The two things that Punekars are unanimously passionate about are Shivaji, the great Maratha warrior King; and Ganeshotsav, the most widely celebrated festival in the city.Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in August- September to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, loving known as Ganpati one of Hinduism’s most revered gods.
In 1982, revolutionary Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived the festival prilimary to stir patriotic sentiments among the populace. Since then the 10-day Ganeshotsav has been celebrated as a sarvajanik or community festival across the city.
Ganpati idols are set up in over 3,000 mandals across the city.While most mandals are lavishly decorated, others feature tableaux of current affairs. Several undertake charitable work, such as distributing books and clothes among the underprivileged.
At the end of the festival on Anant Chaturthi day, the idols are carried across the city in a ceremonious procession for immersion in the river. Rapturous cries of ‘Ganpati bappa morya, pudhchya warshi laukar ya’ ren the air as thousands of devotes throng the streets to bid farewell to their favorite God.
One of the most high profile idols in the city is the Shrimant Dagaduseth Halwai Ganpati at Budhwar Peth.Its widespread reputation attracts people in ten thousands, including dignitaries and celebrities like superstar Amitabh Bachchan who is believed to have donated gold ear ornaments for the idol.A jeweller donated 8 kilos of gold for the dhoti worn by the idol.
The five oldest and most sacred Ganpati idols of Pune are called Manache Ganpatis.Each over a hundred years old they are venerated by all and a true devotee will bein his tour of the mandals in the city by praying to these five idols. They are also the first five to be immersed at the end of the festival in the following sequence.
- Kasba Ganpati
- Tanbdi Jogeshwari
- Guruji Tamil Ganpati
- Tulsibaug Ganpati
- Kesariwada Ganpati
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