Pune: Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Given Emotional Farewell After Grand Visarjan Procession
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi, Priyanshu Banerjee
Pune, 26th September 2026: The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, regarded as India’s first public Ganpati, was given an emotional farewell at 4:01 am on Saturday after a grand visarjan procession through the city.
The procession, featuring the elaborately decorated ‘Shri Vighnaharta Rath’, cold-fire lighting, flower showers, traditional dhol-tasha performances and chants of “Morya Morya”, attracted thousands of devotees along the route.
On Anant Chaturdashi, the idol was worshipped at around 7:30 am by Dr Bhavarth Dekhane, chief trustee of Alandi Devasthan, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Krushikesh Rakhale. At around 8 am, the chariot carrying the idol left Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham Temple for the Tilak statue at Mandai.
As per tradition, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Trust festival chief and trustee Punit Balan offered garlands to the five Manache Ganpati idols at the Tilak statue.
The actual visarjan procession of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati began around 9 pm. Balan led the procession as the charioteer of the Shri Vighnaharta Rath.
The chariot reached Belbaug Chowk at around 9:45 pm. A statue of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, accompanied by a nagara, led the procession. Members of the ShivYoddha Mardani Akhada performed traditional martial arts, while the Yuva Vady Pathak, Shriram and Ramanbaug dhol groups added to the festive atmosphere.
The procession also featured flower showers at several points along the route. Cold-fire lighting on the chariot became one of the major attractions for devotees gathered to watch the procession.
At around 3:30 am, the Shri Vighnaharta Rath reached Tilak Chowk, where thousands of devotees gathered for a final darshan of Bappa and raised chants of “Morya Morya”.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Tejaswi Satpute performed the aarti, following which the idol proceeded towards the immersion site.
At 4:01 am, the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati was immersed at the municipal tank at Panchaleshwar Visarjan Ghat, marking an emotional conclusion to the procession.
Punit Balan thanks authorities and volunteers
Speaking after the immersion, Punit Balan, festival chief and trustee of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, said the procession was conducted with enthusiasm and in coordination with the authorities.
He said the trust had been prepared to participate in the procession at the time allotted by the police but joined the Laxmi Road procession after receiving permission following a delay. He added that efforts were made to complete the procession in the shortest possible time.
Balan thanked the police administration, Pune Municipal Corporation, mandal office-bearers and volunteers for their cooperation in ensuring that the Ganeshotsav celebrations were conducted peacefully and enthusiastically.
