Imagine a riot of bright colours. The heart-thumping sound of the dholtasha (drums), energised chants accompanying it and groups of people moving to its rhythm. The rhythm passes through your feet, moves through your body, and somehow you become one with the crowd. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other. And I wait for this rush every year – it’s the Ganpati festival in Pune.
But not everyone feels this way.
Should You Visit Maharashtra During the Ganpati Festival?
There are two distinct groups of people – people who love the Ganpati festival and people who dislike it. And both groups have genuine reasons. I’ll explain, and then you can choose which group you want to be part of and decide whether you should visit Maharashtra during the Ganpati festival.
The Ganpati Festival Lovers
Let me start with the first group, since I proudly belong to it – we are the Ganpati festival lovers.
Ganpati, the elephant-head god, is revered by Hindus in India. Known as the God of beginnings and remover of obstacles, he is invoked before starting anything new.
Why Ganesh Chaturthi is Special in Pune
For years, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated in temples and homes. But in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak transformed it into a public festival lasting for ten days. His aim was to bring all the communities together and also to create a platform to fuel the independence movement. It was a space where Indians could meet freely which the Britishers discouraged. And it all began in Pune – a city that I belong to and hence I have a special love for this festival.
Why it is special for me
Growing up, every colony had their own Ganpati pandal (temporary festival stage). We kids would gather every evening for aarti and prasad, followed by cultural programmes. Then we would go in groups to see the other pandals. Visiting friends who had brought Ganpati home was part of the fun too. I still cherish these memories.
For those of us who grew up in Pune, this festival is part of our identity. Ganpati Bappa is more than just a god – he’s an approachable, lovable figure, who has fun stories that make him easy to adore.
Creativity and Community During the Ganpati Festival
If you visit Pune during this time, you’ll find pandals competing with one another in their decorations and themes, which range from social issues to spiritual ideas. The energy of the crowd, the creativity on display, and the food stalls all add up to make this festival a one-of-a-kind experience.
There’s a sense of belonging in the air during those ten days, when everyone is moving together in faith and chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. It energises you and it’s infectious.
And if you do visit, then you should definitely eat Ganpati Bappa’s favourite sweet – the modak. It’s a sweet dumpling filled with coconut, jaggery and cardamom, it’s widely available all throughout the city during the festival.
Why You Shouldn’t Visit During the Ganpati Festival
The festival has grown far beyond its original scale, and with that have come challenges. Amongst all the rush to visit the pandals and get a glimpse of Ganpati Bappa, you’ll witness mad crowd of people, shoulder-to-shoulder which is suffocating. If you dislike crowded places, this festival may not be for you.
Traffic is another nightmare, especially in Pune and Mumbai where diversions and blockages are routine. Add to that the loudspeakers blasting music, which after a while stop being celebratory and start hurting your ears.
Eco-Friendly Concerns During Ganesh Chaturthi
The biggest issue, though, is the environmental damage caused by immersing idols in rivers and the sea. While the government has introduced measures like artificial immersion tanks, the scale of pollution and waste left behind is still worrying.
I wish more people were mindful of these issues. If they were, this festival could truly be one to brag about.
How to Experience the Ganpati Festival in Pune Without the Chaos
That said, there are ways to experience the Ganpati festival without enduring the chaos. Many families bring Ganpati home. You could skip the pandals and instead join families or housing societies for aarti, cultural programmes, and of course, food. Most people would welcome you warmly.
Visarjan in Pune: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
One part of the festival I hold close is visarjan (immersion) day in Pune. After ten days of worship, Ganpati is bid farewell with drums, dance, and chants. In Pune, the procession is organised, so even if you’ve avoided the crowds earlier, this is one day where you can comfortably join in.
The Five Manache Ganpati: Pune’s Pride
Different groups parade with dholtasha, lezim, and flags, performing unique choreographies in sequence. The first five are called Manache Ganpati – the “respected Ganpati”. This tradition has lasted for years, representing the cultural pride of Pune
The first Ganpati amongst these five that leads the procession is Kasba Ganpati. It was installed by Jijabai, mother of Shivaji, founder of the Maratha empire. This Ganpati is regarded as the gram daivat or the presiding deity of Pune and holds the most reverence.
This is followed by the other four manache Ganpati namely — Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug, and Kesariwada and then the remaining mandals join.
The Manache Ganpati Tradition in Pune
When Kasba Ganpati begins the procession, something shifts in the air. It’s not the tallest nor flashiest one but the reverence it commands is palpable. Some bow instinctively, others whisper prayers, chant loudly or simply watch with misty eyes.
One by one, the five Manache Ganpati make their way forward. Each accompanied by its own rhythm of drums, its own wave of chants. Yet, unlike the frenzied, glitter-studded processions that will follow later in the night, these first immersions feel more solemn, almost choreographed. There’s a sense of history and culture walking past you.
After them come the larger-than-life idols, neon-lit trucks, booming speakers, and endless waves of dance and celebration. I would suggest that you stay for these five Manache Ganpatis, then head home before the chaos takes over. That’s what I do every year.
But mind you it is also an emotional day. Bidding adieu to Ganpati Bappa after ten days of worshipping him is tough for most people. Yet we do it while chanting – Pudcha varshi lavkar ya – that means come back soon next year.
Why You Should Experience the Ganpati Festival in Pune at Least Once
This is a festival of contradictions. You’ll feel awe and exhaustion. You’ll feel that you are part of something larger yet you’ll long for a quiet corner. You’ll witness devotion and madness side by side.
If you want the best experience, start small – visit families who bring Ganpati home, then explore some less-crowded mandals, and finally, watch the visarjan procession in Pune. Stay for the first five Ganpatis and then step away. That way, you’ll taste the magic without drowning in the frenzy.
And if you’re someone who loves madness, then go all in.
But whatever you choose, I promise this – experience this festival once, and you’ll be tempted to come back year after year, no matter where you are in the world. That’s the spell it casts.
