Pune: Over 35,000 Women Gather at Dagdusheth Ganpati for Atharvashirsha Recitation on Rishi Panchami
Pune, 15th September 2026: More than 35,000 women gathered outside the iconic Dagdusheth Ganpati temple in Pune on Tuesday morning to participate in a mass Atharvashirsha recitation on the occasion of Rishi Panchami.
The 41st edition of the annual spiritual gathering, organised by the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal as part of the Trust’s 134th Ganeshotsav, transformed the area into a sea of devotees dressed in traditional attire.
The chants of “Om Namaste Ganapataye”, “Morya, Morya” and “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” reverberated through the area as women collectively recited the Ganapati Atharvashirsha and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha.
The programme was held in front of the festival mandap, near a replica of the temple associated with this year’s Ganeshotsav theme. Despite the rainy weather, women began arriving as early as 2 am, with many travelling from Mumbai, Satara, Kolhapur, Latur and other cities to participate in the annual event.
The programme began with a traditional shankhnaad (conch-blowing ceremony), followed by the chanting of Omkar. Devotional performances, including “Ganraja Gananayaka” and “Morya Re Bappa Morya Re”, added to the spiritual atmosphere.
The highlight of the event was the collective recitation of the Atharvashirsha by thousands of women. The gathering stretched from the Dagdusheth Ganpati festival mandap towards the Nana Wada area, with devotees joining in the prayers.
The atmosphere reached its peak as the women raised their hands and applauded while chanting “Morya Morya, Dagdusheth Morya”. The programme concluded with a Maha Aarti.
Pune: ऋषीपंचमीनिमित्त दगडूशेठ गणपती समोर ३५ हजार महिलांचे अथर्वशीर्ष पठण
Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Divisional Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugle, Trust president Sunil Rasne, treasurer Mahesh Suryawanshi, Shubhangi Bhalerao, Archana Bhalerao, Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal’s Saurabh Raykar, Yatish Rasne, Mangesh Suryawanshi, Rajabhau Ghodke, Sachin Akhade and Ankush Rasne, along with other office-bearers and volunteers, were present.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale was also felicitated during the programme.
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Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said that a festival becomes complete when women actively participate in preparing for and celebrating it. She said the gathering had created a sense of strength and energy for the entire city.
The event was anchored by Archana Bhalerao and Prof. Dr Gauri Kulkarni.
