Pune: Soldiers of the 6 Maratha Battalion of the Indian Army, who regularly come to pay worship to the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati in Pune now have set up a symbolic replica of Dagdusheth temple idol in Jammu and Kashmir.
A beautiful temple for Lord Ganesha has been built in Kanjalwan village in Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir and an idol of Lord Ganesha has recently been installed in the temple.
The fame of rich Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is spread not only in Maharashtra but across the globe. The devotees come to Pune from all over the country to pay obeisance to beloved Bappa.
The Battalion expressed their wish to set up a symbolic replica idol of Shri Dagdusheth in Jammu and Kashmir. Commanding Officer Colonel Vinod Patil had sent a letter to the Trust's Chairman Ashok Godse requesting for the same.
Accordingly, the Dagdusheth Trust, in obedience to the wishes of the Battalion, agreed to provide a symbolic idol of the lord and the idol was sent to Kashmir recently. Colonel Vinod Patil inaugurated the concept and the temple in November 2019.
Colonel Vinod Patil said in the letter that all the jawans of the Battalion contributed wholeheartedly and enthusiastically for the construction of the temple. When the construction of the temple began, there was about 4 to 5 feet of snow at the temple site. Later, between November and February, the snow increased to 12 feet. But the jawans started the work realising the primary duty of Lord Ganesha.
The jawans also contributed financially for it. The wood of the pine tree has been used in the decoration of the temple premises. The temple is a beautiful confluence of devotion, perseverance and art. Pooja and religious programs are held daily in the temple. He expressed the belief that the bravery of the soldiers would be enhanced by visiting the temple.
Mahesh Suryavanshi, Treasurer, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Public Ganpati Trust, Pune said, "Soldiers from all the states of the country are working in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, all the soldiers will get the blessings of Bappa and the beauty of this temple will be enhanced due to the magnificent idol.”
“For this, as per the wishes of the soldiers, the trust gave a two and a half feet Ganesh idol as a gift for this temple. Since 2011, the 6 Maratha Battalion and Dagdusheth Ganpati Trust have been closely associated. So the trust decided to send the idol as a gift in honour of their request. The 36-inch fibreglass idol was handed over to the soldiers in June after performing rituals at the Dagdusheth Ganapati temple. Today on the occasion of Vinayak Chaturthi the idol will be placed today in the temple and will be open to all,” he added.