Pune, 18th September 2024: The iconic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, renowned as Hindustan’s first Ganpati mandal, received a spectacular farewell on Tuesday. The procession was highlighted by a dazzling Mayurpankhi Rath, adorned with roses and illuminated by ‘cold fire’, while traditional beats of Dhol-Tasha and vibrant displays of traditional games and ‘Bhandara’ (turmeric powder) added to the festivity. The event drew thousands of enthusiastic devotees who came out to witness the grandeur.
Acharya Swami Govind Giri Maharaj led the morning worship of the Ganpati Bappa. The deity was then paraded in the ornately decorated Rath from Vighneshwar Wada to Lokmanya Tilak’s statue at Mahatma Phule Mandai, with the procession commencing at 8:30 a.m. The journey began after paying homage at Tilak’s statue and to the five Manache Ganpati, who were garlanded by representatives of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust.
In a significant change this year, Celebration Chief and Trustee Punit Balan decided to retire the traditional bullocks used for pulling the Rath, opting instead for a specially constructed chariot. This decision aimed to alleviate the burden on the animals, marking the first time in 132 years that a new Rath was built. Balan himself took the reins as the charioteer of the golden Mayurpankhi Rath, which became a focal point of the procession. The procession officially began at around 3:15 a.m.
Leading the parade were a statue of Bhausaheb Rangari and the traditional ‘nagara’. The procession featured exhilarating traditional games and performances by Dhol-Tasha Pathaks including Samarth, Shivmudra, and Shriram, who energized the crowd with their vibrant rhythms. Devotees scattered ‘Bhandara’ along the route, and flower petals were showered on the procession, which was further enhanced by the Rath’s captivating illumination.
At 8:30 a.m., Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma performed the ‘Aarti’ as the procession reached Tilak Chowk. The Ganpati then proceeded towards its immersion, concluding with an emotionally charged farewell that highlighted the devotion and enthusiasm of the community.
Punit Balan, Trustee and Celebration Chief of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, expressed his gratitude: “The immersion procession of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust was conducted with great enthusiasm. We were able to carry out the procession efficiently thanks to the permission from the Police Department. I extend my thanks to the police, civic administration, office-bearers, and all the workers for their invaluable cooperation.”