As Bhopal enters the final phase of Ganesh Utsav, Dhol Gyaras marks beginning of idol immersions, with around 30 per cent of Ganpati idols set to be immersed on Wednesday. Preparations are in full swing across major immersion ghats, with security, lighting, barricading and volunteer support being streamlined to manage the mammoth crowd. The day holds both religious and cultural significance and the atmosphere is already surging with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya as grand processions gear up to hit the roads. One of the most awaited events of the day is the procession of Bhopal ke Raja, the iconic tableau from Peepal Chowk.

 

This magnificent tableau begins its procession at around 12 noon, covering a ceremonial route through Lakherapura Somwara, Peer Gate Chauraha, Moti Masjid, Char Patti Chauraha, and other significant stretches of the old city, before reaching Khatlapura Ghat for immersion by around 7 pm. The entire journey resembles a city parade—vibrant with dhols, decorative lights, traditional dance troupes, and thousands of devotees walking alongside. Besides Raja tableau, several other Ganesh idols from different colonies and areas will also begin their immersion processions on Wednesday, many of which follow traditional immersion route through old Bhopal. From compact hand-drawn carts to towering, mechanically operated floats, these tableaux display immense artistic effort and devotion, each narrating a unique theme or social message.

 

Adding to the spiritual grandeur, Dhol Gyaras is also celebrated as Jal-Jhulni Ekadashi, a significant day in the worship of Lord Krishna. According to mythology, this is the day when Mother Yashoda is believed to have performed the first puja of child Krishna, shortly after his birth. In many parts of India, especially in temples and Vaishnav households, Lord Krishna is placed in a decorated palanquin and taken out in symbolic processions. Devotees observe fasts, sing bhajans, and perform rituals with great enthusiasm, seeking blessings of Lord Vishnu. The day is said to carry immense spiritual merit, believed to absolve past sins and bestow peace and prosperity.

 

With the immersion processions set to begin and festivities reaching their peak, Bhopal is all set to witness one of the most vibrant and emotionally charged days of the Ganesh Utsav calendar. The grandeur of the processions, the faith of the devotees, and the city’s cultural unity come alive on Dhol Gyaras—a day that blends devotion, tradition, and celebration in equal measure.