Why some families do aarti again after immersing Ganpati idol
After immersing the Ganpati idol, many households perform another aarti at home, a practice rooted in faith and gratitude
After taking Ganpati Bappa for immersion, devotees in many homes follow an old tradition of performing another aarti once they return. Along with religious faith, this act after bidding farewell to Bappa is also believed to be linked to keeping a positive atmosphere in the home and expressing gratitude.
Immersion means bidding an emotional farewell to Bappa. After performing puja and aarti at the immersion site, when devotees return home, in some places an aarti is performed again in the home shrine or in front of the clay idol of Bappa. This practice is not the same in every home; it varies according to family and region.
During Ganeshotsav, Bappa is worshipped daily with puja, aarti and offerings of food. The aarti performed after returning home from immersion is believed to be an expression of thanks for the days Bappa spent in the house and for the festival being completed without any obstruction.
In some families, after the idol is taken out of the house for immersion, on returning home an aarti is performed before the other deities present in the home shrine. This is also seen as a signal for resuming the household's daily worship.
According to religious belief, mantras and stotras are recited and a bell is rung during the aarti, which is believed to bring peace of mind and fill the home with a devotional atmosphere.
Devotees also hold the feeling that after immersion, Bappa has returned to his true abode. Therefore, while performing the aarti at home, prayers are offered again for Bappa's return and for him to come early next year.
It is not necessary that every family follows the practice of performing an aarti at home after immersion. In some places the last aarti is performed at the immersion site itself, while in some families the tradition is to perform the aarti at the home shrine after returning. This means the practice can vary according to local and family custom.
This aarti after immersion is considered not merely a religious ritual but a symbol of devotion, gratitude and the emotional bond with Bappa. It is also seen as a way of maintaining a sense of devotion and positivity in the home even after Ganeshotsav ends.
