Bidding Adieu To Gauri...This Ganeshutsav!

By Nandini Rao

In Maharashtra, the festival of Gauri Ganpati occupies a special place, blending deep-rooted devotion to the divine feminine with the communal essence of local culture. The festival venerates Goddess Gauri, regarded as the mother of Lord Ganesha, and sees her welcomed into homes with utmost reverence. For several days, families offer their prayers to the goddess, culminating in the grand Gauri Visarjan, a ritual that signifies her return to the heavens as her idol is immersed in water.

In 2024, Jyeshtha Gauri Avahana began on the 10th of September, with rituals that call for blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity. Across the state, households come alive with the preparations to host the goddess. The idol of Goddess Gauri was brought into homes, adorned with fresh flowers, traditional attire, and jewellery, while special offerings such as modak and puran poli are made to honour her. What sets this festival apart is the pivotal role played by women, who come together to perform these rituals, fostering a sense of togetherness that transcends generations. The festival serves not only as a spiritual celebration but also as a time to reinforce familial and community bonds.

Gauri idol is adorned with flowers and traditional attire

The festival reached its emotional peak on the 12th of September with the Gauri Visarjan. Processions filled the streets of South Mumbai's Colaba, vibrant with music and dance, as devotees accompany the Gauri to the nearest water body, the immersion spot at Gateway of India for immersion. 

At Raigad, Gauri Visarjan is a festival par excellence. Emotions run high as the devout got their Gauri, complete with a cluster of a particular grass tied and decorated with a  design, coconuts, incense and haldi, kumkum, to their homes, revered her with fondness, before immersing her in a lake in the village.

The moment was a mix of emotions—there was a joy at the culmination of days of worship, yet a tinge of sadness lingered as devotees bid farewell to the goddess. The rituals that accompany the immersion are steeped in tradition, with precise prayers and timing observed to ensure the goddess’s blessings for the following year.

In many homes, Gauri-Ganpati was observed with love and devotion

The preparations for Jyeshtha Gauri Avahana begin days in advance and reflect the joy and commitment of the devotees. "It all starts with the cleansing of the home, symbolising the removal of negativity, and the decoration of the puja area with rangolis, flowers, and bright fabrics, creating an inviting space for the goddess," says Ganesh Murti Nagar's Vaibhav Koli.

On the day of the festival, the idol of Gauri, dressed in traditional attire and adorned with jewellery, is brought home and placed in a beautifully decorated space. "We gather the necessary puja materials—flowers, incense, lamps, fruits, and sweets—along with dishes such as modak and puran poli, which are a key part of the offering," offers wife Vaidehi.

The festival is not just a family affair but also a community event. Married women invite relatives and neighbours to join in the celebrations, reinforcing the communal spirit. These gatherings are filled with rituals, devotional songs, and the sharing of meals, creating an atmosphere of warmth and unity. A grand vegetarian feast, known as Mahaprasad, is prepared, featuring a variety of dishes favoured by the goddess. 

Traditional Gauri puja is still performed in many families across Maharashtra

While some families prefer to prepare the feast themselves, others opt to hire caterers to manage the spread, ensuring that everyone can partake in the celebration. Rituals are performed at auspicious times to maximise the blessings bestowed by the goddess, with great care taken to observe these timings throughout the festival.

The Jyeshtha Gauri Avahana is marked by a series of sacred rituals that seek the blessings of the goddess. The Avahana, or invocation, is the initial ceremony, where the idol is installed on a decorated platform and sacred mantras are chanted to invite the goddess into the home. The Sthapana, or installation, follows, where the idol is bathed with milk, honey, and water in a purification ritual known as Abhishekam. After this, the idol is dressed in vibrant attire, adorned with jewellery, and offerings of fruits and sweets are made. Lamps are lit, and aarti is performed, with the family coming together to sing praises of the goddess. The festival also sees community celebrations, with women gathering to perform the rituals and sing devotional songs, reinforcing the bonds within the community.

After two or three days of worship, the festival concludes with the Visarjan, where the idol is taken in a lively procession for immersion in water. This marks the goddess’s return to her celestial abode, a poignant moment that leaves the devotees both joyous and wistful.

Visarjan in the waters at the Gateway of India

The Sthapana ritual, central to Jyeshtha Gauri Avahana, requires several essential items to ensure its sanctity. The idol of Gauri is the focal point, placed on a chowki or decorated platform. Red or yellow cloth is used to drape the platform and the idol, while fresh flowers, typically red or yellow, are used for decoration and offering. Offerings also include durva grass, coconut, betel leaves, and nuts, symbolising purity and devotion. Incense sticks (agarbatti) and oil lamps (diya) are lit to create a sacred atmosphere, while panchamrit, a mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee, is offered during the puja. Modak and puran poli, traditional sweets favoured by the goddess, are also part of the offerings.

The use of red and yellow cloth in the Sthapana ritual holds special significance. Red symbolises energy, power, and action, reflecting the devotion of the worshippers, while yellow represents purity, peace, and prosperity. Together, these colours strike a balance between worldly duties and spiritual mindfulness, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the rituals.

This meticulous attention to every detail, from the decorations to the culinary offerings, showcases the devotion with which Jyeshtha Gauri Avahana is celebrated. It is a festival that not only honours the divine feminine but also strengthens the familial and communal fabric of Maharashtra.

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