Why Lord Ganesha idol is immersed in water: Reasons behind Ganesh Immersion or Visarjan

Why Ganesh visarjan is performed? Why Lord Ganesh is immersed in water after Ganesh Utsav? Ganesh immersion, also known as Ganesh Jala nimajjan, is the most beautiful event of this festival. About the immersion reasons and factors, it is the perplexing question to answer.

There are some reasons related to both the Sanatana Hindu dharma and the environment. As per many Hindu scriptures, the clay idols of any God (we usually see the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga) should be immersed after performing puja and worshipping for certain period.
But nowadays the idols of Plaster of Paris are also immersed in water. We should immerse only the clay idols in water and not the idols made of other hazardous material like POP and other harmful chemicals.
There is another version of story Ganesh immersion and Durga Visarjan. To reserve fresh water of rainy season in ponds, lakes, tanks, and other water bodies, we need to dig out the old clay or soil in them. To show the accordance between environmental awareness and Hindu rituals, Ganesh idols are prepared with clay of tanks and ponds. But why the clay idols are immersed in the same water from where the artisans picked out the clay? The clay idol is worshipped with turmeric and some other natural herbs during the Ganpati Navratri. The herbal characters of these materials help the water animals like fish, tortoise, etc to grow well.
On the first day of Ganesh Utsav festival (Ganesh Chaturthi), Ganesh idol is installed in Mandap or houses. Installation of an idol is nothing but ‘Prana Prathista’ and ‘avahan’ of the particular God in to that. It symbolizes that Lord Ganesh is there in the idol during the festival and receiving our prayers, chants, and nivedanas. Other than her mother ‘Bhu mata’ (Mother Earth – Bhudevi is none other than Goddess Shakti), no one can bear the power and energy of Ganesha after Ganpati Navratri festival and to symbolize his udwasan (farewell) Ganesha idol is immersed in water. Thus, he goes back to his heavenly abode.
Ganesh festival is not only a Hindu ritual but also reminds us the protection of environment. As per the scriptures and traditions only clay idols are to be worshipped and immersed in water. Those who celebrate Ganesh festival in eco friendly manner and those who avoid immersion of eco-harmful and eco-hazardous material in water would be blessed with better health and better environment.
This is reply to a query posted by N V Bala – “Why Lord Ganesh is immersed – what is the significance of lord Ganesh being immersed?