Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations took an unusual turn at India’s Maitri research station in Antarctica, where scientists created a Bappa idol using snow. Researchers from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) came together to mark the festival thousands of kilometres away from home.
The group performed aarti, carried out the visarjan and later enjoyed modaks as part of the celebrations. A glimpse of the unique celebration was shared on Instagram by Anirudh Dhar, a doctor stationed at Maitri.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Antarctica
In the video, the group can be seen shaping snow into an idol of Lord Ganesha before beginning the festivities. The scientists then perform aarti around the snow Bappa and carry the idol for visarjan.
(Also Read: Bengaluru CEO praises Bittu Tabahi, offers to raise funds for his cleanliness work)
The caption read, “Taking ‘eco-friendly immersion’ to a whole new extreme, 15,000 km away from home. Our handmade snow Bappa is about as sustainable as it can get. Ganpati Bappa Morya! All credits to Arvind Hosalkar and Kartik P. for making the snow idol.”
The clip also shows the scientists enjoying modaks after the celebrations, adding a festive touch to the gathering at the research station.
{{/usCountry}}The clip also shows the scientists enjoying modaks after the celebrations, adding a festive touch to the gathering at the research station.
{{/usCountry}}Check out the full video below:
How did social media react?
The unusual Ganesh Chaturthi celebration quickly drew reactions from Instagram users, with many calling the snow idol unique and praising the group for celebrating the festival in such harsh conditions.
One user wrote, “Coolest Ganeshji I’ve ever seen.”
“This is magnificent, OMG,” another person commented.
“What a treat for the eyes. Excellent. Ganpati Bappa Morya,” read another comment.
“Unique indeed! Blessed too,” another user said.
One person wrote, “Never thought I’d get to see Ganpati celebration in Antarctica. Amazing.”
“Literally the coolest Ganpati,” another comment read.
“Super adorable visarjan. It needs true devotion for such pooja in harsh conditions,” a user commented.
Another person wrote, “May Bappa shower you all with blessings. Your faith and devotion is touching.”
“Beautiful, and you all even had actual icing on top of the prasad modaks,” another user wrote.