28 August 2017

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Immersion



This afternoon Monday 28 August 2017Ganesh immersion took place at a number of tanks and theerthams at Tiruvannamalai. The photographs below are of immersions at the Tamari Nagar Tank, located at the heart of Tiruvannamalai. 

To reduce a bottleneck of statues waiting for immersion, authorities issued time-stamp tokens to devotees (in charge of individual statues), asking them to present themselves at the tank at an appointed time.

For smaller statues, a group of lads carried the idols down the slopes of the tank. For larger statues, a crane was used to lower statues into the water.



Tamari Nagar, one of the largest tanks at Tiruvannamalai

The Mandapams at opposite sides of the tank have been renovated

Smaller Ganesha carried by hand up the side of the tank bund

By starting immersions in the afternoon, authorities hoped to reduce the late evening bottleneck of previous years

Lads in the tank ready to receive the Ganesh statue

Smaller statue coming up the slopeto the relief of carrying lads

In He goesa number of statues with paraphernalia have already been immersed in the Tank

A beautifully decorated Ganesha coming up the slope

Bullock cart with Ganesha and two different versions of Ardhanisvara

This year a great variety of types of statues

A big Ganesha needs the crane to help him to the top of the slope

And in He goes!

Two smaller Ganeshas in line for immersion

Easy enough to carry this little fellow into the tank

Another giant Ganesh being attached to the crane winch

Up he goes!

Giving a final darshan for the 2017 Arunachala Ganesha Chaturthi Festival

Awaiting the new arrival, many Ganeshas are already in the Tank  



27 August 2017

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Eco-Friendly Ganesh




How an Eco-Friendly Seed Ganesh is Made


Ecologically-centric NGOs have been distributing and/or selling Ganesh statues (with embedded seeds) in an effort to direct Ganesh devotees to celebrating a more eco-friendly statue immersion.

A seed embedded Ganesh statue made of clay is placed in a container filled with organic soil and other ingredients required for plant growth. In place of statue immersion, water is poured directly onto the Ganesh idol causing the clay of the statue to melt—which results in the embedded seeds being released into the soul and sprouting after a number of days.








A version of Seed Ganesh at Tiruvannamalai 2017


A version of a seeded eco-friendly Ganesh was sold for the first time at Tiruvannamalai during the 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi Festival



Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Pujas and Processions



The below photographs are of various pujas and processions that took place this 2017 Ganesha Chaturthi. 

The first two photographs are of the Arulmigu Sambandha Vinayakar special abhishekam and deeparadhana that took place on Friday 25 August, 2017 at the Sambandha Ganesha Shrine, 3rd Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Photographs numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 below are of Ganesha Chaturthi Puja performed at private homes. 

The remaining photos are of alangarams, pujas and processions of a number of Tiruvannamamalai Temples. 


Puja at Sambandha Vinayakar, Big Temple


Puja on Friday, 25 August 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh puja in private home

Ganesh Puja in Shrine outside Private Home

Photograph showing offerings in front of Private Shrine

Magnificent Ganesh outside Big Temple Priests' homes on Big Street

Decorations outside Ganesha Shrine, Car Street



The below photographs are of the Ganesha puja alangarams and processions of a number of Tiruvannamalai Temples.