Pune: Focus On Eco-Friendly Ganeshotsav In Viman Nagar Area

Aamir Wadwan

Viman Nagar, 9th September 2022: As 10 days of Ganesh festivities are coming on to an end, the religious and joyous environment across Pune will dim on the streets. Some have completed the Visarjan of Ganapati idols, and some will complete it today.

The biggest Ganpati Idol in Viman Nagar by Gurudutt Pratisthan Mandal is one of a kind in India and made with Shadu Clay. Dutt Bhagwan Idol is known as ‘Viman Nagarcha Raja’, and it began in 2008. They celebrate an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav by making Shadu clay idols and by following all the rules. For this, they received an award under ‘Vighnaharta Nyas.’

Arjun Jagtap, president of the Gurudutt Pratisthan Mandal, said, “We have been celebrating Ganeshotsav since 2008. We complete the immersion process within the Pandal itself to protect the environment. We organise medical camps and fun events for school students and everyone throughout Ganeshotsav. The Chandan Nagar Mahila Mandal visit here for the sangeet. We keep the guidelines of the government in mind and celebrate an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. We organize a medical camp with 61 types of treatment for citizens.”

Another Ganapati idol in Viman Nagar, organised by ‘Samrat Tarun Mandal’, has been celebrated for the past 33 years. It has been ranked No. 3 in zone 4 by Vighnaharta Nyas.

Deepak Avsarmadh, president of Samrat Tarun Mandal, said, “We arrange dance competitions for the kids. The women in the area stay home all year, so we arrange various competitive activities for them. We also distribute prizes for competitions to increase enthusiasm. We feel 10 days are not enough for the activities and events of Ganeshotsav. We celebrated Ganeshotsav by distributing free food rations during Covid Pandemic. Our group has also received an award from Vighnaharta Nyas for our eco-friendly Ganeshotsav celebrations.”

During Visarjan day, Somnath Bankar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, “PMC and the police force have asked the citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. After the Covid-19 restrictions were removed, we have taken all the measures to make it a smooth-going festival this year with the same enthusiasm. 14 government vehicles and other private vehicles have been deployed in the Nagar Road – Vadgaonsheri ward areas for the preservation of nature and people wanting to do Visarjans from home.”