Mumbai
oi-Swastika Sruti
On Sunday, there were huge numbers of devotees in Pune for their participation in Ganeshotsav festival because it was a holiday and devotees arrived not only from Pune but also from surrounding rural villages and other states.
Pune’s Ganeshotsav festival saw large crowds on Sunday at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, forming a 500-meter queue and viewing a 135-foot Prem Mandir replica. MNS leader Amit Thackeray visited local mandals, advocating traditional music and praying for Raj Thackeray’s Chief Minister candidacy.
A huge crowd of devotees was seen at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple where devotees started queueing since morning for darshan of Bappa.
500-Metre Queue Outside Dagdusheth Ganapati Temple
The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati is among the most prominent Ganesh idols in Pune, attracting thousands of devotees during the festival.
On Sunday, a long queue stretching to around 500 metres was seen outside the main temple. Devotees waited patiently for their turn to offer prayers and seek blessings.
The festival has also attracted visitors interested in seeing the decorations and themes created by different Ganesh mandals across Pune.
135-Foot Replica Of Vrindavan’s Prem Mandir
One of the main highlights of this year is the amazing decoration that has been done by Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandal.
This mandal has erected a 135-feet tall model of the famous temple called Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan. This has become one of the main highlights of this year’s Ganeshotsav celebration in Pune.
This model has been decorated with beautiful lighting, thereby making it a festive site for the visitors. Devotees who come to visit the city also make sure that they pay a visit to various mandals to watch their decorations.
Amit Thackeray Visits Pune Ganesh Mandals
MNS leader Amit Thackeray also visited several Ganesh mandals in Pune on Sunday and offered prayers. He visited the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati wearing a traditional turban. Speaking about the celebrations, Thackeray said he was happy to see Ganeshotsav being celebrated with the same enthusiasm associated with the festival in earlier years.
He also spoke in favour of traditional musical instruments such as dhol and tasha, saying he prefers them over DJs during the festival.
During his visit, several devotees and young people gathered around him and clicked selfies. Speaking to ABP Majha, Thackeray described the public response as their love and said he felt fortunate to receive it.
Amit Thackeray Says He Prayed For Raj Thackeray To Become CM
Amit Thackeray has also talked about problems related to farmers and drought in his Pune visit. He stated that visiting temples was not specific to any one occasion for him, and that he felt solving problems of people was of equal importance.
In response to the question regarding his prayers for the Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray, Amit Thackeray did not hold back his answer.
He stated that his prayer was that “Raj Saheb should be made the Chief Minister of the state.”
This statement has provided a political aspect to the visit of Amit Thackeray, which otherwise remained a purely religious one.
