Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Immersion

This afternoon Monday 28 August 2017—Ganesh 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 slope—to the relief of carrying lads

In He goes—a 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

 

 

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.

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Making Moulded Clay Idols

As well as statues of Lord Ganesha made from synthetic materials and hand sculpted one—traditional clay moulded statues of the Lord were available for the 2017 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival. 

Devotees bring their own bench from home to carry their personaly created Lord back to their home and Puja Room. 

Throughout the City, large mounds of clay on the streets waiting to be used in the creation of moulded Lord Ganesha statues

Taking the back mould off the statue

Tidying and cleaning after taking off moulds

The above gent had a large crowd of Ganesha devotees around him throughout the day, eager to purchase one of the moulded statue he made. 

This particular man (who is local and well know) is a successful businessman who loves to serve the Lord. Wonderful smile. He looks so happy playing with the clay.

His son and wife working with him the whole day creating moulded Lord Ganesha statues

The mould fully encompasing the clay

Front mould taken off the statue

Handing statue to his son to complete the work

Taking the back mould off  from the Lord Ganesha statue

Finishing off the back of the Lord Ganesha statue

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Hand Sculpted Lord Ganesha Statues

During the 2016 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival, we saw only one artisan creating hand sculpted statues of Lord Ganesha on the streets of Tiruvannamalai. But this year there has been a veritable profusion of able artisans crafting beautiful hand made statues of Lord Ganesha. 

The statues below took between 45 mins to an hour to create. The cost came to about 3 times that of the moulded variety of Lord Ganesha, but were popular and there was no lack of devotees eager to purchase these special statues.

This is my favourite statue. Looks like a child reaching out to its parent. Very sweet!!

I love you Mama! Pick me up, I want a hug.

Notice the mouse in-between the statues legs

This year a profusion of artisans on the streets of Tiruvannamalai

Great to see so many young artisans doing this work

Lovely detail on some of the statues

Many villagers from outlying areas have come to Tiruvannamalai for the 2017 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival preparations

Finishing off a statue