Immersion

The Ganpati festival lasts 11 days. During those 11 days, certain days are designated as immersion days–days that people can take their Ganeshas to the nearest body of water and dunk them, leaving them there in the water. The Ramola family kept their Ganesha in the house for 1.5 days. Then it was time for the immersion. Harish invited us to come watch the day’s proceedings. The photos below chronicle the action.

The traditional Maharashtran band, all the way from Pune

The afternoon started at about 3:30 pm in the neighbourhood, on the dead-end street where the boys always play football, with a band dancing and drumming. A crowd began to gather.

Bang on de drum all day

After watching the band with us for a while, Harish disappeared momentarily. Then we saw him reappear at the entrance of the passage down which his family home is located, holding the family’s Ganesha.

Hari waits and the massive procession begins

Harish stopped here, waiting, while band began to reposition themselves in front of him. The people all started following the band. Then he began walking forward. The drums started up, the people crowded around, and the procession began.

The procession makes its way through the neighbourhood

They only needed to walk a short distance before they reached the big truck that Harish’s family and the other family had rented together for the occasion. The band moved to the front of the lorry, playing the whole time, while the crowd surrounded them.

Baru lifts the Ganeshas into the back of the lorry

With the Ganeshas in the lorry, the procession started back up again with the band in front. It proceeded through the neighbourhood street out to the main road.

The parade continues through the street

Ratatatat

The women and girls danced in their own group directly in front of the lorry, while the men danced in front of the band.

Dancing in front of the truck carrying the Ganeshas

Onlookers

A festival photo

When the procession hit the main road, it caused a momentary traffic stoppage. Even people who normally go berserk in traffic jams are pretty understanding during festival time. After progressing along the main road for a short distance, the procession finally stopped and the band packed up. Then people from the procession started getting into the truck.

Sujit is ready for the ride to Juhu, sitting on top of the lorry

The younger guys and those more adventurous got seats on top of the truck’s cab.

Everyone else piles into the back of the lorry

Once all the friends and family members (from the two families who had shared the cost of renting the truck) had piled into the back, the loaded-down lorry began its trip to Juhu beach.

Riding to Juhu

Arrival and unloading at Juhu Beach

Upon arrival at Juhu, everyone got out and the Ganeshas were unloaded. The scene was pretty crazy. Thousands of people were there, all for the same purpose.

All shapes and sizes

Preparing for the final pooja

Getting some mehndi at the beach

Red prayer

At the beach, a final pooja (religious ceremony) is performed before the Ganeshas are carried into the water and immersed.

Final pooja on Juhu beach before immersion

Final pooja before immersion

When the Ramola family completed their pooja, Harish lifted the Ganesha atop his head and began the long walk from the beach across the tidal plane into the ocean. Everyone else in the family followed him.

Hari hoists the Ganesha

Low tide: everyone follows the Ganesha on its final trip

When Harish finally reached the water, he waded in all the way up to his neck and then deposited the Ganesha in the ocean, never to return. The immersion was finished. The fun at Juhu Beach continued long into the night as many more families came to immerse their Ganeshas.