When Every Ganesha Goes Home

When Every Ganesha Goes Home

One of the loveliest sights of Ganesha Visarjan is not always the enormous processions with giant idols.

Sometimes it is something much simpler.

In a small village, forty or fifty men from the village with their families gather  together, each carrying his own small Ganesha—the same kind of Ganesha that has been lovingly worshipped at home.

Each one balances his little Lord on his head.

They form a circle, dance together, sing, clap and celebrate. For a while, it feels as though dozens of homes have come together, carrying their beloved Ganeshas for one final celebration.

The family and children among them bid a tearful send off children may be watching with tears for them the Ganesha visit was joyful because the family prayed together ate the goodies as Prasad and enjoyed the time with the cute Ganesha.

They cannot understand why Ganesha, who came into their home with so much love, must now go away.

But that is the gentle lesson of Visarjan.

Ganesha is not being taken away.

The little clay form returns to the elements from which it came. The love remains. The blessings remain. The memory remains.

We welcome Him.

We celebrate Him.

And then, with faith, we let Him go.

Perhaps that is what Ganesha teaches us each year:

Nothing that is truly divine is ever lost.

Only the form changes.

Homes are places with many people who come and even the family may not be in a position to care for the Lord as how he should be cared for. No untoward incident can happen either with the idol or the ceremonies being celebrated. Thus it is best to do Visarjan and pray for safe return the next festive season.