Pune: New Year 2026 Begins with Devotion as Devotees Flock to Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 1st January 2026: The New Year began on a devotional note in Pune as thousands of devotees thronged the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple to seek blessings in the early hours of Wednesday. From midnight onwards, long queues were seen outside the iconic temple, with many Punekars choosing to start the year with Ganpati darshan.
Devotees began gathering at the temple premises soon after 12 am, and arrangements were made to ensure smooth movement for darshan. The temple was opened to the public at around 3 am, following which the flow of devotees increased steadily through the morning. Special arrangements, including regulated darshan queues, were put in place for the convenience of visitors.
The temple premises and surrounding areas were decorated with colourful flowers, adding to the festive atmosphere. The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust had made extensive preparations to manage the large turnout, anticipating a heavy rush on the first day of the English New Year.
Speaking on the occasion, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust treasurer Mahesh Suryavanshi said, “There is great enthusiasm among devotees to begin the New Year with Bappa’s darshan. Aartis and abhishek rituals have been ongoing since morning, and we expect around five lakh devotees to visit the temple today.”
Many devotees said they prayed for peace, prosperity and happiness for the year ahead. For several Punekars, visiting the Dagdusheth Ganpati temple on New Year’s Day remains a long-standing tradition, reflecting the city’s deep-rooted cultural and spiritual connect.
