In this post, I have mentioned the top famous Ganpati in Pune city. The 10 days Ganpati festival is the largest celebrated festival in the city of Pune. There is always so much to see, eat and experience. I have combined my years and years of expertise in Ganpati Mandal hopping in Pune so that you have the most of this crazy yearly event.
I grew up in the Pune city and my favourite memory from here has always been the 10 days Ganpati festival. And I still remember how my father held my hand tightly as we walked through the crowds. He enthusiastically showed me the best and most famous Ganpati in Pune. As a kid it was fascinating to look at the larger than life displays and decorations at every Ganpati Pandal in Pune. And even now as a grown-up, that craze hasn’t died down.
This year in 2022 the celebrations are going to be at its peak. That is because there were no celebrations in 2020 due to the covid 19 pandemic, and in 2021 the celebrations were subdued with a lot of rules and regulations. Now with the Covid scare gone each and everyone is looking forward to this amazing event that happens once a year.
Ganesh festival in Pune
If you are new and have no idea what this 10 day Ganesh festival means, below is some background for you.
Lord Ganesha or Ganpati is the god of new beginnings, the god who removes all the obstacles and the god of intelligence. He is also a foodie and enjoys eating sweet Modaks. Ganesh festival in India is a 10 day festival, where people, families and social groups gather together and worship and celebrate this god. People bring the idols of Ganesha and worship them for 10 days, offering different sweets as Nayvedya and flowers. It is a very merry festival, which culminates in Ganpati Visarjan, where these Ganpati idols are immersed in the waters of a river or lake. Huge rallies with a lot of decorations, music, and people are formed on this last day. It is like one large party.
The history of the Ganpati festival
Ganesh festival was first started in Pune by Lokmanya Tilak aka. Bal Gangadhar Tilka. At that time India was fighting for independence from the British rule. And Tilak’s strategy behind starting the festival was to have an excuse for having large public gatherings. It brought all the people together. Fast forward to the present day, Ganesh festival is the largest festive celebration in Pune city, which is even greater than Diwali or Navratri. The Ganpati pandals and decorations not only attract people from Pune city and outskirts, but also from all over Maharashtra. Moreover, people from several other parts of India also visit Pune city specially for this Ganesh festival.
How to visit the famous Ganpati in Pune
There is no specific way or route to be followed to visit the different Ganpati temples in Pune. All of them are located in the heart of the Pune city. But we always followed the following route and it covers the majority of the top Ganpati mandals of Pune. You may follow this same route or come up with something else. The best way to visit them is by walking. Because walking will be definitely faster than getting stuck in traffic jams. The police will even seal off some areas for vehicles in order to manage the crowds.
Entire circuit
Kasba Ganpati Mandir – Tambadi Jogeshwari – Near New Pune Bakery – have a hot veg pattice at the New Pune Bakery here – Guruji Talim – Tulshi Baug cha Ganpati – Dagdusheth Ganpati temple – Babu Genu Ichapurti Ganpati – Mandai cha Ganpati – Jilbya Maruti Mandal – Natu Baug Mandal on Bajirao road – Shanipar cha Ganpati – Nimbalkar Talim – have a Sujata Mastani here – Nearby Nagnath Par – Shagun Chowk – Kesariwada cha Ganpati – Nearby Bhide Pul – Garud Ganpati Mandal – Hatti Ganpati Mandal – saving the best one for the last – Chp. Rajaram Mandal.
Chp Rajaram Mandal has been awarded the best decoration for several years and this is the one Ganpati you cannot afford to miss in Pune city.
If you follow this route you will cover most of the famous ganpati in Pune. Additionally, there will be several small ganpati mandals on every nook and corner on this route. I don’t know the exact names of some of the ganpati mandals in a few places, so I mentioned the nearby landmarks. The decorations and themes change each year, but the most famous Ganpati in Pune remain almost the same every year. Each and every Ganpati is unique in their own way. Take a moment to pray and make a wish.
The Manache Pach or the Top 5 Ganpati in Pune
Historically, since the old times, there have been these top 5 Ganpati ie. the Manache pach Ganpati in Pune city. These top 5 are always given more importance, and they also lead the rallies on Visarjan Day (last day).
No 1. Kasba Ganpati – Manacha Pahila Ganpati
The Kasba Ganpati in Pune is the Gramdaivat of Pune city, which means it is the presiding deity of Pune city. It is also the Manacha Pahila Ganpati which means the first Ganpati of importance in Pune city. This temple was built by Chp. Shivaji Maharaj and Jijabai Bhosale. Needless to say, you must begin your Ganpati hopping in Pune city at this temple. The decorations here are simplistic but still very pretty and eye-catching. Also, make sure to go inside the actual old temple, it is very peaceful. And there will be some colourful rangolis inside.
No 2. Tambi Jogeshwari – Manacha Dusra Ganpati
The Tambi Jogeshwari in Pune is the Gramdevi of Pune city, which means the presiding goddess of Pune city. The Manacha Dusra Ganpati which means the second Ganpati of importance in Pune city is hosted here. The decorations here are also simplistic, but they keep changing them once in a few days. Make sure to visit the ancient Tambadi Jogeshwari temple nearby. This is the temple of the Durga goddess which was established in the 15th century. There will be beautiful flower decorations here.
