Pune Ganeshotsav 2026: 135th Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Festival Begins
Pune, 9th August 2026: The 135th annual Ganeshotsav of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, known for its historic public Ganpati tradition, began on Sunday with the traditional Vasa Pujan ceremony held on the occasion of August Kranti Din.
The ceremony was held at the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati temple in Pune in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale, Ashokbhai Shah of Ashok Electricals and festival chief and trustee Puneet Balan.
The dignitaries performed the traditional Vasa Pujan of the festival mandap, following which the theme for this year’s Ganeshotsav was unveiled.
‘Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham’ theme unveiled
The trust will present a fictional theme titled ‘Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham’ during this year’s festival.
The display is based on the concept of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, residing in a place where the traditional Indian values of “Matrudevo Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava”—honouring one’s mother and father—are upheld.
Through the display, the organisers aim to highlight the importance of parents, gratitude towards them and the traditional Indian practice of respecting and worshipping one’s parents.
The trust has traditionally presented fictional themes during Ganeshotsav, and organisers said this year’s installation will similarly seek to combine visual appeal with a social and cultural message.
DJ-free celebrations planned
Puneet Balan, festival chief and trustee, said this year’s celebrations would focus on religious traditions, sanctity and cultural practices.
“Since Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati is known as the Ganpati of revolutionaries, it is significant that the mandap Vasa Pujan and theme unveiling took place on Kranti Din. This year, we will present the fictional theme ‘Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham’. The festival will be celebrated while preserving its religious sanctity and traditions. Like last year, we will also organise a DJ-free Ganeshotsav and Dahi Handi,” Balan said.
A range of religious and cultural programmes will be organised in the temple premises during the 135th Ganeshotsav.
DCP Rawale attends Vasa Pujan
DCP Zone 1 Krushikesh Rawale, who performed the Vasa Pujan, said he was honoured to be invited to inaugurate the traditional ceremony.
“I am extremely happy to have received the honour of performing the Vasa Pujan for the 135th Ganeshotsav mandap of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati. I had attended the festival here last year as well. After seeing the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the discipline maintained during the immersion procession, I understood why Pune’s Ganeshotsav is considered unique. I sincerely thank the trust for giving me this honour,” Rawale said.
The Vasa Pujan and theme unveiling ceremony was attended by office-bearers, volunteers and several guests. The atmosphere turned festive with traditional dhol-tasha performances and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust is associated with Pune’s historic public Ganeshotsav tradition and will conduct various religious and cultural activities throughout the 135th edition of the festival.
