Ganesh immersion procession to begin on Laxmi Rd at 9.30am

Traditionally, the five most revered and historically significant Ganesh idols in Pune, which form the Manache Ganpati, start the Ganesh immersion procession on Laxmi Road.

The Manache Ganpati refers to the five most revered and historically significant Ganesh idols in Pune, which are given precedence during the main Ganesh festival’s immersion procession in the city.

The five Manache Ganpati include Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati, Guruji Talim Ganpati, Tulshibaug Ganpati, and Kesari Wada Ganpati.

Every year, Kasba Ganpati begins the immersion procession. Later other Ganesh Mandals join the immersion routes on Laxmi Road, Kelkar Road, Tilak Road and Kumthekar Road in Pune, a sequence that has been followed for several years.

However, this year, some Ganesh mandals in the city had expressed they will start the immersion procession at 7 am. They even sought permission from Pune City police to start their immersion procession before the Manache Ganpati.

These mandals had claimed delays were caused by the Manache Ganpati’s immersion procession and as a result, they were left waiting on the procession routes till late night.

In addition, the prestigious Bhau Rangari Ganesh Mandal and Mandai Ganpati Mandal wanted to change their timings of joining the immersion procession route on Laxmi road.

This would have changed the old tradition of the Manache Ganpati starting the Ganesh immersion procession in Pune. It led to a dispute between the Manache Ganpati and other Ganesh Mandals. Pune City Police held meetings with office bearers of the Ganesh Mandals and appealed to them to resolve the dispute.

On Thursday, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar conducted a meeting with Ganesh Mandal authorities. During the meeting, office bearers of Bhau Rangari Ganesh Mandal and Mandai Ganpati Mandal agreed to join the immersion procession as per the sequence followed every year.

Meanwhile, Pune MP and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol along with BJP MLA Hemant Rasane conducted a meeting with Ganesh Mandals on Friday. After a discussion, it was decided that Kasba Ganpati, which was the first “Manacha Ganpati”, would start the Ganesh immersion procession this year an hour before, around 9.30 am. It was also decided that steps will be taken — such as restricting the number of Dhol Tasha groups and not having the stationary performances by them along the main procession routes — to reduce delays in the procession.
Manache Ganpati mandals will conclude their idol immersion procession earlier this year.

Mandals with illuminated decorations will join the procession routes after 7 pm. The famous Dagadushet Halwai Ganpati Mandal, known for its chariot decorated with colourful lights, would join the immersion procession route on Laxmi road at 4 am.

Mohol said, “Ganesh Festival in Pune is known to people across the world. There were some differences in opinions, but no disputes between Ganesh Mandals in the city. The issues have been solved through discussions.”

The prize distribution ceremony for the Adarsh Ganesh Utsav Competition 2024 organised by Pune city police and Vighnaharta Nyas was held on Friday at the Shivajinagar police headquarters.

On the occasion, Amitesh Kumar appealed to the mandals in Pune to celebrate the coming Ganesh Festival with full enthusiasm, but ensure that law and order is maintained properly.

The state government recently declared ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’ as the state festival. Pune City Police’s band will also participate in the festival. The police band will perform before the Manache Ganpati and other prominent mandals in the city.