Pune: The streets of Pimpri-Chinchwad came alive today with the resounding beats of drums, vibrant electric lights, and mesmerizing tableaux as the Ganesh immersion procession commenced at 4 PM.
Thousands of citizens lined both sides of the road to witness the spectacle, with continuous chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" echoing in the air.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh and Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey, established a welcome desk at Chapekar Chowk to greet the various Ganesh mandals.
Senior civic officials, including Deputy Commissioner Swapna Gore and Additional Commissioners Pradeep Jambhale-Patil and Vijay Kumar Khorate, were also present to ensure the smooth execution of the event.
The Girijat Friends Mandal from Anandnagar was among the first to start their procession at 4 PM, with a stunning chariot depicting Kolhapur's Ambabai.
Children dressed as traditional devotees and cymbal players added to the festive atmosphere. At 8 PM, the Anandnagar Friends Mandal's chariot arrived at the main procession point, accompanied by music and dance.
The Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Mitra Mandal showcased a tableau of Lord Vitthal with their drum-and-cymbal team leading the way. Meanwhile, the Tarun Friends Mandal added a spiritual touch by showering holy powder during their palanquin procession.
The Gandhi Peth Talim Mitra Mandal, along with the Shivdarshan drum-and-cymbal team, presented a captivating tableau of the Shriram Moraya Darbar.
Other notable mandals included Munjoba Mitra Mandal, who crafted a chariot of Shiv-Parvati, and the Kalbhairavnath Mitra Mandal, whose ‘Ramrath’ chariot conveyed a river conservation message, declaring, "Pavanamai, our mother, we are her protectors."
The Gajaksh drum-and-cymbal team and a 150-member team from Jnana Prabodhini impressed onlookers with their synchronized performances.
Pimpri’s immersion began with the Five Star Tarun Mandal, followed by idols from several others, including Morya Mitra Mandal, Shiv Shambho Mitra Mandal, and Nav Chaitanya Tarun Mandal. The immersion process, expected to continue through the night, reflects the deep devotion and cultural pride of the city's residents.
