Pune: Youth Volunteers Clean Streets Outside Dagdusheth Temple After Ganeshotsav Draws Two Crore Devotees
Pune, 9th September 2025: This year’s Ganeshotsav at the iconic Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with nearly two crore devotees visiting over the 10-day festival. On the very first day alone, around 17.5 lakh people thronged the temple premises.
While the celebrations reflected the city’s deep spiritual fervor, the aftermath left behind heaps of garbage on the streets surrounding the temple.
Young Interactors Step Up
In a heartening display of civic responsibility, members of the Interact Club of Poona Downtown took it upon themselves to clean the road in front of the temple. Equipped with gloves, garbage bags, and determination, the teenagers demonstrated that devotion to Lord Ganesha extends beyond rituals to caring for the city and environment.
The Interact Club of Poona Downtown, now in its fourth year, comprises students aged 17 to 18 years from various schools and colleges. Guided by Rotarian Aashima Agashe under the aegis of the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown, the group has been actively involved in community service initiatives.
“We wanted to show that true devotion doesn’t end with visarjan. Keeping our surroundings clean is also a way of honouring Lord Ganesha and respecting our environment,” said one of the young Interactors.
Applause from Citizens and Police
By taking action where many adults hesitated, the Interactors sent out a strong message on conscious citizenship. Their efforts not only restored cleanliness to one of Pune’s busiest festival zones but also inspired onlookers.
Passersby and on-duty police officials near the temple spontaneously praised the group, with many stopping to click pictures of the children at work.
A Lesson in Responsible Festivities
As Pune continues to celebrate grand festivals year after year, the young volunteers of the Interact Club have set an example for the larger community. Their message is clear: faith and responsibility must go hand in hand to ensure that religious celebrations do not leave the city in disarray.
