Pune: The Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust has announced that they will continue the tradition of participating in the immersion procession on the first day (Anant Chaturdashi) at 4 PM, as established last year.

This decision was confirmed by Mahesh Suryavanshi, Treasurer, and Hemant Rasane, General Secretary of the Trust, during a press conference on Friday (August 30).

Schedule:

• On Sunday, 8th September, at 6 AM, a collective Atharvashirsha chanting by 31,000 women will be held in observance of Rishi Panchami.

• Devotional songs by Warkaris through 'Hari Jagar' will take place from 10 PM to midnight.

• Daily Maha Abhishek Puja will be performed starting at 5 AM.

• A collective Satyavinayak Puja is scheduled for 16th September.

• The 'Jai Ganesh Arogya Seva Abhiyan' will include centers at three locations, free ambulance services, and ICU facilities near the temple.

• An insurance cover of ₹50 crore will be provided for Ganesh devotees.

• For security, 150 CCTV cameras will be installed.

Trust officials, including President Manik Chavan and Vice President Sunil Rasane, emphasized that the decision to keep the same timing was made considering the sentiments of volunteers, citizens, and the importance of preserving religious traditions.

Support for this decision has also come from the police, administrative authorities, citizens, and other Ganesh Mandals.

In its 132nd year, the Ganesh festival will feature a replica of the Jatoli Shiva Temple from Himachal Pradesh, crafted by the Trust and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal. The installation of Lord Ganesha will be conducted by Shri Gyanraj Maharaj Manikprabhu from the Shri Datta Sampradaya at Humanabad on Saturday, 7th September at 11:11 AM.

A procession of Lord Ganesha in a lion chariot will precede the installation, starting at 8:30 AM from the main temple. The temple’s illumination will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, at 7 PM.