Thread by @Gautaamm

Annual Ganpati Visarjan thread:

Typically I go around noon and walk at the far end of Laxmi Road in time for the first or second Manache Ganpati to have made their entry.

This year, I decided to be at the tail end right in the middle of the sea of devotees to see how that experience is, as they are ending the Miravnuk on Laxmi Road.

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

Empty roads and Rangoli welcoming Devotees who start lining up around 2.00 PM for the “Courtside seats”.

As I started walking on Lakdi Pul, the sound of the Dhol Tasha reached my ears and I got the first glimpse of the processsion at the other end in Alka Chowk.

The unique feature of the procession/ मिरवणूक is the specific sequence.

The first five slots are always reserved for the “Manache Ganpati” aka “मानाचे गणपती”.

The order is:
1) Kasba
2) Tambdi Jogeshwari
3) Guruji Talim
4) Tulshibaug
5) Kesriwada

#मानाचेगणपती

Ps. Slight repetition but important for those reading it for the first time.

I had barely reached the Chowk when they announced that the “Kasba Ganpati” the 1st Manacha Ganpati had reached there.

It happens to be Pune’s “gram daivat” which basically means the “God of the City.”

Capturing this murti was the toughest challenge of the day. As matter of fact, all of them given where I was standing.

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

The second Manacha Ganpati Mandal is “Tambdi Jogeshwari”. They reached within minutes of the Kasba mandal.

“तांबडी जोगेश्वरी”

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

The 3rd Ganpati Mandal is “Guruji Talim”

“गुरुजी तालीम”

Unlike the first two who are in a “Palkhi” this one has a “रथ” aka Chariot.

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

The 4th Ganpati mandal is “Tulshi Baug”

“तुळशीबाग”

What a grand “murti” it is.

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

Last in the procession but the first one ever is of course “Kesariwada”.

The fifth “Manacha Ganpati” is Kesriwada!

They recreated the “Lal, Bal and Pal” theme this year.

I was blessed to walk with the Mandal for the last 100 meters or so.

“केसरीवाडा”

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

Another attraction was to witness the “Shree Ram Pathak” who had the privilege to perform at the Ram Lalla at Ayodhya!

Just before each Mandal enters Lakdi Pul, the Dhol Tasha Pathak does one final performance.

What an atmosphere!!!

As always, people come up with unique ways to get the best views, specially to capture the best angle.

From the terrace of the lodge to trees, it’s just amazing.

Some entrepreneurial spirit on display also! 😄

From rooftops to cool shades of the flexes to balconies of buildings, people make sure they get the best views.

Look at the ingenuity of the person in the 4th ad. Keeping a newspaper to protect the skin from the hot balcony wall!

Too good….

Each mandal is led by one or two Dhol Tasha Pathaks.

Each Pathak is spearheaded by a group holding the “Bhagwe”.

Amazing sight each time……

What do I say about the Dhol Tasha troupes that has not been said?

Just an amazing art which all of us should appreciate and support to preserve.

Please view Pano photo in landscape mode.

Just watch these videos and you will see why they are so popular with Punekars!

See how people are dancing along with them to the beat like they do at a rock concert.

#DholTasha

The amount of efforts people take to make this entire day a success is endless.

Dressing up is an integral part and I always try to capture people who put that extra step to do that.

Also the enthusiasm while performing is something I enjoy watching.

From various colours to torn Dhol, the conductors giving the count to all members, everyone puts in their best in this heat all day long.

And come up with ways to counter it also.

And then came the big one: Dagdusheth!

Just look at the attraction it holds for all the devotees!

#Pune #dagdushethganpati
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

Amazing devotion…..

Was blessed to attend the final Aarti also.

Seeing the sea of people with their phones out to get a photo of Ganpati Bappa just before he makes his exit reminded me of that iconic photo when people were literally cramming to get a photo as he walked down the stairs at Wankhade for the final time.

How befitting a lot of people consider him to be God.

And of course had to capture a photo showing the procession with another of Pune’s latest star attraction: the Metro!

All along the way, multiple vendors put up their stalls to sell food and beverages mainly water to the devotees, volunteers etc.

One of the shopkeepers put up these bags inside the store and was seen encouraging customers to dispose off their bottles and plates in it.

If all of us did this, it would make it much easier to keep our city clean.

The synchronised process shown by the group was absolutely fantastic.

Maintaining law and order is a joint effort and the @PuneCityPolice, @PuneCityTraffic and the volunteers from Chanakya Academy were on their feet from 10 AM all the way to the end doing an amazing job.

And now we come to the people who make the Pune Ganpati the best in the world: the devotees!

From all walks of life, crossing all genders, from toddlers to grandparents, from Punekars to people who travel from all parts of India beyond, the devotees are just amazing.

Some more….

Please view the first photo in Landscape mode I.e. hold the phone horizontally.

What a sight!!!!

#Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

As I was walking home, I stopped on Lakdi Pul for a breather and this amazing sight caught my eyes.

What a beautiful Metro we have gotten here. Its role in helping people enjoy the Ganpati Fesrival is understated.

On Saturday, 240,000 people used the Metro. It was not a coincidence that it was the Saturday before Visarjan.

Had to include the photo of #Dagdusheth and #PuneMetro as the final one in this thread.

Hope you enjoy it. Putting it all together is a great experience for me. I hope to continue to do it for the years to come…..

Pune
#GanpatiVisarjan2024
#गणेश_विसर्जन

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