Pune: Prominent mandals and authorities have doubled their efforts to ensure the Ganapati visarjan procession is conducted smoothly and on schedule on Saturday, with state director general of police Rashmi Shukla and other senior officers assessing the law and order arrangements on Friday.In sync with tradition, the Manache Ganpatis will lead the immersion procession. Kasba Ganapati will be at the head starting at 9am, followed by Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug and Kesariwada. Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati will also join drawing the massive crowds that it does.President of Kasba Ganapati Shrikant Shete said coordination with authorities had started well in advance. “Mandals of the five Manache Ganapatis of Pune had discussions with police, municipal officials and other authorities two months before the festival to ensure everything goes smoothly. We stand united in our efforts to make sure there are no delays, especially since the festival crowds are at their peak this year. We encourage everyone to be safe while we bid adieu to Bappa in Puneri tradition.”The Dagdusheth Halwai Mandal also aims to maintain discipline. Treasurer Mahesh Suryavanshi said, “We will have the final pooja, aarti and other rituals at the temple before placing the idol on the rath for the procession at 4pm. It will take three-and-half hours from Belbaug Chowk to Alka Chowk. People come from all over for the final darshan, but we will try and ensure there is no delay.”In a notable shift, more mandals have opted for traditional dhol-tasha troupes. President of the Dhol Tasha Mahasangh Parag Thakur said, “There is a 30% increase in the number of mandals choosing dhol-tasha troupes over DJs and loudspeakers in the visarjan procession as compared to last year. We will ensure the everything goes smoothly.”Some mandals are taking the quieter and socially conscious route. President of Adarsh Mitra Mandal in Dhankawdi Uday Jagtap said, “Earlier, our visarjan procession would go all the way to Katraj, but we have restricted it to a 1km stretch between Dhankawdi bus stop and Gulabnagar for the last eight years. There will be no cultural performances. Instead, we are using Rs1 lakh to build another home for menstruating women who are sent to the jungle for four days in Gadchiroli. We have already built a shelter with facilities so that they can stay with dignity and are constructing a second one.”Camp’s Hind Tarun Mandal will tone down its usual display following bereavement in the family of a key member. “Our procession will start at 5.30pm and conclude by midnight,” said mandal president Dilip Giramkar.Meanwhile, households are also preparing to immerse their idols. Swati Kulkarni of Sadashiv Peth said, “We are a big joint family and visarjan is emotional for us. After the aarti at home, we will take the idol in a small procession with music and dancing to the immersion tank.”Rohit Deshmukh of Kharadi said, “We always go in a group of 10 to 12 people to watch the visarjan procession at Laxmi Road. The atmosphere is electric.”Neha Jaipuri recently moved to Pune from Delhi. She said, “We brought home a Ganapati idol for the first time. On visarjan day, we will be going with our friends and neighbours to immerse it. The festival has brought us closer as a community. Later, we will all go for the procession to Laxmi Road by Metro and spend the evening watching the festivities.”Police have deployed additional personnel to manage crowds and traffic. Shukla was satisfied with the preparations at the review meeting and instructed units to remain vigilant, emphasising crowd management to prevent stampedes and ensure a peaceful farewell. The meeting was attended by Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Pimpri Chinchwad police commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey and Pune Rural police superintendent Sandeep Singh Gill, among other senior officers.Mandal leaders have coordinated to avoid delays at designated halts. With massive crowds expected, organisers hope this year’s visarjan will be remembered for its discipline and timely movement in true Puneri spirit.(Input by Asseem Shaikh)
