Pune, 14th September 2024: Everyone in Pune wants to visit as many Ganpati Bappa idols as possible. However, due to medical emergencies, this is not always possible, leaving many heartbroken. To address this, the facility of Virtual Reality (VR) has been made available to bedridden patients at Sassoon General Hospital, allowing them to enjoy the Darshan and Aarti of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati from their hospital beds.

In the 132nd year of the festival, the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, in collaboration with Virtual Reality Startup – Digital Art VRE, is providing this experience to the patients. This initiative is the concept of Ajay Parge, Founder Director of Digital Art VRE. Patients who are unable to leave their hospital beds due to illness have a deep desire to experience the Darshan of Ganaraya during Ganeshotsav. Although they remain in the hospital, they can now feel as if they are actually at the Utsav Mandap, bowing before the idol of Ganaraya. The patients also participate in Aarti, and many shed tears of joy during this experience. They also pray for their speedy recovery.

Mahesh Suryavanshi, treasurer of the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Public Ganapati Trust, stated that this virtual reality experience provides patients with a different kind of energy and satisfaction. The trust has been implementing this initiative at Sassoon Hospital for the past four years and has received a positive response from patients.