Pune witnessed a huge turnout on Friday (September 13) night as people gathered in large numbers in the city’s central areas to view the grand Ganesh festival displays.

Families from both Pune and the surrounding suburbs took advantage of the long weekend, which includes Saturday (September 14), Sunday, and Monday (Eid-e-Milad), to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Streets in the central parts of the city, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, Bajirao Road, and Tilak Road, were closed to traffic from the evening due to the overwhelming crowds.

By midnight, roads were packed with devotees eager to witness the famous displays created by prominent mandals such as Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, Akhil Mandai Mandal, and Hutatma Babu Genu Mandal.

The themes presented by various groups, such as the Vrindavan scene by Shanipar Mandal, the Shiva-Parvati wedding by Navjawan Mandal, and the Durga temple by Chhatrapati Rajaram Mandal, drew large crowds.

In addition, young people flocked to see the dazzling illuminations set up by mandals like Natu Baug and Chimanya Ganpati on Bajirao Road.

The large number of vehicles brought by festival-goers only exacerbated the already congested roads, leading to severe traffic jams. Police officers deployed at key intersections struggled to manage the traffic and the growing number of visitors.

The situation was further complicated by the performances of traditional drum and Tasha bands in front of the mandals, which created additional bottlenecks in the central areas.

Despite the traffic chaos, the mood remained festive, with devotees chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya" and the streets resounding with a sense of devotion and celebration. The traffic congestion lasted well into the night as people continued to arrive to witness the stunning displays.