HERITAGE WALK OF PUNE GANESH FESTIVAL WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Heritage Walk of Pune Ganesh Festival with International Students

On 14^th September 2024, the Global Ganesh Festival Team had organised a heritage walk of  the largest festival in the world for the international students of MIT-WPU, to give them a glimpse of this beautiful concoction of culture that is Pune’s Ganesh Festival.  35 international students and 20 volunteer students from MIT-WPU along with co-ordinating faculties were invited and graced the occasion.

The walk started at Trischunda Ganpati Mandir in Somwar Peth where the students first did aarti. This was followed by Dhol Taasha vadan. Trischunda means having three trunks. Trischunda Ganpati is the only temple in Pune where the idol of Ganpati Bappa has three trunks.  And then after grooving to the beats of dhol and tasha, there was a courageous display of Traditional Marathi Martial Arts or Mardaani khel and one of the martial artists was Anna Mara, an Italian  national who has absolutely perfected herself in these martial arts. After a quick snack break the whole troupe walked to the Kasba Ganpati Mandir. Kasba Ganpati the most honoured Ganpati temple in Pune and is given the first position in the hierarchy of the ‘Maanache Ganpati’.  After darshan at Kasba Ganpati, the group went on to visit the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati pandal. This speciality of this temple is the idol which unlike other Ganesha idols is in a warrior form. Bappa aboard his Mushak Wahan is seen in an aggressive stance, ready to destroy all the evil.

After a lunch break the walk continued to Mandal Ganpati near the Shaniwar Wada. Then to the revered Shrimant Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Mandir. This temple is known for its grandeur and extravagant dekhave or decorations during the festival. This year as well they have put up a huge replica of the Jatoli Shiva Mandir situated in Himachal Pradesh. The group further continued the walk to Mandai Ganpati Temple. This Bappa is also referred to as Sharda Ganpati as Bappa here seen along with Goddess Sharada. Then a small Warli Painting workshop was conducted in which all the international student heartily took part and the heritage walk concluded. Ganesh Festival being the largest festival, covering everything in one was an impossible task, hence the team tried to cover as much as possible.

During the whole walk the entire team of Global Ganesh Festival made sure of the safety and comfort of the students and in India we all believe in ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’ meaning for us Guests to us are like Gods and are treated as such. The students eagerly took part in the aartis conducted and also the chanting of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’.

– Shruti Ghanpathi