Anant Chaturdashi is the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav. On this day, people travel to the waterfront with the idols, large and small, dancing and singing in large processions.
The 14th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad is the day of the immersion of Ganpati. On this day some people observe a vow in honour of Vishnu, which if kept for 14 years is supposed to bring wealth. On this day, the festival of Ganpati comes to an end, the installed Murti's of Lord Ganpati are taken to a lake, river or a sea in great processions to be immersed in the waters.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. The idol is anointed with red unguent Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. These also serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days of the festival.
