Pune’s Ganeshotsav and 5 Manache Ganpati

Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10 day Hindu festival celebrating birth of Ganesh which starts on fourth day of Bhadrapad month of Hindu calendar that falls in the month of August – September of the Gregorian calendar. This year Ganesh Chaturthi was on 13th September.

Every year I ensure to visit 5 Manache Ganpati(respected and honored Ganpati idols) and other mandals( a temporary shed for religious gathering). Here is my account of Ganesh mandals that I visited this year. All these pictures are clicked using OnePlus5 and MotoG3.

Ganesh Utsav was earlier confined to homes of people and palaces of Maharajas. Lokmanya Tilak initiated “Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav” i.e public Ganesh festival to unite and strengthen patriotic fervor among the Indians against British regime.

Pune is the birthplace of Ganesh festival which is now celebrated all over India.There are a few old Ganpati establishments that hold importance over others during the immersion ceremony.

The city has the five Manache Ganpati – The respected and honored Ganpati idols at different places.

1. Kasba Ganpati

Kasba Ganpati

Kasba Ganpati is 1st respected Ganpati idol and is known as gramadevta i.e presiding deity of the city. Kasba Ganpati temple was established in Shivaji Maharaj era. During immersion on the 10th day, this idol is first immersed followed by others.

2. Tambdi Jogeshwari

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati is the 2nd most honored Ganpati in Pune.It is a Temple of Goddess Durga which is also the patron deity of Pune city. The Ganpati idol is immersed every year at the end of Ganesh Festival and re-established again in the successive year.

3. Guruji Talim

Guruji Talim Ganpati

Guruji Talim Ganpati is the 3rd most revered Ganpati in Pune which was established by Two Hindu and Muslim families of Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban. It symbolizes the unity of Hindu-Muslim relations.

4. Tulshibaug Ganpati

Tulshibaug Ganpati

Tulshibaug Ganpati is the 4th respected Ganapati in Pune.It is located in the heart and the most crowded part of the city.
The ornaments on the idol weigh more than 80 kgs.

5. Kesariwada Ganpati

Kesariwada Ganpati

Kesariwada Ganapti is the 5th most honourable Ganpati in Pune which was installed by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak himself at his own house.

How can one not talk about Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati during Ganesh festival. Every year, a replica of one of the famous Indian temple is created and the Ganpati idol is kept inside it for devotees to pray and take blessings. This year a replica of Rajarajeshwari Temple is created. Here is a picture of the replica.

Replica of Rajarajeshwari Temple

During this 10 day festival around 1.25 lakh people visit this temple.

Here is a close up picture of Ganpati idol.

Shrimant Dagduseth Ganpati

There are mandals on every other road of the city. Every mandal is decorated either with flowers or with some theme. Some will have lighting effects.Every Ganesh Mandal is special and unique. So no one is satisfied with a visit to a single Mandal. Mandal hopping is the most important task during the 10 days long celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. There is no lack of enthusiasm and energy in youngsters or older adults.

These are some of the mandals whose hard work of skilled artisans are really appreciable.

Mandai Ganpati

Babu Genu Ganpati

Here is a collage of some Ganpati mandals that we visited along the way.

And finally this is the Ganpati idol at our society complex temple.

It is not only the pompous celebration of the much-revered elephant god Ganesh, it is also a unifying festival for all people. Tourists and residents flock different Ganesh Mandals to have a look at the Ganesh idol.

Thanks for visiting!!