Pune: 150 Sunday Hikers Embark On Devotional Ganesh Darshan At City’s Revered Mandals
Pune: 150 Sunday Hikers Embark On Devotional Ganesh Darshan At City’s Revered Mandals
Pune, September 4, 2025: The Sunday Hikers group, usually known for trekking mountains and exploring nature, walked a different path today — one of devotion, discipline, and togetherness. From children as young as five to seniors aged seventy-five, over 150 members of the group set out early in the morning to seek blessings at Pune’s five revered Ganesh mandals. The air was filled with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, echoing joy, faith, and unity.
The gathering began at 5:45 am at the District Court Metro Station, where members from across the city assembled. Preparations had been underway for two weeks, with area heads coordinating to ensure smooth participation. Members helped each other with Pune’s traditional feta turbans, sipped amruttulya chai, and shared smiles of devotion as they embarked on the journey.
The group traveled by metro, raising slogans that filled the stations with festive energy. The real pilgrimage began at Kasba Ganpati, Pune’s Gramdaivat established by Jijabai. From there, they visited Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati, Mandai’s Jilbya Maruti, Tambdi Jogeshwari, the unity-inspired Guruji Talim Mandal, the grand Tulshibaug Ganpati, and finally the historic Kesariwada Ganpati, linked with Lokmanya Tilak and India’s freedom movement.
At Kesariwada, the Vishnu Naad conch group created a divine atmosphere with their rhythmic sounds, leaving participants spellbound. Members described the experience as a blend of history, culture, and spirituality.
The disciplined organization ensured a smooth darshan with no chaos. For Sunday Hikers, this was not just a devotional journey but a celebration of unity across generations, binding the group like a family.
Founded in January 2022 by Mr. Anand Ankam, Sunday Hikers is more than a trekking group — it is a family united by love for nature, fitness, and harmony. Every Sunday, they explore forts and trails around Pune, nurturing health, joy, and togetherness.
This Ganesh Darshan was a memorable extension of their bond — where devotion met discipline, and love for Bappa added new meaning to their journey.
