On August 28, 2014, in Mumbai, India, the grand finale of one of the country’s largest religious festivals — Ganesh Chaturthi — took place. A 39-meter-tall idol of Lord Ganesha, the largest in the festival’s history, was ceremoniously immersed in the Arabian Sea at Marine Drive. The event drew over 500,000 spectators.
What Is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual Hindu festival honoring Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and obstacle removal. The festival lasts 10 days (not 15) and begins on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month in the lunar calendar (August–September).
Traditionally, families and communities install Ganesha idols at home or in public pandals (temporary pavilions), perform prayers and rituals, and conclude with the immersion of the idol in water, symbolizing the deity’s return to the divine realm.
The Record-Breaking 2014 Idol
The 2014 idol was crafted by a team of 250 artisans over three months. It weighed approximately 100 tons, with a fiberglass and steel frame. It was made using eco-friendly, biodegradable materials instead of plaster and toxic paints, sending a message of environmental awareness: “Let Ganesha return to nature.”
Traditions and Taboos
During the festival, several traditions are observed:
- Viewing the moon on the first day is forbidden — it’s considered inauspicious (a legend says the moon mocked Ganesha).
- Parades, carnivals, and drum processions accompany the celebrations.
- The festival ends with mass immersion and fireworks.
What About Thailand?
In Thailand, Ganesh Chaturthi is not a major public festival. Small ceremonies are held at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Bangkok’s Silom district, primarily by the Indian diaspora. Buddhists do not celebrate this day as a religious event.
Tourists can visit the temple, see a small Ganesha statue, and buy souvenirs, but there are no large parades, 39-meter idols, or sea immersions in Pattaya or elsewhere.
Conclusion
The immersion of the 39-meter Ganesha idol took place on August 28, 2014, in Mumbai, India. It was a one-of-a-kind event, never replicated in Thailand or other countries. While Ganesha (known as Phra Phikanet in Thai) is respected in Thailand, large-scale festivals in his honor are not held.
Sources:
— The Times of India: «Giant Ganesh idol immersion at Marine Drive», August 28, 2014
— Hindustan Times: «130-ft Ganesh idol to be immersed today», 2014
— BBC News: «Ganesh Chaturthi: The festival of the elephant-headed god»
— Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bangkok: Official website
— Tourism Authority of Thailand: «Religious Events in Thailand»
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