Celebrating festivals thousands of kilometres away from home can be challenging, but a group of Indian scientists stationed in Antarctica found a unique way to mark Ganesh Chaturthi. At Maitri Station,
the team created their own Lord Ganesha idol using snow and celebrated the festival amid the icy landscape.
An Instagram video shared by Anirudh Dhar, who works with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), captured the special celebration at the Indian research station.
Snow Idol Of Lord Ganesha At Maitri Station
The video began with glimpses of Maitri Station before showing the scientists using the snow surrounding them to create a handmade idol of Lord Ganesha.
The snow sculpture was carefully shaped and decorated with a garland and small flowers, giving it a traditional festive appearance despite the unusual setting. The group then gathered to perform the Ganesh Chaturthi rituals inside the station.
The scientists were seen participating in the pooja together, bringing the familiar sounds and traditions of the festival to India's research outpost in Antarctica.
Ganpati Bappa Morya Chants Echo In Antarctica
As part of the celebrations, the team also carried out the visarjan ritual. The scientists could be heard enthusiastically chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya” as they prayed, clapped and celebrated together.
The festive gathering offered the researchers a brief connection to traditions back home while they continued their work in one of the world's most remote environments.
The celebrations did not end with the rituals. The scientists later sat together and enjoyed handmade modaks, adding another quintessential element of Ganesh Chaturthi to their Antarctic festivities.
