Pune: Despite Early Start, Ganesh Visarjan Concludes After 34 Hours
Pune: Despite Early Start, Ganesh Visarjan Concludes After 34 Hours
Pune, September 8, 2025: The Ganesh immersion procession in Pune city this year stretched to a record 34 hours, despite beginning earlier than usual on Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the 10-day Ganeshotsav.
The grand procession began around 9.30 am on Saturday with the rituals of the first manache (prominent) Ganpati, the Kasba Ganpati Mandal, and ended with the immersion of Amarjyot Mitra Mandal’s idol around 8.15 pm on Sunday, according to Pune Fire Brigade officials.
However, Pune police reported that the immersion concluded earlier, at 6 pm on Sunday, taking 32 hours and 26 minutes.
Longer Than Previous Years
The duration exceeded last year’s procession, which lasted 28 hours and 45 minutes, and was also longer than the 30 hours and 25 minutes in 2023 and 31 hours in 2022.
This year’s start was marked by a dispute when some Ganesh mandals insisted on beginning at 7 am, before the five Manache Ganpati. They claimed delays were caused by the prominent mandals, forcing smaller groups to wait until late night. With the intervention of Pune MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, BJP MLA Hemant Rasane, and police officials, the matter was resolved, and it was decided that the Kasba Ganpati Mandal would lead the procession.
Order of Immersions
Police said Kasba Ganpati’s idol was immersed at 3.47 pm, followed by Tambdi Jogeshwari (4.10 pm), Guruji Talim Mandal (4.34 pm), Tulshibaug Ganpati (4.58 pm), and Kesari Wada Ganpati (5.38 pm) at Panchaleshwar Ghat. Last year, the Manache Ganpati immersions went on till 7.38 pm.
The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh Mandal’s procession began at 3.45 pm on Saturday and concluded the same day at 9.23 pm at Panchaleshwar Ghat.
Other mandals completed immersion in the early hours of Sunday:
- Hutatma Babu Genu Mandal at 2.25 am
- Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal at 2.40 am
- Akhil Mandai Mandal at 3.28 am
- Shri Jilbya Maruti Mandal Trust at 3.47 am
The last idol, of Amarjyot Mitra Mandal, was immersed by Sunday evening.
Cultural Highlights
The immersion procession featured several attractions, including a Varaha Avatar performance by Taal Vadya Pathak at Tambdi Jogeshwari Mandal and a Mallakhamb act by Swa-roopwardhinee at Tulsibaug Ganpati Mandal. As always, Guruji Talim Mandal activists showered gulal, while numerous dhol-tasha pathaks delivered energetic beats along the routes.
Police and Security Measures
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the priority was to maintain law and order rather than finish the procession earlier than previous years. He praised the police for effective management, highlighting the use of mobile surveillance vehicles, CCTVs, drones, and modern equipment.
Kumar also noted that Pune Metro services helped ease congestion, particularly at Alka Chowk, where huge crowds gathered.
Misbehaviour with Journalists
The immersion was largely peaceful, but some incidents of misbehaviour with media persons were reported.
A woman journalist alleged that around 8 pm on Saturday, near Budhwar Chowk, members of a dhol-tasha pathak touched her inappropriately and slapped her colleague. A complaint has been filed at Faraskhana police station naming the group.
Another group misbehaved with press photographers on Saturday morning, while some journalists also reported being manhandled by police personnel.
The Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) condemned these incidents and has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging action. They also submitted complaints to the Pune Police Commissioner, demanding legal proceedings against the culprits.
