Grand procession bids emotional farewell to Pune’s Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati
Thousands gather in Pune for the grand immersion procession of India’s first public Ganpati, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, amidst dhol-tasha beats.
The city of Pune witnessed a deeply moving spectacle as thousands of devotees gathered to bid farewell to Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati. Regarded as India’s very first public Ganpati, the idol was taken in a massive, rhythmic procession before being immersed in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Amidst thunderous dhol-tasha beats, showers of flower petals, and the soul-stirring chants of “Morya Morya,” the atmosphere was a blend of intense devotion and the sadness of parting. The idol, carried atop the magnificently decorated ‘Shri Vighnaharta Rath’, moved through the streets as crowds lined the routes to catch a final glimpse of the deity.
A Night of Tradition and Grandeur
The farewell journey commenced around 9 pm on Friday. The procession was led by Punit Balan, trustee of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Trust, who guided the decorated chariot. The spiritual rituals began earlier that morning, around 7:30 am, with a special aarti performed by Dr. Bhavarth Dekhne, chief trustee of Alandi Devasthan, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishikesh Rawale.
Following long-standing traditions, the chariot departed from the Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham Temple at 8 am, heading towards the Tilak statue at Mandai. During this journey, Balan performed the customary offering of floral garlands to Pune’s five most revered Ganpati idols at the statue.
Martial Arts and Rhythmic Beats
As the night progressed, the energy reached new heights. At Belbag Chowk, the procession was preceded by a statue of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, featuring a mounted nagada. The cultural richness of the event was highlighted by:
- ShivYoddha Mardani Akhada: Performing traditional martial arts displays.
- Dhol-Tasha Groups: Including Yuva Vadyapathak, Shri Ram, and Ramanbaug, who maintained a relentless, rhythmic heartbeat for the procession.
- Visual Spectacles: Cold-fire illumination on the Rath and continuous flower showers from devotees and volunteers along the route.
The Final Journey to Immersion
By 3:30 am, the chariot reached Tilak Chowk, where a sea of devotees had gathered for darshan. Additional Commissioner of Police Tejaswini Satpute performed the aarti before the deity was moved toward the final immersion site. The emotional journey concluded at 4:01 am, when the idol was immersed in the municipal tank at the Panchaleshwar immersion ghat.
Reflecting on the event, Punit Balan noted that while there was a sense of melancholy following the farewell, the spirit of the festival remained high. He addressed a slight delay in the procession, explaining that they joined the route on Laxmi Road after receiving necessary permissions from the police administration.
“The immersion procession of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Trust’s Ganpati Bappa was conducted with the same enthusiasm and grandeur as every year,” Balan stated. He expressed his gratitude to the Pune Municipal Corporation, the police, and the volunteers for ensuring a peaceful celebration and noted that preparations for next year’s Ganeshotsav would begin immediately with fresh ideas.