Ganeshotsav is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Maharashtra. It includes a ten-day worship of Lord Ganesha’s idols, at the end of which the immersion ceremony (Visarjan) is performed. This year the first day, Ganesh Chaturthi fell on Friday, 29th August. The festivities at the Nerul Ashram commenced with the Ashta Dravya Mahaganapati Homam at 6.30 a.m.
At 9.30 a.m.,the Ganapati Pratishta was conducted and the beautifully adorned Ganapati idols were installed in a specially created shrine. A splendid spread of sweets was offered to the Lord. Devotees then participated in the chanting of the Ganesha Ashtothram and the Lalita Sahasranamam.
The Arati was performed in the mornings and evenings on all five days. On Tuesday, 2nd September, the bedecked idols of the Lord were carried for immersion to a nearby lake. After one last Arati, devotees looked on sadly as their deity was consigned to the waters. Like every year, the wait continues…
