The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner and everyone is gearing up to celebrate. It’s a very important festival in Hindu religion and very much celebrated in the Konkan region of India. Hindu households across Goa have already installed idols of Lord Ganesh. Observations include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts such as Ganapati Upanishad, prayers and vrata (fasting). Offerings and prasadam from the daily prayers, that is distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modak believed to be a favorite of the elephant-headed deity. In Goa, idols are usually kept for between 5 – 10 days after which they are taken in procession to a water body and immersed in its depths. Therefore, this year, Drishti lifeguards will be deployed at 42 of Goa’s beaches to help with the immersion of Ganesh idols.
Drishti lifeguards are all set to help with the immersion of idols off Goa’s beaches
Between the 13th and 23rd of September, Drishti will station lifeguards along Goa’s coastline at 42 beaches to assist the public when they come for the immersion ritual. Some of the idols that people keep at home are often extremely large. Therefore, utmost safety and precaution are required at the time of immersing the idols into the sea.
Drishti lifeguards will be on hand at the beaches listed below to assist and aid in practicing a safe immersion ritual. Besides this, Drishti has also offered suggestions on how to remain safe during the immersion celebrations.
As per procedure, Drishti lifeguards will assist devotees in entering the water as well as exiting after the immersion. If there the sea conditions are rough, they will offer to carry these idols into the deeper areas for immersion after the ceremonial puja takes place. There is a request to ensure that immersion takes place at or close to the entry point of the beach as this is where the lifeguards will be stationed. People can also approach the lifeguard towers for assistance as there will be staff on hand after regular working hours on the dates mentioned.
Staying safe during the immersion
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are a family affair. From the rituals and celebrations at home to the immersion, everyone in the house enjoys them. Children even accompany the adults to the beach for the immersion ritual. Therefore, taking this into consideration, it’s definitely imperative that a close eye is kept on the children, ensuring that they do not venture into the water at that time of the night. Additionally, people are cautioned against entering the sea under the influence whether they are a part of the immersion ritual or have just come to watch.
Drishti aims to keep everyone safe during the Ganesh celebrations and will have additional teams along with vehicles on standby at all the beach locations.
Beaches where a team of lifeguards will be deployed all night long between the dates 13th and 23rd September
Baina
Bogmallo
Velsao
Arrosim
Hollant
Majorda
Utorda
Betalbatim
Colva
Sernabatim
Dudhsagar
Benaulim (main beach)
Benaulim (near Taj Exotica hotel)
Varca
Zalor
Cavelossim
Mobor
Betul and Cananguinim
Agonda
Cabo De Rama
Cola
Palolem
Patnem
Rajbagh
Colamb
Galgibagh
Talpona
Polem
Kerim
Arambol
Morjim
Ashwem
Vagator
Anjuna
Baga
Calangute
Candolim
Siquerim
Coco Beach
Miramar
Dona Paula
Shirdona
Information credit
Drishti Marine
ItsGoa/SEPT/KDGP
