Ganeshotsav 2025: Heavy Rush for Festival Shopping; Pune Markets Abuzz with Festive Spirit
Pune, 23rd August 2025: With just three days left for Ganeshotsav, beginning Wednesday (August 27), markets across Pune city and its suburbs witnessed a massive shopping rush on Saturday. Citizens thronged central as well as suburban markets for festival essentials, resulting in heavy crowds and traffic disruptions across several parts of the city.
Traditional marketplaces in the old city areas—Mandai, Shaniwar Peth, Raviwar Peth’s Kapadganj, Bohri Ali, and Tulshibaug—remained packed since morning. Taking advantage of the weekend holiday, many families came out together for shopping. Decorative items, electric lights, and puja materials were in high demand, with shops reporting brisk business throughout the day.
The surge in vehicles caused traffic congestion in central areas, with long queues moving slowly along Bajirao Road and Shivaji Road. In Mandai and Narayan Peth, parking lots were overflowing, forcing motorists to park along the roadside.
Crowds were not limited to the city centre. Suburban localities such as Kothrud, Karvenagar, Warje, Hadapsar, Katraj, Dhankawadi, Bibwewadi, Kondhwa, Wanawadi, and Vishrantwadi also saw busy markets. To manage the rush, traffic police deployed additional personnel in Mandai and Raviwar Peth areas.
Indiscipline Adds to Congestion
Haphazard parking of two-wheelers and four-wheelers in narrow lanes of the old city worsened the traffic situation. With even larger footfalls expected on Sunday, both central and suburban markets are likely to remain heavily crowded.
Road Closures and Theft Incidents
In Raviwar Peth’s Kapadganj and Bohri Ali, where decorative items are in particularly high demand, certain narrow roads have been closed to traffic for better crowd management. However, police also received complaints of theft, with women losing ornaments and mobile phones while shopping. Warning boards have been installed across the area, reminding citizens to “Beware of Pickpockets.”