No 3. Guruji Talim Ganpati – Manacha Teesra Ganpati
Guruji Talim Ganpati is the third Ganpati of importance in Pune city. It is the oldest Ganpati mandal as it was established even before Lokmany Tilak started this festival. The most special fact of this Ganpati is that it was established by a Hindu and a Muslim – Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban. The decorations here are always over the top and very glittery. Foodies must have ice cream at the Kawre ice cream shop or a sandwich at Supreme sandwich which is nearby.
No 4. Tulshi baug cha Ganpati – Manacha Chautha Ganpati
If you are a resident of Pune, then it is better to visit this Ganpati in Pune during the non-rush hours of the early morning. This Ganpati is located inside a very busy market area, which has a small space that gets extremely crowded in the evening. Make sure you admire the jewellery of the Ganesha deity, it weighs around 80 kgs.
Just nearby this Ganpati you will find a vivid display of Puneri Patya – the sarcastic Puneri signboards. Just search around nearby, it’s very close to the Ganpati pandal. The display of these quirky Puneri signboards is definitely worth visiting and not to be missed.
No. 5. Kesariwada Ganpati – Manacha Pachva Ganpati
Kesariwada was the home of Lokmanya Tilak, the person who started this entire Ganesh festival. When you visit this Ganpati in Pune, make sure you also go inside the actual Kesariwada. The descendants of Tilak still live here. There is also a museum dedicated to Lokmanya Tilak.
Several live events are hosted inside the old home of this legendary leader during this 10-day festival. You will find the events timetable on the giant wooden doors, just have look if you find something that interests you.
Other notable must visit Ganpati in Pune
Apart from the above top 5 historic Manache Ganpati in Pune, you must also visit the below famous Ganpati in Pune.
6. Dagdusheth Ganpati temple
You may have heard a lot about the Dagdusheth cha Ganpati, the most famous Ganpati in Pune. But let me shock you by saying that it’s not really in one of these top 5 Ganpati in Pune. And there is a special reason for this fact. The top 5 Manache Ganpati are ancient places of worship and they are really old with a lot of history. Dagdusheth Ganapati temple also has historical importance, but it is a relatively new temple, as compared to the above 5 Manache Ganpati in Pune. Nevertheless it has one of the top notch decorations and any visit to Pune city is incomplete without visiting this temple.
7. Babu Genu
Babu Genu Mandal is just a little ahead of the Dagdusheth Ganpati’s pandal. You must take the road to the right side of the Kaka Halwai, to find this one. Every year they recreate some temples from other parts of India or some imaginary temple. The decoration is fantastic, and usually, they have garlands of INR currency notes around the Ganesha idol. There will also be an Ichapurti Kalash outside. People try to throw a coin inside this Kalash (bowl) and make a wish. This is one of the most beautiful and famous Ganpati in Pune.
8. Natu Baug
Natu Baug is well known for its larger-than-life colourful display of lights. Each year the number of lightbulbs here is increased. These lights are synchronized to form numerous colourful patterns which create a very unique display. This display runs in sync with some loud music. This type of scale and decoration cannot be found at any other Ganpati pandal in Pune. The show starts in the evening after sunset and runs continuously till midnight.
9. Shanipar Mandal
Shanipar Mandal is known to create a huge world of displays on the open ground that they have. Every year several artists and sculptors are brought here for around Maharashtra for this purpose. And the resulting art is mindblowing. I remember they had created a series of caves once with several unique sculptures inside, and we were supposed to walk from one cave to the next. It all ends in the last room where they keep the idol of Ganpati. You must not miss this Ganpati in Pune, it is very unique and mind-blowing every year. They also sometimes have live dramas which are stories taken from the history of Chp Shivaji Maharaj. They sometimes charge an entry ticket of a minimal amount. It is worth waiting in the queue, but if you are smart you can try to visit it in the morning.
10. Hatti Ganpati and Garud Ganpati
Both these Ganpati in Pune are close to each other in the same lane nearby to the Dyanprabodhini school.
Hatti Ganpati does a unique display which is one storey above the ground. This is designed in such a way that the traffic and vehicles can continue on the road below. The decorations are simplistic and beautiful. Last year they had done a replica of the famous Kedarnath temple.
Garud Ganpati sometimes makes replicas of other temples, or some imaginary display. But I remember a few years back they also had a live drama, which was really fun to watch.
There is a nice Khau galli nearby close to Dyanprabodhini school. And you foodies must have some Panipuri at Pandurang bhel or some Cheese bites at Anarse Samose shop.
11. Chp. Rajaram Mandal
This mandal always gives a tough competition to the Shanipar Mandal every year. And what’s more, they have consistently won the award for best Ganpati in Pune for several years. They are known to make a replica of otherfamous temples in India. I remember they had made Jejuri temple one year, then Pandharpur vitthal mandir in some other year. They had also made a replica of some south Indian temples. It is very very unique and beautiful. You MUST NOT miss this one.
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