Sunday, August 27, 2017

Home Ganesh and Reason to Immerse

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Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated at home on Friday and as usual parents bought clay idol of Ganesh and after the worship the idol was immersed in a tub of water in the evening. For last 10 years we have been immersing the idol in same way rather dropping at sea or river (what many others do), and the muddy water is later used for watering plants.

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Actually the clay idols should be immersed in rivers, where those days there used to be flood in rivers during this time and the running water wash away the sands on river bed to let water flow easily into the sea instead of slow and steady progress which rise up the groundwater table. The dissolving clay idols control the flow of water by blocking and turning it harder and the dry clay idols suck the water at the floor of river help increasing the groundwater level.

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The clay idol put into a bucket of water to dissolve
Our ancestors had a reason to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi and the practice of dissolving clay idols was beneficial then, but what we dissolve these days only pollute the water bodies. The clay was transformed into various toxic substances to give colors and different shapes to Ganesha. These days all rivers run into the state are dry but the reasonable practice, which supposed to take a break turned into a ritual where the choice of immerse becomes anything and most of the times it was sea or lakes.

For those unaware: Ganesh Chaturthi is a grand festival in India, devoted to Ganesha – a prime deity worshiped by Hindus. It is celebrated as ten-day festival in northern states of India and is usually celebrated privately at home as well in public, and is organised by local youth groups mostly where they collect money from public to form pandals (temporary shelters) to install Ganesha idols. 

12 comments:

Sandi said...

Interesting! Thanks for the background on how these things developed.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jeevan!:) This was a most interesting read about the practice of worshiping clay idols, which is a family ritual! Traditions and rituals die hard, even though the true purpose for the festival no longer exists, the 10 day Ganesh Chaturthi festival continues to be celebrated by the faithful, like so many other traditions, and religious festivals around the world. Thank you for your detailed explanation.:)

GreenComotion said...

Grand setting. Hope you had a lot of kozhukkattai :)
Have a Happy Week, Jeevan!
Peace :)

Twilight Man said...

This is a good eye opener to learn about how the idol statues are dissolved into the water. This sounds so practical yet unique to me. I like the way the Hindus place the altars in a cupboard-like shrine with doors covered. I could understand the theory behind the closed doors.

Rajesh said...

Ganaparthi Bappa Morya.

Nancy Chan said...

Interesting sharing on your family ritual and worship. This is something new to me. Have a wonderful day!

carol l mckenna said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful tradition of Ganesh ~ an honor to share with you ~ ^_^

(A SHUTTERBUG EXPLORES)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, it is interesting learning and seeing your rituals. The festival sounds like a wonderful tradition and celebration. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Lady Fi said...

Such pretty shots.

Destination Infinity said...

We only buy Clay Pillayars that are not painted. This year we immersed it in the beach ourselves :)

Destination Infinity

George said...

Thanks for all the information about both the festival and the idols. I think your family is wise to immerse the idol in the bathtub and then use the water to water your plants. Great conservation of resources!

L. D. said...

I remember this from last year. The flowers decorating the soaking idol makes a grand design.