Historical Importance
Manache Ganpati in Pune City
The city of Pune is marked up with five Manache Ganpati, highly respected and honoured idols. The first one is “Kasba Ganpati” which originated in the era of Shivaji Maharaj near the house of Vinayak Thakar. The second one is “Tambdi Jogeshwari”. The third one is “Guruji Talim Ganpati”, the most revered and unique one since it has been established by Hindu and Muslim families as the symbol of unity. The fourth one is “Tulsibagh Ganpati”, the first to establish a Glass Fiber statue with a tall structure and loaded with jewelleries. The fifth and last one “Kesari Wada Ganpati was installed by the founder of the Ganpati Festival, Lokmanya Tilak, at his own house, Kesari Wada.
Artistic Brilliance
Craftsmen begin their painstaking process of sculpting clay into complex sculptures months before the event. The highly embellished attire, jewelry, and subtle facial expressions that depict Ganesha’s goodness are astounding in their attention to detail. The exceptional craftsmanship demonstrated in the creation of Ganesh idols forms the core of the Ganpati Festival in Pune. Local artists painstakingly create idols ranging from tiny forms for the home to gigantic ones that engulf public areas, often according to familial traditions passed down through the years. These idols exhibit a beautifully balanced fusion of conventional aesthetics and modern creativity. As the celebration gets closer, ‘pandals,’ or transient pavilions, are erected around the city to host these idols.
Celebration
Ganesha statues are placed in houses and pandals to mark the beginning of the celebration. People from many backgrounds have gathered to celebrate in an environment that is electrifying and characterized by a strong feeling of solidarity. The massive processions called ‘Miravnuk’ that take place during the Ganpati Festival in Pune are among its most fascinating features. As idols are paraded around the city, the streets come alive with music, dance, and vivid decorations. These processions, which are accompanied by bands of drummers called Dhol Tasha Pathaks, fervent followers, are evidence of the city’s strong sense of community and faith. In recent years, environmental concerns have risen, and since then, eco-friendly measures have taken place. The craftsmen advised using water-soluble paints; idols are made up of natural materials.
ALSO READ – Where to get Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idol in Pune?
Ruchi, a utopian thinker, has a passion to write and express her thoughts through writing. Constantly seeking knowledge and embracing new experiences. She worked in multiple domains of writing and has a passion for capturing moments through the lens.
