Pune Celebrates Anant Chaturdashi with Grand Processions and Devotional Fervor
Pune, 6th September 2025: Pune awoke to the rhythmic beats of drums, the blare of cymbals, and showers of flowers as the city celebrated Anant Chaturdashi with its signature zeal. Early Saturday morning, devotees thronged the streets, chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, come early next year…” to mark the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols.
The procession commenced with the garlanding of the Lokmanya Tilak statue at Mahatma Phule Mandai. Prominent dignitaries, including Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, State Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, and Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol, were present to witness the festivities.
Leading the celebrations, the first Kasba Peth Ganapati was carried on a traditional palanquin, escorted by throngs of devotees. The palanquin began its journey from the mandai towards Lakshmi Road amid resounding drumbeats and chants, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion and excitement.
Soon after, the third Ganpati of the Guruji Talim Mandal, Ganarai Shiva-Parvati, made a striking entry in a flower-decked chariot. The market area resonated with the melodious sounds of the Nagarkar brothers’ Sanai-Chowghad, the Nad Brahma Dhol-Tasha troupe, and the Ashwaraj Band, adding a festive rhythm to the colorful spectacle.
The fourth Ganpati, belonging to the Tulshibagh Sarvajina Ganeshotsav Mandal Trust, held special significance this year as the trust celebrated its 125th anniversary. The idol was brought out in a towering 35-foot-high, 16-foot-wide, and 24-foot-long peacock chariot, decorated with a profusion of flowers and hydraulic artistry. As the chariot entered the market, devotees were enthralled by its grandeur, accompanied by the resonant conch shells and drumbeats of the Lonkar brothers.
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The fifth procession, led by the Kesariwada Ganapati of a respected local family, maintained the traditional charm with a palanquin procession. The immersive spectacle included performances by the Shriram, Shivmudra, and Swarajya Trust Dhol-Tasha teams. Unique elements such as the Kathakali mask-decorated chariot, the Bidve brothers’ drumming, the troupe’s ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi Restoration’ performance, and the Swarajya Trust’s concept of ‘The Lost Postman’ drew admiration from the crowd.
With rhythmic drumming, cascading flowers, and the continuous chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” Pune’s Anant Chaturdashi celebrations once again captured the city’s devotion, energy, and cultural vibrancy, leaving streets filled with joy and reverence.
