Over 9,600 Idols Immersed in Pune, PMC Encourages Idol Donations and Distributes Organic Fertilizers
Over 9,600 Idols Immersed in Pune, PMC Encourages Idol Donations and Distributes Organic Fertilizers
September 13, 2024
Pune: On Thursday, numerous devotees from around the city participated in the immersion of their Ganapati idols as part of the ongoing Ganeshotsav celebrations.
According to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), by 8 PM, a total of 9,657 idols had been immersed in civic areas, marking the third significant visarjan during the 11-day Ganesh festival. Among these, 509 were immersed in concrete tanks, while 8,172 were placed in temporary iron tanks set up by the civic body. Additionally, devotees contributed 976 idols as part of eco-friendly festival efforts.
Gauri Puja, a cherished event honoring goddess Gauri, is celebrated over three days during Ganeshotsav. It was observed with great enthusiasm and devotion, particularly by women across various neighborhoods in the city.
Several community gatherings organized by women also took place.
Ganeshotsav commenced on September 7 this year. The first immersion of the festival occurred after a celebration lasting one and a half days, on Sunday, when around 958 idols were immersed by devotees. The second major visarjan took place on Wednesday during the fifth day of the festival.
According to the PMC, all necessary preparations for the annual celebration, which is widely observed in Pune, have been completed. The civic administration plans to collect nirmalya at 250 locations throughout the city. PMC officials mentioned that over 600 tanks, including temporary ones, have been set up for idol immersion.
Sandip Kadam, head of the PMC’s solid waste management department, stated, “The civic administration is encouraging devotees to celebrate an eco-friendly Ganesh festival.”
An initiative has been launched to encourage the donation of idols. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to distribute bags of organic fertilizer to promote idol donations following a symbolic immersion. The PMC aims to provide these bags to approximately 15,000 devotees.
According to civic data, around 450,000 idols are immersed each year in various areas of Pune during the Ganesh festival.
