Pune: The Ganesh mandals in the city are ready to welcome Lord Ganesh, set to arrive on Monday morning this year.
The festivities in the city will start with the procession of the first revered (manacha) Ganesh of Pune, Kasba Ganapati. The procession will begin at 8:20 am at Kasba Ganesh pandal, and the idol would be consecrated at 11:40 am. This is the 127th year of Kasba Ganesh Festival.
While Bhau Rangari Ganpati Trust has been in controversy for the past couple of years, Sambhaji Bhide of Shri Shivpratishthan Hindusthan would be consecrating the Ganesh idol for the Trust this time. While Lokmanya Tilak was lauded for giving public form to the Festival in the state, Trust activists had alleged that it was Bhau Rangari, who was responsible for pioneering the tradition.
While many Right-wing organisations had opposed this, it is quite special that Bhide would be participating in the celebration with the Trust this year.
Also, in order to encourage people to buy eco-friendly shadu Ganesh idols, Grahak Peth had offered a special reward this year. “This year, we released a lucky draw for the people who had booked Ganesh idols with us between August 15 and 30. We selected 101 lucky winners, who would get an opportunity to perform ‘Abhishek’ (worship) of Lord Ganesh at Sarasbaug Ganesh temple from September 3, till the last day,” Suryakant Pathak said.
Renowned for its unique and grand decorations every year, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust has replicated Konark Sun Temple this year. The temple will be inaugurated at the hands of Vishwatmak Om Gurudev Janglidas Maharaj at 7 pm on Monday.
