Shree Ganesh Visarjan

Once every two years, as many of you may know, our community’s Ganesh Murti is immersed in the seas, or as we say - "Ganapati Visarjan". The form that we ascribe to one of our nation of origin’s most sacred deities – is returned to nature as part of the Visarjan.

This year, Ganapati Visarjan was set for 19 May 2002. Our pilgrimage began at the Maharashtra Mandal Hall from where a number of our community members departed for Dr Kanegaonkar’s home in Hythe Kent, very near the English Chaneel. On every occasion since we started the Ganesh festival here in London, Dr and Dr (Mrs) Kanegaokar kindly host a puja prior to the visarjan ceremony at their home.

Following the puja and ceremonies, we ‘invited’ Lord Ganesha to bless our homes once again next year. A boat had been organised to convey Lord Ganesha to his watery abode, accompanied by a number of our youngsters. To shouts of "Ganapati Baapa Maurya", our Murti was lowered into the seas.

The boat having returned to our shores, we returned to the Kanegaonkars’ home to complete the day with ‘Maha-Prasad’ and a kirtan (or lecture) on the Bhagwad Geeta given by Mrs. Mishra.

On behalf of all of our community, we would like to thank all of you who take part in making the Ganesh festival a success each year. We would like also to thank Govind and Viju Kanegaonkar for their kind generosity and hospitality for organising the Visarjan ceremony, which is an integral part of our celebrations, this year and every year.