Bhopal,
City witnessed grand immersion of all the huge idols of Lord Ganesha and said goodbye to Lord Ganesha on Thursday on the occasion of ‘Anant Chaturdashi’. Anant Chaturdashi is the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav. The ten-day long celebration came to a beautiful end with this pious occasion.
It is a festival observed and celebrated with same zeal which was observed on the first day of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’. Chaturthi is the fourth day of the lunar fortnight, while Chaturdashi is the fourteenth. The immersion of the idols is taking place at Bhadbhada, Khatlapura and Bairagarh. Vessels have been kept at prominent squares and big pandals for the immersion.
The arrangements for immersion have been made at Bagh Mugalia Extension Colony, The Homes Colony, Royal Vilas, Vijay Nagar Colony, Arera Colony, Central Jail Colony and other places. Devotees travelled to the waterfront with the idols, large and small, dancing and singing in large processions. Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement.
After the Dol Gyaras occasion, still a number of huge adorable idols of Lord Ganesha are left for the immersion which will be done on Anant Chaturdashi. Bhandaras held at temples and pandals Bhandara (community feast) was also held at temples and pandals. People visited the nearby areas for seeking blessings from elephant-headed deity for happiness and prosperous life. On the day, some of the youngsters were seen carrying Lord Ganesha idol with fanfare and joy for immersion.
Other people who installed small tableau at their homes also immersed the idol of Ganpati Bappa in water at their homes and nearby water resources on the same day itself. Now, on Thursday, devotees will perform grand mahaarti and various other rituals to say Goodbye to Lord Ganesha. Next year the Ganesha will be welcomed again by the devotees with open hearts.
Anant Chaturdashi holds immense significance in the Hindu religion. The occasion is also popularly known as Anant Chaudas. The sacred day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is called as the Lord of several avatars and the preserver of the universe. On Wednesday, the devotees performed various religious ceremonies including Hawan, Path, Bhandara, cultural programme, etc. Hawan was performed at various pandals to mark the occasion.
Nodal officers deployed at immersion ghats Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified Nodal Officers who will be deployed at all Visarjan ghats in the city. The Nodal Officers will be available in all immersion sites. At Immersion sites divers will also be deployed in order to counter any adverse or unfortunate incidents fire brigade will also be stationed.
Fire safety squad will be there at Sehore Naka, Dhobighaat, Khatla Pura, Kalighat, Talaiyya, Hatahikheda, Shahura, Intkhedi, Malikhedi, Hatahikheda etc. Fire brigade will also be deployed at TT Nagar Dussehra Maidan, Sant Hridaram Nagar, Cholla Dussehra Maidan, Shaitan Singh Chauraha, Naveri Mandir, Lalghat, Bittan Marker, Laharpur, Ashok Garden, Banjari Hills. It has to be noted that pertaining of immersion of idols with respect of festival of Durga Pooja, observance of Tazia by the Muslim Community, compliance adhering to the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board will be under scrutiny. NGT has given directives to State Government to ensure the compliance of the CPCB guidelines. Cleanliness and sanitation inspection along with religious water pooja materials waste proper disposal is under scrutiny.