Pune, 17th September 2024: The grand celebration of Ganeshotsav, a cherished tradition in Pune and across Maharashtra, culminates today on Anant Chaturdashi. Devotees will bid a heartfelt farewell to Lord Ganesha as elaborate preparations for the immersion procession are underway. Public Ganpati Mandals and activists are gearing up for processions in various cities including Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Solapur, and Kolhapur.
In Pune, Ganpati immersion processions will be held across the city today, with police and medical services in place to ensure safety and maintain law and order. Security has been tightened in the city. As per tradition, the immersion procession will begin at 10:30 AM with wreath-laying at the statue of Lokmanya Tilak at Mahatma Phule Mandai.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed all preparations for the Ganpati immersion, emphasizing the health and safety of citizens. Various PMC departments have collaborated to ensure all facilities are in place for the processions.

The first five Manache Ganpati from Laxmi Road, followed by other Ganpati Mandals, will proceed through designated routes, including Laxmi Road, Kelkar Road, Kumthekar Road, Tilak Road, and Karve Road. The procession of the iconic Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandal is scheduled to begin at 4 PM. A force of 6,500 police personnel, including teams from the Damini Pathak unit for women’s safety, has been deployed for the event.

The police have set up help centers at 12 locations to assist devotees and citizens attending the immersion. A total of 39 watchtowers will monitor the processions to maintain order. Lifeguards and medical teams are stationed at the immersion ghats. Reports indicate that this year’s procession is expected to conclude earlier than in previous years.

The vibrant preparations by the Dhol-Tasha teams, Shankhnad, Tipri, and Lazeem groups have become major attractions. Special chariots from various Mandals have been beautifully decorated with flowers, LED lights, and thematic scenes delivering religious and social messages.

At Laxmi Road and Belbag Chowk, artists are creating rangoli patches to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, with designs promoting awareness about cybercrime.

There is also a strong focus on maintaining immersion ghats, managing iron tanks, Nirmalya Kalash (for organic offerings), ensuring proper electrical systems, and effective waste management throughout the immersion sites.