Pune: The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust has announced a significant change to its 133-year-old tradition by deciding not to use bulls for the chariots in the Ganpati’s arrival and immersion processions. This decision, made to prevent harm to the animals, was confirmed by festival head and trustee Punit Balan.

The announcement was made during the inauguration ceremony of the festival pavilion, officiated by Additional Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma. During his speech, Punit Balan revealed that this year's decoration theme would be "Varad Vighneshwar Wada."

"For the first time since 1892, the Trust decided not to use bull pairs for the arrival and immersion processions of the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati. The delay in the immersion procession causes suffering to the bulls pulling the chariots. To prevent harm to these mute animals, the decision was made.

Hence, during the arrival procession, the chariot of Bappa will be pulled by the Trust's workers and devotees. A special chariot will be prepared for the immersion procession, in which the deity's procession will take place," Balan stated.

Additional CP Sharma said, "Any work begins with the worship of Lord Ganesha, the revered deity of Hindustan. The public Ganeshotsav started by Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari has now reached across the seas.

Ganeshotsav is not limited to any caste or religion; everyone participates with enthusiasm. Therefore, the upcoming festival should be celebrated with excitement. The Pune police are ready to provide any necessary assistance for this festival, he added.

Present at the event were Zone One Deputy Police Commissioner Sandeep Singh Gill, Senior Police Inspector of Vishrambaug Police Station Vijaymala Pawar, President of Tulshibaug Ganesh Mandal Vikas Pawar, Treasurer Nitin Pandit, Vice President Vinayak Kadam, along with Trust President Sanjeev Jawale, other office bearers, and volunteers. The program was hosted by Milind Kulkarni.