HAPPY GANESH FESTIVAL TO ALL



Pune is proud to remember their great leader Shivaji Maharaj and their great festival Ganesh Utsav.  Yes , Ganesh festival was first celebrated in Pune since the era of Shivaji Maharaj - founder of Maratha Empire (1630 - 1680). This festival was celebrated with installation of idols in every house.  When British Raj started Ganesh Utsav lost state patronage but Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak revived it back in public.  He praised this celebration in his newspaper 'KESARI' and launched Ganesh festival as a well organized public event.  Going against the Britishers, Tilak tried his level best to bridge the gap between Brahmins and Non Brahmins through this festival.  Soon it became a mass community event .  Not only the whole of Maharashtra but it became popular amongst people all over India.  A Ganesh Puja was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893.  The idol is the same from the very first day and it has been made by the same family for over four generations.  

Ganesh festival goes on for 10 days.  Pandals (Mandals) are built at every nook and corner of the city.  Pandals are funded from donations by residents and business organizations.  Local youths, groups, neighbours organize festival programmes.  Installation of Ganesh idols are done in these Pandals at public places.  Ganesh Puja is performed every morning and evening and the favourite sweet Modaks are prepared and distributed among people.  Pandals are decorated with colourful papers, dazzling lights.  Any theme is chosen and according to the theme the artwork or decoration is done with music.  There is a competition for the best decorated Pandal and prizes are given later.  People rush to see all the Pandals in the late evening to see the different types of Ganesh idols

Ganesh idols are also installed in the houses.  Families get to job of decorating a small portion of the house with flowers and colourful items before installing the idol.  Pujas and bhajans are performed .Sweets are made. 

After ten days these idols are carried in public procession with music, dance  and group chanting "Ganpati Bapa Moriya,  Pudchya varshi lavkar ya" which means 'God Ganesh please come soon next year.'  It is then immersed in the nearby river or sea.  On this day vehicles are not allowed on road.  CCTV cameras are kept on.  Live telecast is shown on Television so that people can sit in the house and watch the same.    Ganesh festival is so popular and today it is known to all over the world. 

This year due to COVID-19 pandemic there are some restrictions like no gathering, social distance, use of mask and people are very careful to celebrate it in a small way in every house.
 

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