New Delhi: Ganpati Utsav is commencing this year on August 31, with the arrival of Ganesh Chaturthi. The Vinayak Visarjan is scheduled to take place on September 31. The fervour of Lord Ganesha, the deity believed to be worshipped as the Vigynaharta (remover of all kinds of obstacles) is best observed at the various Ganpati Pandals across Maharastra.
The important (renowned) Ganpati Pandals that receive a lot of attention during the Ganpati celebration are listed below;
Dagdusheth Ganpat
The Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple, which is in Pune, is a Hindu dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Over a hundred thousand people travel to the temple annually. During the ten-day Ganeshotsav festival every year, celebrities and Maharashtra’s chief ministers visit the temple as devotees. This temple is the greatest place to experience the splendour of the Ganpati festival. According to the temple’s history, Dagdusheth Gadve, a prosperous halwai vendor who had lost his only son to a plague epidemic, constructed an idol of Lord Ganesha in 1893 on the suggestion of his spiritual mentor. A second Ganesha idol was constructed in 1896 by the halwai, who was reported to have been revered by ‘Lokmanya’ Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Kesariwada Ganpati:
Another special temple that has been providing blessings to Pune for many years is the Paanch Manache Ganpati or the Kesari Wada Ganapati. The Kesari Wada Ganpati is exquisitely decorated each year on Ganeshotsav, and the celebration is cherished with vigour and the finest robustness.
The Kesari Wada, constructed by the Gaikwads of Pune, is a roomy area with a lovely Lord Ganesha idol. There are two idols of Ganesha at the temple, one is permanently placed there while the other one is brought during the 10-day Ganapati festival every year.
Kasba Ganpati:
The Kasba Ganapati describes both the murti of the Hindu god Ganapati and the temple erected around a specific murti. Located in Pune, The Kasba Ganapati is the presiding deity of Pune. Every year, Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal celebrates the Ganpati celebration in a distinctive way. The Ganpati celebration is fervently observed for 10 days by providing a wonderful stage for artists from diverse backgrounds to showcase their abilities through the cultural events planned to mark the festival.
Tulshibaug Ganpati:
Established in the year 1901, the Lord Ganesha statue of the temple is a very beautiful and appealing idol of Lord Ganesh. Thirteen feet in height, this idol is adorned with splendid silver jewellery from head to toe. The idol holds 4th place in the honoured Ganpati’s list because it is considered to be the God of Pune’s favourite trading place. This idol does not move to another location during the festival and is worshipped at the same place throughout the year.
Guruji Talim Ganpati:
Dating back to the year 1887, Guruji Talim is ranked third on Pune’s list of renowned Ganpatis. This idol was created by the Shinde and Nalban families of the city as a representation of the harmony between the Hindus and Muslims of the city. This Ganpati pandal maintains the third spot because it was founded much earlier than Lokamanya Tilak’s Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav. Pune residents are also drawn to this pandal by the opulent procession they participate in during visarjan.
Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganpati:
The “Gramdevata” or “Goddess of the City” of Pune, Maharashtra, is the goddess Shree Tambdi Jogeshwari. Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganeshotsav Mandal received the title of “Manacha Dusara Ganapati” from the famous Indian liberation warrior Shri. Lokmanya Tilak in 1893, placing it second among all honours granted. Since 1893, the socio-cultural organisation has been in charge of planning the Ganesh Festival. They have made societal contributions as a socio-cultural organisation through a variety of social activities, all the while upholding the culture and customs in the most orderly way possible.
Lalbaug cha Raja:
During the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, the sarvajanik Ganesha statue known as Lalbaugcha Raja is kept at Lalbaug. On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the idol is immersed in the Arabian Sea at Girgaon Chowpatty after giving darshan to worshippers for 11 days.
Ganesh Galli Ganpati:
The Ganesh Galli celebration in Mumbai is in its 95th year. One of the state’s earliest Ganesh pandals is known to exist. Ganesh Galli, the founder of the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, began the festival in 1928 to encourage people to stand up for their rights during the period before independence.
Khetwadi Ganraj:
Khetwadi Ganraj is possibly one of the oldest in the city. Established in 1959, this mandal also hosts a variety of religious performances and cultural programs during the duration of the Ganesh festival. This year the Khetwadi Ganraj has installed the tallest Ganesha idol
Tejukaya cha king:
Tejukaya Mansion Ganeshotsav Mandal Ganpati, popularly known as Tejukaya Cha Raja Ganesh, is one of the Ganesh mandals in Mumbai.
Dongri Cha Raja:
Started in 1939, Dongri cha Raja is managed by Chinch Bunder Dongri Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal.