visarjan

Visarjan, from the Sanskrit visarjana meaning immersion or dissolution, is a Hindu ritual practice involving the immersion of an idol or image of a deity in water. It marks the conclusion of a festival or observance and symbolically represents the deity's return to the divine realm and the cycle of creation and dissolution. The term is used across India, with variations tied to local traditions and regional festivals such as Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi.

During Durga Puja, the goddess's clay idols are honored for several days and then carried in processions to rivers, seas, or artificial tanks for immersion on Dashami. In Ganesh Chaturthi, large public and private celebrations culminate in Ganpati Visarjan, where images of Ganesh are brought to water bodies amid music, prayers, and chants. Immersion may take place in organized public sites or in natural water bodies, depending on local regulations and customs.

Environmental concerns have led to reforms in recent years. Eco-friendly practices favor clay idols, natural pigments, and reduced use of plaster of Paris or synthetic paints to minimize water pollution. Many municipalities provide designated immersion tanks or promote home immersion of locally produced, biodegradable idols. Visarjan remains a culturally significant ritual, balancing religious devotion with regard for ecological and civic considerations.