As per the science of Spirituality, the divinity generated in the Idol consecrated on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi lasts only for a day. That is why the Idol should be immersed in water that very day or the next day, after performing ritualistic worship.
Before immersing Idol of Shri Ganesh the uttarpuja (Concluding ritualistic worship) is performed. After performing this ritualistic worship, the Idol is shifted slightly from its place. Uttarpuja means bidding farewell to Shri Ganesh with due reverence.
1. Uttarpuja (Uttaravahan)
A. Ritual
This puja (Ritualistic worship) should be performed before immersing the Ganapati Idol in flowing water.
The worship should be performed amidst the recitation of specific mantras as follows –
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Achaman,
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Sankalpa (Resolve)
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Chandanarpan (Offering gandha [Sandalwood paste]),
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Akshatarpan (Offering akshata),
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Pushparpan (Offering flowers),
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Haridrakumkumarpan (Offering haldi [Turmeric powder] & kumkum [Saffron]),
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Durvarpan (Offering durva)
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Dhoopa-deep darshan (Lighting frankincense and a lamp)
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Naivedya.
(Variation : Haldi and kumkum are offered along with the gandha.)
Thereafter, Arati should be performed and the worship concluded by offering mantrapushpanjali. Everyone should offer akshata onto Shri Ganapati’s hand and move the Idol a little with the right hand.
B. Significance
The aim is that the performer of the puja should get endowed with Ganapati waves to the maximum. The concluding uttarpuja is the final step in augmenting the absorption of these waves. During the uttarpuja, all the pavitraks leave the Idol at once. After performing this puja, the Idol is slightly shifted from its place. Due to this, the remaining pavitraks leave the Idol, and hence, the performer of the puja can be their recipient.
In a temple of Shri Ganapati, soon after the mahapuja by a devotee is completed, the uttarpuja is performed. Then the mahapuja by the next devotee is performed. The uttarpuja has a special significance here. Since Shri Ganapati is invited again, it is important that He should be bid farewell (immersed) with equal honour.
2. Visarjan
After the uttarpuja, the Idol is immersed in flowing water. When taking the Ganapati Idol for immersion, we should also offer curd, puffed rice, coconut, modak etc. as provision for the journey. Arati should be performed once again beside the reservoir of water intended for immersion and then the Idol immersed along with the provisions into the flowing water. After immersion, it is customary to bring home some earth from the place of immersion and sprinkle it around the house.
An important point regarding the immersion of Shri Ganesh Idol is that the divinity infused in the mud Idol by consecration cannot remain in it beyond one day. This means, that no matter when the Ganesh Idol is immersed, the divinity in it is already lost on the second day. Hence, it is most appropriate in all aspects to immerse the Idol of any Deity on that very day or the next after performing uttarpuja. If soyar or sutak is being observed in the family, get the vrat (Vowed religious observance) of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi performed by a priest. Similarly, immersion of the Idol on the decided day itself without waiting for an event such as a delivery etc. to occur in the family is approved by the scriptures.
It is said above that, ‘The divinity generated in the Idol because of Pranapatishṭha (Consecration) cannot last more than a day’. One might ask that if this is so, how will devotees benefit from a twentyone-day worship of Shri Ganesh Idol during the Ganesh festival. The answer is – Though the divinity in the Idol is destroyed, the Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) remains in the Idol for 21 days. Again, since the Idol is ritualistically worshipped during the Ganesh festival, the Chaitanya in the Idol can increase as per the intensity of bhav (Spiritual emotion) of the devotees.
Reason for immersing the Idol in flowing water
Due to Chaitanya in Idols of Shri Ganapati on immersion it purifies the water. With the flowing water, this Chaitanya reaches far and wide and many people benefit from them. This water evaporates, too; hence, it makes the atmosphere sattvik (Sattva-predominant).
A. ‘Donation of Idol’ is unscientific, ‘immersion of Idol’ is most appropriate : It is mentioned in the scriptures, that immersion of Shri Ganesh Idol should necessarily be done in flowing water or a reservoir. However, some people view the immersion of the Idol as an act that causes water pollution, famine etc. As a remedy on this problem, some anti-Hindus make a ridiculous appeal to the people to donate Idols instead of immersing them. Besides being unscientific, the donation of Idols is an insult to Shri Ganesh. The following are the reasons why the donation of Idol is unscientific.
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Immersing an Idol (that is consecrated) on Shri Ganesh Chaturthi in the Bhadrapad month is a religious ritual as per the scriptures.
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To donate a Deity or to accept the Deity’s donation is a grave insult to Deities, for we humans do not have the capability to give or accept Deities in donation.
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An Idol is not a toy or a show piece that can be discarded or donated after use as per one’s whims and fancies.
It has been observed that the workers of anti-Hindu organisations collect the Idols and throw them in stone quarries. This is how they dispose of the objects of our faith. Why should we allow such an insult of Dharma (Righteousness) ?
Every year, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti organises and effects a campaign to create awareness among people on this issue. Do not donate Idols; and for protection of Dharma, participate in these campaigns organized by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti !
B. How to immerse an Idol in critical circumstances ? : Certain regions do not have reservoirs with enough water for immersion. At some other places, all the sources of water are polluted, making them unsuitable for immersion of the Idol. Likewise, because of a famine or a calamity in a place, Idol immersion may not be possible. Such a situation can be tackled in the following two ways :
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Instead of consecrating an Idol, place a betel nut and worship it symbolically as Shri Ganapati. The betel nut can be immersed in a small well or a stream.
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Buy a new metal Idol of Shri Ganapati for the Chaturthi festival and worship it after consecration. Though a Ganapati Idol is always present in daily worship, the reason for bringing a new Idol is as follows – The Ganesh waves descend onto the earth in a larger proportion on Shri Ganesh Chaturthi. If they are invoked in our daily worship, the Idol will get charged with tremendous amount of energy. It will become difficult to honour such an Idol possessing tremendous amount of energy with meticulous ritualistic worship throughout the year; for it means strictly following the restrictions of Karmakanḍa. Hence, a new metal Idol should be bought. Such an Idol need not be actually immersed in water. At the time of immersion, keep some akshata on the palm of the Idol and move the Idol a little with the right hand. With this, the Principle in the Idol also is immersed. Such an Idol need not be worshipped daily. Next year, this Idol may again be consecrated and worshipped.
Reference : Sanatan Sanstha’s Holy text ‘Shri Ganapati’.
