Ganpati – Pune Mandal Unveils Shree Ganesh Swarnadham Theme for 135th Ganeshotsav
Ganpati – Ganeshotsav preparations have begun at Pune’s historic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, which has announced ‘Shree Ganesh Swarnadham’ as the theme for this year’s festival. The theme was unveiled on Kranti Din along with the traditional Vasa Pujan ceremony for the 135th Ganeshotsav mandap. The event brought together police officials, trustees, dignitaries, office-bearers and volunteers as the mandal began preparations for another edition of its long-standing public festival.
Traditional Vasa Pujan Marks Festival Preparations
The Vasa Pujan ceremony was conducted on Sunday by Pune Police Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-1, Krushikesh Rawale, Ashokbhai Shah of Ashok Electricals and festival chief and trustee Punit Balan. The ceremony followed the mandal’s established traditions and formally marked the beginning of preparations for this year’s Ganeshotsav.
The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal holds a significant place in Pune’s public Ganeshotsav history. Bhausaheb Rangari is credited with helping take the festival beyond its religious roots by linking it with social awareness and national consciousness. The mandal also became associated with revolutionaries during India’s freedom struggle and remained a place of faith and inspiration during that period.
Theme Focuses on Respect for Parents
This year’s decoration, titled ‘Shree Ganesh Swarnadham’, has been conceptualised around the divine abode of Lord Ganesha, the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Alongside its religious setting, the theme draws attention to traditional Indian values associated with respecting and expressing gratitude towards parents.
The decoration seeks to communicate the importance of honouring one’s mother and father. Through the presentation, organisers intend to highlight the values of gratitude, family respect and the traditional principle of giving parents a place of honour in one’s life.
Punit Balan Highlights Religious Traditions
Punit Balan said the Vasa Pujan and decoration unveiling were deliberately held on Kranti Din this year. He described ‘Shree Ganesh Swarnadham’ as a fictional theme that would be presented while maintaining the religious sanctity, purity and traditions associated with the festival.
Balan also announced that, as in the previous year, the mandal would organise a DJ-free Ganeshotsav and Dahi Handi celebration. The decision reflects the organisers’ emphasis on conducting the festivities within the traditional framework they have followed.
DCP Rawale Praises Festival Discipline
Krushikesh Rawale said he felt honoured to perform the Vasa Pujan for the 135th Ganeshotsav mandap of the historic mandal. He recalled attending the festival organised by the mandal last year and said the enthusiasm of its volunteers and the discipline observed during the immersion procession demonstrated why Pune’s Ganeshotsav is regarded as distinctive.
Rawale expressed his appreciation to the trust for giving him the opportunity to participate in the traditional ceremony.
Religious and Cultural Events Planned
The 135th Ganeshotsav will include a range of religious and cultural programmes. The ‘Shree Ganesh Swarnadham’ decoration is expected to be one of the key attractions for devotees, combining the mandal’s historical legacy with its religious traditions and a message focused on the importance of parents.
Several dignitaries, mandal office-bearers and volunteers attended the Vasa Pujan and theme unveiling. The ceremony took on a festive character with dhol-tasha performances and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” marking the start of preparations for the upcoming Ganeshotsav.