INDIA: “Ganpati Bappa Maurya!” These words are echoing everywhere these days as it’s that time of the year again to welcome Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganpati), the modak-eating, laddu-loving elephant God.
In Maharashtra, especially, the festivities are in full swing as the state celebrates the International Ganesh Festival organized by Maharashtra Tourism.
The city is adorned with colorful lights, and the sound of dhols (drums) reverberates at every nook and corner. If you’re in Pune, you can visit five of the most beautiful Ganesha pandals: Dagdusheth Ganapati, Tulshibaug Ganpati, Kasaba Ganpati, Jogeshwari Ganpati, and Kesariwada Ganpati. Let’s take a closer look at two main Ganpati pandals:
Dagdusheth Ganpati darshan
The trustee of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, Mr. Suryavanshi, shared the story of Dagdusheth. He was a halwai (sweet maker) and a wrestler who migrated from Karnataka to Pune and started a successful sweet shop.
During the 19th century, Pune faced a plague, and he tragically lost his only son to it. Soon after, he also passed away, leaving his wife Lakshmibai in profound grief. She sought solace from her Guru, who advised her to build temples, leading to the creation of this temple.
The public Ganesha Utsav was initiated by Lokmanya Tilak in 1894. The present idol in the temple is made of silver, adorned with 60,000 diamonds and emeralds on its forehead. It took nearly 60,000 hours to craft this idol, which is insured for over a million crore rupees.
Dagdusheth Ganpati is not immersed during the Ganpati festival; instead, a smaller Ganpati idol is immersed. Every year, the Ganpati festival is celebrated with deep faith, not only by Dagdusheth’s family but by the entire city of Pune.
During the immersion procession, the five ‘Manacha Ganpati’ idols and Shreemanth Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati are immersed with the accompaniment of dhols (drums) and tashes (cymbals).
The pandal is constructed using fiber and features intricate designs, with 16 main pillars and 60 additional pillars on the sides, each depicting key events from the Ramayana. The pandal itself is modeled after the under-construction Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, complete with a representation of the Ram Setu. Additionally, 20 statues of Lord Hanuman, holding a stone, are erected.
Tulsibaug Ganpati pandal
Tulshibaug Ganpati Mandir holds great historical and cultural significance. According to legend, in the 18th century, a Brahmin named Tulsiram Patwardhan discovered a Ganesha idol while plowing his field in the Tulshibaug area.
He decided to build a temple there, which was later renovated in the 20th century, blending traditional and Hemadpanti architectural styles.
Tulshibaug Ganpati, known as ‘Manacha Chowtha Ganpati,’ stands at an impressive thirteen feet tall and is adorned with silver jewelry from head to toe. This idol has been a reason for the flourishing businesses of shopkeepers in Tulshibaug for years.
Established in 1901, it’s the fourth most revered Ganpati in town. With its vibrant and creative decorations that change annually, covering themes from mythological tales to contemporary social issues, this pandal is a must-visit during Ganesh Chaturthi.
With almost 2 crore (20 million) people visiting these pandals, the Ganpati Festival in Maharashtra is not just a celebration but an embodiment of hope, faith, and prosperity.
Also Read: Thai Devotees Join Mumbai’s Vibrant Ganeshotsav Celebration
