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Today is the farewell festival of the 5-day festival of the first revered Lord Shri Ganesha, who was installed as per rituals in homes and puja pandals on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. In Sanatan tradition, devotees immerse Bappa after one and a half days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days or full 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi, according to their devotion and total tradition. The devotees who had invited Vighnaharta to their homes for 5 days are bidding farewell to beloved Gajanan with moist eyes and the sound of drums and musical instruments today. It is believed in the scriptures that while bidding farewell to Bappa, observing the right auspicious time, Choghadiya and rituals brings permanent happiness, peace and prosperity in the house.
According to astrology, performing the ritual of immersion in an auspicious Choghadiya and favorable ascendant is considered extremely fruitful. One should avoid immersion during Rahukaal. Today’s major immersion times are as follows:
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Morning Muhurat (Chara, Labh, Amrit): The time from 06:15 am to 10:45 am is very best for the last aarti of Bappa and starting the farewell procession.
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Midday Muhurta (Auspicious Choghadiya): The most auspicious time in the afternoon will be from 12:15 pm to 01:45 pm.
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Evening Muhurta (Chara, Profit): The immersion ritual can be performed from 04:50 pm to 06:20 pm and also during twilight hours.
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Avoid Rahukaal: Postponing the Visarjan Karma or the final departure during that specific 90 minute hour of the day (Rahukaal) is considered scriptural.
Before bidding farewell to Bappa, he should be respected in the same manner as was done on the day of establishment. First of all, offer clean clothes or Pitambari to Lord Ganesha by sprinkling Ganga water and Panchamrit. After this, offer 21 knots of Roli, Akshat, sandalwood, perfume and Durva. Red hibiscus flower is very dear to Lord Ganesha, it must be offered. After this, offer modak, gram flour laddu, seasonal fruits and panchmeva.
All the family members together sing the Aarti of Lord Ganesha with incense sticks. After this, tie some betel nut, Akshat, Durva, Dakshina and Modak in a clean yellow or red cloth and keep it with the idol of Bappa as ‘Pathey’ (food/ration for the journey). It is believed that God is not sent empty handed at the time of farewell.
After Aarti and Bhog, before starting the Visarjan Yatra, gently move the post or platform on which Bappa is installed, a few inches forward in the direction of Ishaan angle. This is called ‘Pata Hilana’, which symbolizes that God’s hospitality is complete and now he is leaving for his abode (Kailash).
After this, with folded hands, chant the mantra of forgiveness for the mistakes made in worship knowingly or unknowingly:
Avahanam na janami na janami visarjanam. Pooja Chaiva Na Janami Khamsva Parmeshwar.
Pray to God that he takes away all the troubles, obstacles and negative energy from the family and leaves Riddhi-Siddhi and blessings in the house.
Today, the practice of eco-friendly immersion at home has increased rapidly to maintain the cleanliness of rivers and reservoirs. If clay (Shadu Mati) Ganesha is installed in your house, fill a big tub, clean bucket or pot with clean water and add some Ganga water, turmeric and fresh flowers in it. After this, slowly immerse the idol of Bappa in water with cheers. When the soil dissolves completely, pour that sacred soil and water into the roots of other flower pots or plants in the house except the Tulsi plant. With this, the courtyard of your house will always remain green with Bappa’s blessings.
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Don’t throw away the statue: While immersing the idol in a river, canal or pond, never throw the idol from the bridge or bank. With full respect, go into the water or sit on the shore and immerse yourself slowly with both hands.
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Don’t show your back: Till Bappa completely dissolves in the water, remain in prayer posture with folded hands, do not turn your back immediately and return.
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Pooja material should not be insulted: Do not tie the flowers, garlands and coconuts used during immersion in plastic bags and throw them in water, instead dispose of the dry waste separately.
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Do not wear black or blue clothes: Avoid wearing black or dark blue colored clothes on the auspicious occasion of immersion; Wearing yellow, orange, red or white clothes on this day is considered very auspicious.