Pune: On the evening of September 3, Pune women attempted a Guinness World Record for the most people performing diya rotations simultaneously during Ganesh aarti. The gathering took place at the Dhole Patil Education Society (DPES) campus in Kharadi, where 1,724 women stood together with lit diyas to perform the ritual in unison, following stringent Guinness World Records guidelines.The attempt was led by DPES Chairman Sagar Ulhas Dhole Patil and saw participation from Indian and international students, faculty members, and devotees from across the city. Adjudicator Swapnil Dangrikar and facilitator Milind Verlekar from Guinness World Records were present to oversee the guidelines and later handed over a provisional certificate of recognition to the organiser.“All documentation was pre-approved, and the attempt was recorded in the presence of appointed witnesses, including the head priest of Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, to ensure that the religious ritual was done correctly. There was one stewardess appointed for every 100 participants to ensure everything was carried out according to Guinness regulations. The provisional certificate has been handed over, and after verification in the UK, which will take a few days, the record will reflect on the Guinness World Records website,” said Verlekar.Sagar Dhole Patil said, “Lord Ganesh is known to be the ‘Vighna Vinashak’, a destroyer of all adversities. So, we wish to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh for universal peace. With this Guinness World Record, we intend to spread this message of peace globally,” he said.
