The ten-day Ganesh Festival culminates with immersion rituals known as Ganesh Visarjan, taking place on Anant Chaturdashi, September 6. Devotees across India and internationally participate in these ceremonies to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. A viral video from the United Kingdom, shared by user Sandeep Anthwal, has garnered over 1.6 million views on Instagram. It features devotees in traditional attire transporting their Ganesh idols on a boat before immersing them in a river.
During the ceremony, swans were observed swimming near the idols as they were submerged. The event has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users celebrated it as a vibrant showcase of Indian culture abroad, others expressed concerns about pollution and its impact on aquatic life. Suggestions have been made advocating for the use of food-grade materials for idols to minimize environmental effects.
The ceremonies mark the end of the ten-day celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.