Special darshan of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati for Senior Citizens via Virtual Reality  

Pune, September 09: Residents of Abhalmaya, an old age home on Sinhagad Road were on the verge of happiness as they first time ever became a part of the Aarti rituals of city’s most worshiped deity Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati virtually. This was the golden opportunity offered to the senior citizens of the old age home, where they felt the simulation of their presence in the real environment of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati’s Pandal which was actually created through virtual reality (VR).

During Ganeshotsav every nook and corner of Pune is decked up and the roads are packed with devotees queuing up for the glimpse of lord Ganesha. In this situation, offering a hassle-free darshan of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati to the senior citizens becomes a difficulty. Ajay Parge, a working professional from the field of Digital Art has made it possible by using the medium of virtual reality. He along with his team recorded the 360-degree view of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati and its grand pandal for this initiative.

By wearing ‘Oculus VR Gears’ the senior devotees could not only enjoy the Ganesha’s Arati but also viewed decoration of the grand Pandal straight from Abhalmaya premises. This 360-degree view was so real for the devotees that they started singing Aarti and clapping while watching the video through the gears. Ajay Parge and Rituparna Deshpande, the founders of Digital Art VRe along with Dr. Aparna Deshmukh, the founder of ‘Abhalmaya’ old age home were also present on this occasion.