14 September,2026 07:42 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
People celebrate the arrival of Akhil Mandai Mandal’s Lord Ganesh idol during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Pune, on Monday. PIC/PTI
Pune's 12-day Ganeshotsav 2026 festivities began on Monday with the 'pran pratishtha' ceremonies of the city's five revered 'Manache Ganpatis', as devotees welcomed Lord Ganesha amid chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya', dhol-tasha beats, and traditional music.
The five Manache Ganpatis - Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug Ganpati, and Kesari Wada Ganpati - were welcomed amid large gatherings of devotees.
The chants reverberated through the streets of Maharashtra's second-biggest city from morning as beautifully decorated idols made their way to their temporary abodes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and traditional musical instruments.
At the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, a flower-decked chariot carried the idol to the mandap, which this year has been inspired by the famous Prem Mandir in Vrindavan.
At the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, the 'pran pratishtha' was performed by renowned classical flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, while Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, performed the aarti.
Punit Balan, trustee of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, said the decoration this year has been themed on 'Shree Ganesh Swarnadham', depicting the divine abode of Lord Ganesha.
The mandal has also carried the spirit of Pune's Ganeshotsav beyond Maharashtra, he said, adding that three idols of Manache Ganapati were sent to Kashmir last week.
At Kesari Wada, trustee Rohit Tilak said the Ganpati idol was welcomed using traditional musical instruments.
"For the next ten days, several cultural programmes as well as social initiatives will be carried out by the mandal. We are also organising talks by eminent personalities from various fields," Tilak said.
On the issue of a DJ-free Ganesh festival, Tilak said the norms laid down by the Supreme Court should be followed by everyone.
The use of high-decibel sound systems, popularly called DJs, during Ganeshotsav has emerged as a contentious issue in Pune. Activist Vidyanand Bapat, who has been opposing their use during the festival, was recently assaulted by a mandal member, bringing the issue into sharper focus.
At Guruji Talim Mandal, the celebrations have added significance as the mandal is marking its 140th year.
Festival chief Hardik Pardeshi said the arrival procession began with performances by six dhol-tasha and flag squads, followed by Ashwaraj, a band and a 'nagara' troupe.
The mandal has created a replica of the Jagannath Puri temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, as part of its festival decoration.
"The Guruji Talim Mandal Ganeshotsav began in 1887. At that time, it was among the oldest talims (traditional wrestling and physical training centres) in the city," Pardeshi said.
He said the festival was started through the collective efforts of people belonging to different communities, reflecting Pune's tradition of social participation and communal harmony.
At Kasba Ganpati Mandal, the first revered Ganpati, the 'pran pratishtha' was performed amid a traditional atmosphere.
"The decoration at the Kasba Ganpati temple is modest, with natural and environmentally sustainable items being used. Over the next 11 days, along with the cultural events, the focus is on creating environmental awareness," said mandal president Shrikant Shete.
In line with the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) campaign against adulteration, the mandal will also be creating awareness about food purity, he added.
Meanwhile, police and civic authorities have made elaborate arrangements across the city for the smooth conduct of the 12-day Ganesh festival, with attention to traffic management, crowd control, civic amenities and public safety.
(With PTI inputs)
