Hey there, Pune folks! Did you catch the grand farewell of the iconic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati on Tuesday? It was a sight to behold! The procession was nothing short of spectacular, with a dazzling Mayurpankhi Rath stealing the show. Adorned with roses and illuminated by ‘cold fire’, this Rath was a true showstopper.
Acharya Swami Govind Giri Maharaj led the morning worship of Ganpati Bappa, and then the deity was paraded in the ornately decorated Rath from Vighneshwar Wada to Lokmanya Tilak’s statue at Mahatma Phule Mandai. The procession was a vibrant display of traditional games, Dhol-Tasha beats, and ‘Bhandara’ sprinkled along the route. Thousands of devotees came out to witness this grandeur.
In a significant change this year, Celebration Chief and Trustee Punit Balan decided to retire the traditional bullocks used for pulling the Rath and opted for a specially constructed chariot. This decision aimed to alleviate the burden on the animals, marking a historic moment in the Ganpati mandal’s 132-year-old tradition. Balan himself took the reins as the charioteer of the golden Mayurpankhi Rath, leading the procession in style.
The parade featured a statue of Bhausaheb Rangari and the traditional ‘nagara’, along with performances by Dhol-Tasha Pathaks that energized the crowd. Flower petals showered the procession, and ‘Bhandara’ added to the festive atmosphere. The immersion procession concluded with an emotionally charged farewell as the Ganpati bid adieu.
Punit Balan, Trustee and Celebration Chief, expressed his gratitude for the successful procession, thanking the Police Department, civic administration, office-bearers, and all the workers for their cooperation. It was truly a day to remember in Pune!
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