Pune Bids Farewell to Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati in Overnight Procession

Pune brought its Ganeshotsav celebrations to a close in the early hours of Saturday, as the idol of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati — widely regarded as India's first public Ganpati — was immersed at the municipal tank at Panchaleshwar immersion ghat at 4:01 am.

The farewell procession had begun around 9 pm on Friday, with thousands of devotees lining the route for a glimpse of the idol mounted on the decorated 'Shri Vighnaharta Rath'. Punit Balan, festival chief and trustee of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Trust, led the chariot.

Earlier in the day, at about 7:30 am, the idol was worshipped and aarti was performed by Dr Bhavarth Dekhne, chief trustee of Alandi Devasthan, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishikesh Rawale. The chariot left Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham Temple at 8 am for the Tilak statue at Mandai, where Balan offered floral garlands to Pune's five revered Ganpati idols in keeping with tradition.

By around 9:45 pm the procession reached Belbag Chowk, where a statue of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari with a nagada mounted above it led the way. Traditional martial arts performances by ShivYoddha Mardani Akhada accompanied the cavalcade, while Yuva Vadyapathak, Shri Ram and Ramanbaug dhol-tasha groups sustained the rhythm. Devotees and volunteers showered flowers on the chariot at several points, and the cold-fire illumination on the Rath drew attention as the procession wound through the city.

At about 3:30 am the chariot arrived at Tilak Chowk, where a large crowd gathered for darshan and raised chants of "Morya Morya". Additional Commissioner of Police Tejaswini Satpute performed the aarti before the idol was taken to the immersion site.

Reflecting on the event and the road ahead, Balan said the procession had been conducted with the same enthusiasm and grandeur as every year. He noted that the trust had been ready to join at the time given by the police administration but was delayed for certain reasons, and that it joined the procession on Laxmi Road after receiving permission. He added that efforts were made to complete the procession in the shortest possible time.

"There is certainly a sense of sadness after bidding farewell to Bappa. However, we will immediately begin preparations for next year's Ganeshotsav with new ideas," Balan said, thanking the police administration, Pune Municipal Corporation, mandal office-bearers and volunteers for their cooperation in conducting the festival peacefully.