Vinayaka Nimajjanam, or Ganesh Visarjan, is a tradition that takes place on the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in India. It involves immersing the Ganesha idol in a body of water to symbolize the god's return to his heavenly home. The ritual is accompanied by processions, singing, dancing, and the distribution of prasad and flowers.
Procession
The idol is carried from its installation place to the water body in a procession. The procession may include devotees singing bhajans or songs.
Immersion
The idol is immersed in a river, sea, or lake. If there isn't access to a large body of water, a symbolic immersion can be done at home by dipping the idol in a small vessel or water barrel.
Meaning
The ritual symbolizes Ganesha's return to Mount Kailas, the home of his parents, Shiva and Parvati. It also signifies the birth cycle of Lord Ganesha.
Reasons for immersion
The ritual is also done because the power that suffuses the statue after 10 days of worship is too much for a human to bear. Discarding or breaking the statue would be disrespectful.