This year, we embarked on a unique journey by incorporating eco-friendly practices into our Ganesh Utsav celebrations. Through our three-day journey, devotion, tradition and environmental consciousness merged seamlessly.
Day 1: Ganpati Sthapna (19 September) –We commenced our festivities with the Sthapna ceremony of Lord Ganpati, between 12 noon and 1.30 pm. Opting for an eco-friendly Ganpati celebration, natural flowers adorned our altar with a chunni serving as a beautiful backdrop.
In the evening, friends and family gathered once again to partake in another spiritually enriching bhajan session. The melodies resonated through our hearts as Chandra Shekhar and his talented group sang beautiful bhajans. Madhavi, Sonu Rathore, Ruchika Jain and Divya Mehta also filled the air with devotional tunes along with Rimpa Malik and Manju Gupta’s devotional dance.
After the evening bhajan session, we organized a Satvik dinner that tantalized the taste buds and nourished the soul. Our homemade feast included a delectable spread featuring aloo sabzi, gobi matar, paneer, dahi bhalla, kheer, halwa from Anupama, and churma ladoo, along with paranthas and a special saboot dana khichdi crafted by Sonali. To add to the health and vibrancy of the meal, we offered a variety of prasad and fresh fruits that people savoured with joy.
Day 2: We sang 5–6 devotional bhajans and performed the Arti twice to accommodate the growing number of devotees who came for Darshan. Everyone had the opportunity to receive Lord Ganpati’s blessings. Additionally, prasad was thoughtfully distributed to the maintenance staff and housekeeping to share the divine joy.
Day 3: Eco-Friendly Visarjan – Our commitment to eco-friendliness extended to every aspect of our celebration. At the time for Visarjan, the immersion of the idol, a select group of friends and family joined us for this heartfelt farewell. We sang a few bhajans, and in a touching ritual, applied ghee in Lord Ganpati’s eyes as a symbol of our gratitude and affection. With an offering of Dahi bhog, we carried Ganpati to our terrace for the Visarjan.
For the immersion, we used a plastic tub that allowed the idol to dissolve gently in the water. In just 15 minutes, the mud had dissolved, and the water, now sanctified by Lord Ganpati’s presence, was lovingly distributed to nourish the plants in our surroundings.
A Greener Ganesh Utsav! Our celebration embodied the essence of Ganesh Utsav, blending tradition with a deep commitment to preserving our environment. We believe this is the best way to celebrate the festival – by harmonizing our spiritual traditions with our responsibility to protect the planet. Hope that our eco-friendly practices inspire others to follow suit, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for all. Ganpati Bappa Morya!
