One of the most significant Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi, commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva's son. It is further known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and is observed annually for 10 days. The event, which is observed with love, dedication, prayers, and pleasure, occurs during the Hindu calendar's Bhadra month.
People organise this celebration to ask Lord Ganesha, the god of prosperity, money, knowledge, and wisdom, for his blessings. Most states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesh Chaturthi was first started in Pune, a Maharashtra city. The most anticipated event is drawing near, and the typically unhurried city has begun bustling to greet its beloved Lord Ganesh. Everywhere you turn, a Ganpati puja pandal is being built, and villagers are flocking to the booths selling exquisite Ganesh murtis. Enter the markets to locate every store offering décor items, and go down any street to hear the rhythm of the dhol tasha in the distance. When Ganesh Chaturthi arrives, head to one of these 5 well-known Ganesh mandals in Pune to celebrate the event properly.
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1. Shree Kasba Ganapati Mandal:
The patron god of Punawadi, or Pune, is Shri Kasba Ganpati. In 1893, the Ganesh mandal was founded. The fact that there are enormous lines to ask for his blessings is not surprising given that he is known as "Manacha Pahila Ganpati," or the first recognised Ganpati. Through the years, the mandal has built a reputation for organising cultural and social events. The mandal reproduced a wada setup the previous year and screened a brief video on the mandal's history.
Address: 159, Kasba Peth Rd, Durvankur Society, Phadke Haud, Kasba Peth, Pune
2. Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati:
Lokmanya Gangadhar Tilak revered Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati as "Dusra Manacha Ganpati," or the second respected Ganpati of Pune. The founding of this mandal dates back to 1893 as well. The Tambdi Jogeshwari temple, which dates back to the 15th century, is located just next to the Ganesh puja pandal. Additionally, this mandal runs a variety of cultural and social initiatives for the benefit of society. A sizable audience visited the Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati pandal last year to admire the artistic tortoise that had been inserted inside Ganesha's silver temple.
The majority of the devotees participating in the procession at the Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganesh Mandal are women, and this practise has persisted since the Peshwa era. Even now, groups of women take part in the mandal's parade, when they pull off tricks like horseback riding and sword fighting.
Address: 33 (A), Budhwar Peth Rd, Budhwar Peth, Pune
3. Tulsi Baug Ganpati:
The Tulshibaug Ganpati statue, which is 15 feet tall and covered in 125 kg of silver, is the biggest in Pune. In 1901, the Tulshi Baug Ram Mandir was established. It is known as "Manacha Chautha Ganpati," or the fourth most revered Ganpati in Pune. The mandal has the distinction of creating the first statue made of glass fibre in 1975. You cannot help but bow to the artist D. S. Khatawkar who has been embellishing the idol for years while admiring its mesmerising appearance. The massive garud (eagle) carriage used to transport the murti during the immersion ceremony last year made the mandal the centre of attention.
Address: Tulsibaug, Budhwar Peth, Pune
4. Bhau Rangari:
The oldest sarvajanik (public) mandal in India was established in 1892 by Bhausaheb Laxman Javale, often known as Bhau Rangari. During the British Raj, the mandal was established to serve as a central gathering place for rebels. The mandal's statue depicts a fierce Ganesha slaying a monster, which in earlier times represented the British. Last year, the mandal unveiled a three-foot-tall eco-friendly paper pulp idol.
Address: 662, 657, Bhau Rangari Road, Budhwar Peth, Pune
5. Akhil Navi Peth Hatti Ganpati Mandal:
Digambar Balgude and Tukaram Chavan formed the Akhil Navi Peth Hatti Ganpati Mandal in 1923. Since then, the mandal has been fighting to make society a better place. Through its well-known Ganpati "dekhava," it has been primarily conveying social reformation messages (scene). The idol depicts Lord Ganesha killing a tiger bravely while perched atop an elephant. After 125 years, the Ganpati pandal was decorated to resemble a Ganesh mahal. With the dhol tasha pathak (troupe) leading, the first and final day parade of Akhil Navi Peth Hatti Ganpati Mandal is a joy to observe.
Address: 1159, Hatti Ganpati Road, Pantancha Gate, Sadashiv Peth, Pune.
