By: Ashwani Mahajan

Hari Om Mandir in Medinah hosted its annual Ganesh Visarjan celebration, bringing together hundreds of devotees from across the Chicagoland area to mark the conclusion of 10 days of prayers and festivities for Ganesh Utsav.

The celebration began with Ganesh Maha Abhishek, devotional Sankalp and Ganpati Aarti led by the temple’s Pandit Ji. Devotees gathered at the mandir to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha, with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” filling the temple grounds.

Children from Kathak Mundi and Hari Om Mandir Bal-Varg added to the program with traditional dance performances and dhol-tasha music. Their performances brought a festive atmosphere to the farewell ceremony while providing younger members of the community an opportunity to participate in the celebration.

The main procession featured a decorated palki carrying the Ganesha idol around the mandir campus as part of the Visarjan Shobha Yatra. Devotees accompanied the procession while singing bhajans, dancing and showering flowers in a traditional farewell to Bappa.

The mandir management also conducted a symbolic and eco-friendly Visarjan as part of its efforts to incorporate environmental responsibility into the religious observance. Devotees offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the community.

Mandir President Vipan Wadhera and Chairman Brij Sharma thanked the volunteers, performers and devotees whose participation contributed to the celebration.

Reflecting on the significance of the farewell, they shared the message: “Bappa’s farewell is not an end, but a promise that He will return next year with even more blessings. Ganpati Bappa Morya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa!”

The celebration concluded with devotees bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha while looking forward to welcoming Bappa again next year.