should gather once again and perform the Visarjan Aarti before leaving the house. (the same aartis as mentioned above). After the Visarjan Aarti and distributing the prasad, one of the family member should very slowly and slightly move the Ganpati Murti, about 1 inch forward. This should be done just before leaving the house abt 5-10 mins before. This is an indication / significance to Him that the family is going to take Him for Visarjan.

You should thank Ganesha for visiting your home. Thank him for bringing prosperity and auspiciousness. Thank him for taking away all difficulties with him.

Ask for his pardon for any mistakes committed.

If you plan to bring Ganesh murti next year, then ask him to return.

After this, all members of the household gather to sprinkle akshat or raw rice upon the lord.

Now a spoonful of curd is poured into Ganesh's outstretched palm because Hindus especially Maharashtrians believe that any guest who receives curd and rice is sure to visit again.

Take a red cloth, put sukha nariyal (half), stuff it with jaggery and 5 different grains, tie it in a knot and tie this around Ganesh ji's hand. This is the food prepared for His journey.

Ask for His blessings. The family then circumambulates Ganesha murti after which it is led for immersion.

Take some water and sprinkle it on the person performing the Visarjan.

When the family is ready to take Ganeshji for Visarjan, the family members must pick up the Ganesh Murti and take Him around the House, mainly the master bedrooms and the kitchen so that His Holy Feet and Blessings are taken around the full house.

Other people around can chant Ganapati Bappa Moriya... and other Ganesha chants. Once the murti is lifted up do not place it at home. Walk out of home and move towards the immersion point.

Upon exiting the house, or the building, one family member must take a Coconut and circle on the head of the Murti three times and break the coconut on the ground and leave it aside. (this one is not to be distributed as prasad) and cane be immersed in the waters the same day.

Once done, family members can proceed to the Beach or Visarjan Spot, where once again the Aartis should be performed before finally letting Him go. This should be at the Beach, with the Murti facing infront of the waves.

The person performing the Visarjan should remove all garlands and other decorations on Ganesha.

Collect it in a newspaper or cover. This should not be thrown in the river or water body. Should be place in appropriate spot given by authorities.

The Murti can then be immersed and His face can be towards the Family when taken inside the water, so you can see Him while He is going.

His Blessings will remain with you and your family, and He will take with Him away all kasht and problems and bless you and your family with Peace, Prosperity and Health.
Kindly note
The Kalash should be taken with you to the beach, the water in the kalash and the contents should be immersed in the water. If you are bringing Ganpati home, next year then you should bring Home some Sand on the Sandli (paath on which Ganeshji Murti sits) and also bring back the Coconut of the Kalash which can be tied in a red cloth and kept in your temple and immersed the next year and the new coconut can be preserved.

However, if you do not intend to bring Ganeshji home next year, you can very well immerse the coconut of the kalash along with the kalash water and other contents.

Return home and take bath.

At home, place the sandli at the spot where Ganeshji was sitting, and you can remove the decoration the next day. The supari and rice which was kept under Ganpati ji, should also be immersed the next day. The money which was kept under the sandli can be used for any Holy purpose like poor feeding etc.

The Akhand Jyot, Diya which was lit continuous, can be kept in your temple from the next day onwards. Some people choose to let it be on for 10 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. That is your choice.
Symbolic Immersion
You can also perform a symbolic immersion by sprinkling water on Ganesha.

This is if it is made of metal or porcelain and you plan to use it next year.

Such murtis should be carefully kept in the puja room or in a spot without disturbing it.
Additional Information
When/If offering Bhog to Gajanan, please do not put onion, garlic and ginger in the food. This can be eaten or served as Preeti Bhojan and Maha Prasad among the Family Members.

I wish you and your family a very Blessed Chaturthi!

Ganesha bless you with immense Happiness, Peace and Health!

If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to write to me at harsh@ganeshchaturthi.com