A dhol-tasha procession on Laxmi Road on Monday
Pune: Chants of “Ganapati Bappa Morya” rose across Pune on Monday morning as homes, neighbourhoods and mandals welcomed Ganapati with processions, music and rituals for the city’s favourite festival. In NIBM, Preeti Shah said children were particularly excited to be part of the celebrations. That is what brings the festive feeling home,” she said. Nitin Jaipuria said the society had remained conscious of noise levels while retaining the traditional enthusiasm of the occasion. “We had a dhol-tasha group for bringing Ganapati for sthapana, but it consisted of only five people,” he said.
From the grand arrival of the Dagdusheth Ganapati and the five manache Ganapatis to smaller society processions with children and neighbours joining in, the mood through the day was one of celebration and community. For many, however, the festival’s emotional centre remained close to home. In housing societies across the city, families and neighbours gathered around their idols, turning the arrival and installation into community occasions. “We brought Bappa home with a lot of fervour, neighbours and children chanting as the idol arrived. In Bhavani Peth, residents chose to keep their musical celebrations measured.