Indian Scientists Sculpt Snow Ganesha at Antarctica’s Research Base, Conduct Indoor Visarjan

A group of Indian scientists stationed at an Indian Antarctic research outpost recently fashioned a life‑size snow statue of Lord Ganesha, the elephant‑headed deity revered across India. The sculpture was built on the snow‑covered grounds of the base using compacted snow and simple tools, turning the icy landscape into a temporary shrine.

After the statue was completed, the team gathered inside the station’s communal hall to perform a Visarjan – the ritual immersion of the deity’s idol – using a small water‑filled basin. The indoor ceremony allowed the scientists to observe the traditional rite despite the extreme cold and the absence of natural water bodies.

The event was described by the participants as a morale‑boosting gesture that reinforced cultural ties while they carry out scientific work far from home. Officials of the Indian Antarctic Programme noted that such cultural activities help maintain a sense of community among the crew during long, isolated deployments.

The snow Ganesha and its indoor Visarjan underscore the unique blend of scientific endeavour and cultural heritage that characterises India’s presence in Antarctica, highlighting both national pride and the human side of polar research.