Ganesh Utsav, one of the most popular Hindu festivals, is celebrated every year from Ganesh Chaturthi (the fourth day of Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month) to Anant Chaturdashi (the 14th day). The festival begins with the installation of Lord Ganesha idols on Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the divine birth of Lord Ganesha. It concludes with Ganesh Visarjan-the immersion of idols-on Anant Chaturdashi.
However, the days of immersion differ from region to region and community to community.
Different Traditions of Ganesh Visarjan
1. Kokanastha Community (Maharashtra): In the Kokanastha community, the Ganpati idol is immersed after just one and a half days of worship.
2. Deshastha Community (Maharashtra): The Deshastha community follows the tradition of immersing idols on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th day. Many families also perform Visarjan before the installation of Jyeshtha Gauri. Some prefer to do it at the time of Gauri immersion.
It is widely believed that the custom of celebrating Ganesh Utsav and performing Visarjan started in Maharashtra. According to a popular legend, Lord Ganesha once traveled from North India to Maharashtra to meet his brother Kartikeya. He stayed there for ten days, and after his visit, the people bid him farewell with love and devotion. This farewell gradually became a tradition, giving rise to the practice of Ganesh Visarjan.
