Some journeys are planned months in advance, while others remain on your wish list for years until the right opportunity finally arrives. For me, being a part of the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Pune was one such long-awaited experience. In 2015, I finally got the chance to witness this spectacular celebration—and it turned out to be a day filled with devotion, tradition, music, colour and incredible energy.
The Journey from Mumbai to Pune
Our day began early. We boarded the Intercity Express from Mumbai at around 6:40 a.m. and reached Pune at approximately 10:30 a.m.
After a quick breakfast at a local eatery, we headed towards Laxmi Road, one of the main areas associated with Pune's grand Ganesh processions.
The moment we reached, we knew we were in for something extraordinary.
A huge welcome rangoli had been created at the centre, setting the tone for the festivities that lay ahead.
The Tradition of the Five Manache Ganapatis
The public celebration of Ganesh festival in Maharashtra has a strong connection with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who helped transform the festival into a platform for community gathering and social participation.
Pune's Ganeshotsav is particularly renowned for its five Manache Ganapatis—the five traditionally honoured Ganapati mandals:
- Kasba Ganapati
- Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganapati
- Guruji Talim Ganapati
- Tulshibaug Ganapati
- Kesariwada Ganapati
These five Ganapatis occupy a special place in Pune's Ganeshotsav traditions.
We were on the road to witness the charisma of these five revered Ganapatis. Thousands of eyes seemed to be focused in one direction, waiting for the next procession to appear.
And then, just in time, we reached to wave goodbye to the first Ganapati.
When the Dhols Take Over
If there is one sound that defines the atmosphere of Pune's Ganesh Visarjan, it has to be the dhol.
Each Ganapati procession is traditionally accompanied by a Dhol Pathak—a drum troupe whose powerful beats become the heartbeat of the celebration.
The traditional attire added another dimension to the spectacle. Women dressed in colourful Nauvari sarees, while men wore traditional kurtas and other festive attire.
Every Dhol Pathak seemed to have its own distinctive style and identity.
As the first beats began, people started dancing. With every successive beat, the energy of the crowd seemed to rise.
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| Pune’s Iconic Dhol Pathak (Drum troupes) |
The streets were packed with thousands of people, all moving, dancing and celebrating together.
The Dhol Pathaks were undoubtedly among the highlights of the day.
There was something majestic about watching these groups perform in perfect rhythm. Their traditional costumes, disciplined formations and powerful drumming created an atmosphere that felt almost timeless.
For a moment, it seemed as though the grandeur and spirit of Maharashtra's historical past had come alive on the streets.
The traditional way of all the five grand processions was electric.
As the dhol beats grew louder, the excitement in the crowd reached another level. People waited with their heads turned towards the road, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the next Pathak.
It was impossible not to get swept up in the atmosphere.
More Than Just a Procession
The procession was not only about music and celebration.
Some groups used the occasion to communicate social messages through costumes, banners, hoardings and placards. For them, the procession became a platform to share ideas and messages with the thousands of people gathered along the streets.
It was fascinating to see how tradition, entertainment and social messaging came together in one enormous public celebration.
A Break from the Crowd
By afternoon, the sun was high and our energy levels were beginning to drop.
We decided to take a break and returned to a local eatery. After resting for a while, we headed towards the river near the bridge where Ganesh idols were traditionally immersed.
That year, the Pune Municipal Corporation had made arrangements for immersing idols in specially prepared water tanks, encouraging people to avoid immersions directly in the river.
However, some devotees still preferred the traditional river immersion.
Standing near the river, watching devotees carry their idols towards the immersion points, brought a quieter and more reflective mood to the day.
After hours of drums, dancing and crowds, this part of the celebration felt deeply devotional.
When Night Falls, Pune Comes Alive Again
As daylight slowly faded, Pune's Ganesh pandals began to glow under colourful lights.
The atmosphere changed once again.
Every Pathak seemed to have a theme, and the illuminated surroundings added a completely different character to the celebrations.
The crowd became even thicker.
The sounds became louder.
And Bollywood music joined the already powerful rhythm of the dhols.
People danced with renewed energy, seemingly forgetting the exhaustion of the long day.
We joined them for a few more hours, soaking in the music, lights and infectious enthusiasm of the celebration.
A Day to Remember
Eventually, after hours of walking, watching processions, listening to dhols and dancing with the crowds, it was time for us to leave.
And so, in 2015, a long-awaited wish finally came true.
We had experienced Pune's Ganesh Visarjan—and what a celebration it was!
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!
