Amravati, 19

Sept (HS): Ganeshotsav has been celebrated at Guru Gangadhar Swami Vir Shaivite

Math in Nerpinglai in Amravati district since 885 CE, 963 CE. Devotees from far

come here to witness Ganeshotsav. Some devotees trek from the immersion site to

the Mutt, a distance of about one and a half kilometers. This tradition

continues to this day. Ganeshotsav at the Math has a tradition of 1062 years.

The date of the establishment of Sri Guru Gangadhar

Swami Math is inscribed on the entrance gate. After the revolution in the

twelfth century, all dispersed to other parts of the country. While Sharanai

was staying here with her children, Balabasava suddenly disappeared. They

offered prayers to Lord Ganesha for his return and Balabasava came running and

surrendered. It was the day of Ganesh Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapada. It

was then that Sri Ganesha began to be installed in the Math.

The ritual mud is

kept even today at the same place where Sharanai installed Ganesha. Ritualistic

Kashi Khand rites are performed on this soil. The clay is then transported to

the sculptor in Amaravati to be sculpted. The idol is four feet tall. During

Ganeshotsav, various religious as well as social activities are carried out for

ten days. Devotees attend the aarti at the Mutt every day.

Apart from the Math, there are over forty public

Ganesh mandals in the village. The Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) ceremony here is

attended by a large number of devotees. The Ganesha immersion procession has

the Ganapati of the Math on the fore front in the procession, followed by

others. The procession includes drums, bhajani (devotional songs) troupes and

public themed scenes. Meals are arranged for the devotees under the supervision of the present head of the Math.

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar